Monday, June 15, 2009

Prince Sixtus in talks for Austrian throne




June 16, 1933

The AP reports today on five private cable messages received in New York, which tell "of a move backed by France, Italy and Czechoslovakia to induce King Alexander of Yugoslavia to settle the Croatian question in such a way as to make possible restoration on the Austro-Hungarian monarchy."
The source of the information is a "close adviser of Archduke Otto," who is the heir to the throne. The source has told the AP that Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma, who is the brother of Empress Zita of Austria (Otto's mother) is now in Belgrade "to negotiate with the Yugoslavian ruler as confidential agent of the French government."
According to the information, "Sixtus carries assurances that Italy fully supports in this manoeuvre." He has sold been "charged with informing" King Alexander that Czechoslovakia "favors restoration of the Habsburg dynasty as the best means of preventing the union of Austria with Germany." In the event of a possible "Anschluss," Czechoslovakia "would find her western portion surrounded on three sides by Austro-German territory."

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