Endre Tóth: The first restoration efforts of the Czechoslovak diplomacy and Charles Habsburg in Hungary (26th March 1921 – 5th April) (1. part)
The study’s topic is the most significant event of Hungary’s history between the two World Wars that had important effect not only on Czechoslovak-Hungarian relations of the period, but it had became alsó one of the most important international-political events of the first part of 1921. The mentioned event was the first restoration effort of the last Austrian emperor and the Hungárián king Charles Habsburg the IV. The goal of the study is to reconstruct the event’s circumstances mainly from the view of Czechoslovak-Hungarian relations, and/or to discuss the events about the arrival of the ex-king to Hungary in time order, mainly from the aspect of this adventurous step of Charles Habsburg and the activities and roles of the Czechoslovak diplomacy.
Post-war coexistence of Czechoslovakia and Hungary after the disintegration of the Austria-Hungary Monarchy, as it is well-known, was not characterised by mutual friendliness. After the creation of the independent Czechoslovakia and Hungary, the issue of determining borders, that is the territory issue became obviously the most important problem of the conflicts between the two neighbouring countries. At the same time, as another serious problem, the form of government of Hungary appeared between the problems. The rather weak Czechoslovak-Hungarian political relations established on the turn of years 1920 and 1921, of which first positive results were the bilateral Czechoslovak-Hungarian discussions on governmental levél in the Southern Austria, Bruck an der Leith, were very soon interrupted by an event that effected not only the bilateral relations of both countries: restoration efforts of Charles Habsburg.
Charles’ unexpected arrival to Hungary on 31st March on Thursday and on lst April on Friday was the topic of the Czechoslovak parliament’s meeting. Benes answering to interpellating representatives in connection with CzechoslovakHungarian discussions, called the arisen situation, in connection with Hungary’s credit and international position, a serious stroke. Czechoslovakia’s determined anti-Habsburg standpoint did not ease evén after the extraordinary meeting of the Hungárián National Council on lst April, during which the body unanimously positioned to anti-Habsburg standpoint. The Czechoslovak Foreign Minister tried to give an ultimátum together with the Yugoslav and Román party to the Hungárián government, of which goal was to demonstrate mutual activity.
Meanwhile the diplomatic activities of the Czech Foreign Minister, that was directed on the handing over of the „kisantant” ultimátum, the case of Charles’ departure from Hungary was solved. On 5th April the train departed Hungary with the ex-king. Consequently the leader of the Czechoslovak delegation informed Benes that the „handing over of the ultimate became void”.