AUSTRIA: Habsburg Hopes

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1926. One other possible pretender to the Habsburg throne (but of Hungary only) is the Archduke Albrecht, great-grandson of the brother of Franz Josef's grandfather. His claims, remote though they seem, are based on the fact that since the Treaty of Trianon, Hungary is theoretically free to choose any King she wants, and both branches of his family have lived in Hungary for at least two generations. Unfortunately for the schemes of Albrecht's mother, the Archduchess Isabella, who died in 1931, Albrecht renounced his rights four years ago (TIME, June 2, 1930).

Last week's resurgence of the restoration story was based on three facts:

i) Government workmen were sent to the former Imperial villa at Hetzendorf, a Vienna suburb, to put the place in order. Other much needed repairs were commenced on the rambling palace in Vienna, parts of which are now a museum and rented apartments.

2) As they have often done before, Austrian and Hungarian Monarchists met in Vienna for a conference, but for the first time in years were allowed to talk to the Press. Baron von Wiesner. who presided, was said to have declared: "The law passed by the former Socialist Government, banishing the Habsburgs from Austria, will be rescinded by the Cabinet within a month. The former Empress and Emperor Otto will return as soon as practicable.''