Page - 901 - in THE FIRST WORLD WAR - and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1914 – 1918

The ‘Parma Conspiracy’ 901 written note that Czernin had given Prince Sixtus. Once again, Czernin thought he could lecture and expose the French Prime Minister. However, then, the ‘Agence Havas’ published a report with reference to Clemenceau to the effect that Emperor Karl had recognised France’s right to Alsace-Lorraine in writing. Emperor Karl indignantly denied the reports. It was all a lie. He would not agree to further discussions with such a ‘type as Clemenceau’. The French then published the letters. Karl claimed they had been forged, and at the same time adjured his Foreign Minister to take responsibility for the letters and for the affair. Czernin refused to do so. He threatened suicide and again brought home to Karl the prospect of the Ger- mans marching into Bohemia and Tyrol.2154 And then, Czernin went all out. He not only wanted to oust the Monarch from the area of foreign policy, but to silence him in the political arena entirely. He therefore suggested that Karl withdraw from power for a period of time and transfer the regency either to Archduke Friedrich or Archduke Eugen.2155 In this regard, he believed that among the Habsburgs, the dynastic interest had already clearly begun to wear off. Archduke Friedrich and his wife, Archduchess Isabella, who were both very far from being ardent admirers of the Emperor, but rather tended to view their nephew with scepticism, had immediately beforehand told the German Plenipotentiary General, Cramon, that ‘the dynasty of the House of Habsburg’ was ‘facing the abyss’, and ‘the dissolution of the Danube Monarchy […] [was] inevita- ble’ if no sudden turnaround were to occur.2156 As early as 14 April 1918, a conference of ministers was planned in order to discuss the regency. However, in the interim, Karl had found new self-confidence  – clearly thanks to the Empress  – and refused to accept his ‘enforced rest’. After a severe argu- ment, Czernin submitted his resignation. The questions surrounding the Sixtus Affair actually centre around two problems : on the one hand, whether it amounted to the Habsburg treason that German historians in particular  – including a certain Gerhard Ritter  – have been keen to portray. And on the other, whether in the interest of the Monarchy and in light of the fact that he was not only Foreign Minister, but also Minister of the Imperial and Royal Household, Czernin should not have taken on the responsibility himself.2157 In evaluating the Ger- man position, it should be taken into account that it made little sense to reproach Em- peror Karl for his desire for peace, which had never been concealed. Alsace-Lorraine was never sacrosanct, even in the deliberations made by German politicians. Czernin himself, who had suddenly become a hero for the Germans, had also brought the issue of Alsace-Lorraine to the table in the spring of 1917. Karl was also, as, for example, his second letter to Sixtus shows prepared to relinquish territory on the part of Austria. Finally, it should also not be overlooked that all this had happened in the spring of 1917. However, when it came to Czernin’s attitude, it should be considered that he was forced to choose between loyalty to the Emperor and other responsibilities. Robert A.