OTTO VON HAPSBURG; KRONIKA; SECURITY MATTER

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005642369
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: March 21, 2011
• Case Number: F-2011-00131
• Publication Date: March 17, 1944

the Bureau.
? ttuc"r-?T:en1
For your information there are attached hereto photostatic
copies of a -memorandum received under date of February 113, 1944, fro&
taeroreign Nationalities Branch of the Office of .;trate,ic .3erviees
concerned with a ne.i Iiun;arian 1anL;ua,;e .uonthly publication naffed
1rkronika..sr You will note that it is alleged that publication is being
launched as as organ for propa4;andizing the political movement of .,rein
duke Otto von Hapsburg amongst the Hungarians.
.- ?- j- Lo active investigation concerning this natter is being
regne ed of your office but it is desired that you remain ?f alert er for any
dater an intelligence nature concerning it which a~Y
C~1C~iisIrF?U":ix;
t
York Larch 17, 1944
J. ;;;dgar Hoover - Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
APPROVED FOR
RELEASEL DATE:
11-Mar-2011 .
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FOREIGN NAT ! ONAL=rT'1nnItTjf~~n' P aro`'~ If THE UN I TED STATES
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talho*lecd por~
MEMORANDUM TO T 1aW.D?IREC'T0R OF STRATEG-IC SERVICES
FROM THE FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRANCH _
A NEW HABSBURG PUBLICATION
pretender, was launched in the form of a Hungarian-language monthly
named Kront z. Its appearance -is believed to*signa) a definite shift-
IN NEW YORK last month a new organ for Archduke Otto, the Habsburg
burg journalistic projects in the United States.
18 February 0944
The appearance of a Hungarian-language journal
devoted to the Habsburg cause is taken to mean
that Archduke Otto is beginning to look for sup-
port to Hungarians more than to Austrians. The
present venture is the latest In a -series of Habs-
Ingo at least for the time being, of Otto's hopes for the future from
Austria to Hungary.
The considerable support which Otto, in the absence of any other
exile, of comparable personal weight, has had in the past from Austrian
refugees was motivated in part by traditional all-egiance, but more
cogently by a conviction that a Habsburg solution would be best for
Austria In the minds of nearly ail, Austria came first Evidence.
has been accumulating for some time that Otto has not by the conduct
of his political affairs requited the confidence which his Austrian
followers placed in him, The failure of the Austrian battalion in the
United States Army and the "military. commission" set up by Otto in that
connection was a definite blow to his prestige.
C O M F I n E N T I" L
\?
A 1 1 /
.
on is pr
r .r
S.5
 HUMDER B-159
in the face of this development Otto (who appears to be incapable
of patient waiting and must engage always in positive action of some
kind) turned his thoughts to Hungary, it seems fair to surmise. The
Hungarians have never felt as keen a loyalty to the Habsburgs as have
the Austrians. Most Hungarian leaders of the right wing, it is thought,
prefer the form.of monarchy and therewith a regent of their own choice,
after the pattern of the existing Horthy Governments However, Otto has
had material support from Hungarian sources in the paste A group of
Hungarian magnates supplied him with money when he was in Belgium during
the `thirties, and-it is possible that money has also been reaching Otto
from Hungarian sources since he has been here.
The Hungarian community in the United States, numbering a little
more than half a million, is made up chiefly of industrial laborers. The
number of individuals who have achieved wealth and influence is small.
The belief is current, however, among some of Otto's former Austrian sup-
porters that he has nevertheless succeeded in winning some financial. help
from Hungarian-Americans for the purpose of publishing irontki and that
he is contributing also from other funds which are at his disposal oer--
sonally.
Con krx The new periodical, $ron. t ka., is a 12-page tabloid-
size journal published at 307 Fifth Avenue, New York.
It is edited by Sandor Tarcz; formerly associated with the Anertkot ilo oar
Nepszovoo the leading Hungarian nationalist and revisionist organ in the
United States.
Making its legitimist character altogether clear, a full-page portrait
of the Archduke Otto begins this first issue, dated 15 Januarys The
OFF ICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
(FOREIGN RATIONALITIES BRANCH
 HUMDER B-fl5~ - $ fl9 ~EBRllARY _19d~i
remainder of the issue is devoted less to current political news than to
nostalgic reminiscences of the Habsburgs. There are, for example, two
articles on the Archduke Otto's father, Emperor Charles, American monu-
ments in Budapest form the subject of another item. Reproduced in full
is a speech made by Otto toward the end of last year at Toledo, emphasiz-
ing disagreement with the official Hungarian policy which led Hungary into
the present difficult position but exonerating the Hungarian people, An
article on the launching of a Liberty ship named after the Hungarian patri-
ot Louis Kossuth is reprinted, without credit, from the Azer1lrbt 1I601yar
Nepszrp )o.
The "business man" of the publication is understood to be Etienne de
Hedry, a former Hungarian diplomat and Otto?s Hungarian "Aide-de-camp."
De Hedry, who is married to a wealthy American woman, developed a close
friendship with the Habsburg family while serving as Hungarian Minister
to Belgium,
ing1 Ltbernttorz, which is financed by the formerly Austrian inventor and
engineer, Antoine,G ___
Following the discontinuance of the Votce or Austria and the transfer
of Franz Klein into the pay of Taro Gazda; the Archduke Otto appeared to
Archduke Otto has previously launched' several ven--
Other Ventures
into journat issa' tares in English- ' language journalism,, During 1941-43
a monthly magazine entitled Voice of Austria was
edited for Otto by - rant. ,Klein, a very able and perhaps. not too dependable
Austrian journalist, who worked for many years with Swiss newspapers.
Klein has been in the United States and Canada since 1941, and-is now edit-
FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRANCH
 have started a project for another English-language paper which would
support the Habsburg cause without too manifest a commitment. It was
about a year ago.that Otto set up an Austrian news service with Dr.
Theodore'Schmidt as Washington representative and L. C,1Collins of New
York City. a' s business manager. Schmidt, a man of unsavory reputation
who has been indicted for failure to register as a pre-Pearl Harbor Jap-
anese agent, was introduced to the Archduke by Walter von Schuschn i gg,
a cousin of the former Austrian Chancellor and one of Otto's most in-
domitable followers. The news service was discontinued for reasons un-
known.
Several months ago the idea of an English-language Habsburg publ i-
cation was revived Otto discussed the project with Egon Ranshofen-
Wertheimer, professor of international affairs at American University
in Washington, who styles himself "Permanent Delegate" of the now dormant
Austrian National Committee which was deserted by the non-monarchists
more than a year ago, It was decided at first that one of the Arch-
duke's younger brothers should sit on the editorial committees 'An
Austrian Jewish refugee engaged in the import-export business, Fred
CharlesfGlatzer, was chosen as a "front," because he had been a publisher
of trade journals and was considered a man with newspaper experiences
The research editor was to be Dr. Leopold Kohr of the.Carnegie Endowment
Fund.
Glatzer paid a visit to the Department of Justice in December to ex-
plain that he was planning to issue a non-political Austrian bulletin,
devoted for the most part to general news items of underground Austria.
OFF ICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRANCH
 18 FEBRUARY 1944
He inquired about registration under the Foreign Agents Registration
Act. At first he was reticent about acting on behalf of the Austrian
monarchists, intimating that the publication was his own idea. The
funds were to come from a Mr. Svwift, described as a lumber man in Alex-
andria, Virginia.
Later more details were revealed; it came out that Walter von
Schuschnigg and Theodore Schmidt were the originators of the proposal.
After its Habsburg background was disclosed, Glatzer, who expresses
the intention of becoming an American citizen, grew anxious to disas-
sociate himself from the project, which has now apparently been shelved.
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
FOREIGN HATIOUALITIES BRANCH
C0N AL
 usc 11 a-? c, 50
FOREIGN NAT! ONAL 4W iZi PIT?d` N t3 THE UN ITED STATES
r?n^-~t 1,, fna of
cnV m -nno ,~ an
MEMORANDUM TO T iar~ b`0R 'CC*OR pr-I~bfFtNi STRATEGIC SERVICES
FROM THE FOREIGN NATIONA-LITIES BRANCH
O 11 F T n r .. __
A L
Fin document containq informa+'oa
affrr' dug 'ho na o^al d
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, s of
{.,o 'Jni'oa .11
r ...if''In ~4v
Number B-159 18 February 1944
A NEW HABSBURG PUBLICATION
The appearance of a Hungarian--language journal
devoted to the Habsburg cause is taken to mean
that Archduke Otto is beginning to look for sup-
port to Hungarians more than to Austrians. The
present venture Is the latest In a series of Habs-
burg journalistic projects in the United States.
IN NEW YORK last month a new organ for Archduke Otto, the Habsburg
64*
pretender, was launched in the form of a Hungarian-language monthly
named Iron Um.. Its appearance-is believed to signal a definite shift-
ing, at least for the time being, of Otto's hopes for the future from
Austria to Hungary,
The considerable support which Otto, in the absence of any other
exile of comparable personal weight, has had in the past from Austrian
refugees was motivated in part by traditional allegiance, but more
cogently by a conviction that a Habsburg solution would be best for
Austrian In the minds of nearly all, Austria came first.. Evidence
has been accumulating for some time that Otto has not by the conduct
of his political affairs requited the confidence which his Austrian
followers placed in him. The failure of the Austrian battalion in the
United States Army and the "military commission' set up by Otto in that
connection was a definite blow to his prestige.
CO
 NUMBER 8.159 ? 2 18 FERRUARY 1944 -
In the face of this development Otto (who appears to be incapable
of patient waiting and must engage always in positive action of some
kind) turned his thoughts to Hungary, it seems fair'to surmise. The
Hungarians have never felt as keen a loyalty to the Habsburgs as have
the Austrians. Most Hungarian leaders of the right wing, it is thought,
prefer the form of monarchy and therewith a regent of their own choice,
after the pattern-of the existing Horthy Governments However, Otto has
had material support from Hungarian sources in the past. A group of
Hungarian magnates supplied him with money when he was in Belgium during
the ?thirties, and it is possible that money has also been reaching Otto
from Hungarian sources since he has been here,
The Hungarian community in the United States, numbering a little
more than half a million, is made up chiefly of industrial laborers. The
number of individuals who have achieved wealth and influence is small.
The belief, is current, however, among some of Otto?s former Austrian sup-
porters that he has nevertheless succeeded in winning some financial help
-from Hungarian--Am ricans for the purpose of pub) ishing Xronika and that
he is contributing also-from other funds which are at his disposal per-
sonally.
grontke The new periodical, Ifronfko, is a 12-page tabloid-
size journal published at 307 Fifth Avenue. New York.
It is edited by Sandor Tarcz? formerly associated with *the Anerikof Nogyar
Nepazoun, the leading Hungarian nationalist and revisionist organ in the
United States.
Making its legitimist character altogether clear, a full-page portrait
of the Archduke Otto begins this first issue, dated 15 January. The
OFFICE OF STRAYEG IC SERV ICES
FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRANCH
 10 FEBRUARY 1944
remainder of the issue is devoted less to current political news than to
nostalgic reminiscences of.the Habsburgs~ There are, for example, two
articles on the Archduke Otto's father, Emperor Charles, American monu-
ments in Budapest form the subject of another item, Reproduced in full
is a speech made by Otto toward the end of last year at Toledo, emphasiz-
ing disagreement with the official Hungarian policy which led Hungary into
the present difficult position but exonerating the Hungarian people, An
article on the launching of a Liberty ship named after the Hungarian patri-
ot Louis Kossuth is reprinted, without credit, from the A,Yerikai IJaoyor
Neps2dua,
The "business man" of the-publication is understood to be Etienne do
Hedry, a former Hungarian diplomat and Otto's Hungarian "aide-de-camp,"
Da Hedry, who is married to a wealthy American woman, developed a close
friendship with the Habsburg family while serving as Hungarian Minister
to Belgium,
~~har T~erc2uras Archduke Otto has previously launched several ven-
into Journalism tures in Engl ish-language journal ism. During 1941-43
a monthly magazine entitled Voice of Austria was
edited for Otto by'Franz Klein, a very able and perhaps not too dependable
Austrian journalist, who worked for many years with Swiss newspapers.
Klein has been in the United States and Canada since 1941, and- Is now edit-
ing Liberation, which is financed by the formerly Austrian inventor and
engineer, Antoine Gazdab
Fallowing the discontinuance of the voice of Austria and the transfer
of Franz Klein into the pay of Mr, Gazda, the Archduke Otto appeared to
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRAfICH
 ?
have started a project for another English-language paper which would
support the Habsburg cause without too manifest a commitment. It was
about a year ago that Otto set up an Austrian news service with Or,
Theodore Schmidt as Washington representative and L. C. Collins of New
York City as business manager. Schmidt, a man of unsavory reputation
who has been indicted for failure to register as a pre-Pearl Harbor Jap-
anese agent, was introduced to the Archduke, by-Walter von Schuschnigg,
a cousin of the former Austrian Chancellor and one of Otto?s most in-
domitable followers. The news service was discontinued for reasons,un-
known,
Several months ago the idea of an Engl ish--language Habsburg publi-
cation was revived. Otto discussed the project with Egon Ranshofen-
Wertheimer, professor of international affairs at American University
in Washington, who styles himself "Permanent Delegate" of the now dormant
Austrian National Committee which was deserted by the non-monarchists
more than. a year ago. It was decided at first that one of the Arch-
duke's younger brothers should sit on the editorial committee0 An
Austrian Jewish refugee engaged in the import-export business, Fred
Charles Glatzer, was chosen as a "front," because he had been a publisher
of trade journals and was considered a man with newspaper experience,
The research editor was to be Dr. LeopoldKohr'of the Carnegie Endowment
Fund,
Giatzer paid a visit to the Department of Justice in December to ex
plain that he was planning to issue a non-political Austrian bulletin,
devoted for the most part to general news items of underground Austria.
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRANCH
C0
N
 s
He inquired about registration under the Foreign Agents Registration
Act. At first he was reticent about acting on behalf of the Austrian
monarchists, intimating that the publication was his own?idea.' The
funds were to come from a Mr. Swift, described as a lumber man in Alex-
andria, Virgini'ao
Later more details were revealed; it came out that Walter von
-Schuschnigg and Theodore Schmidt were the originators of the proposal
After its Habsburg background was disclosed, Glatzer,. who expresses
the intention of becoming an American citizen, grew anxious to disas-
sociate himself-from the project, which has now apparently been shelved.
OFFICE Or STRATEGIC SERVICES
FOREIGN NATIONALITIES BRANCH