Page:Heinrich Karl Schmitt - The Hungarian Revolution - tr. Matthew Phipps Shiel (1918).djvu/28

 suddenly was seen everywhere the placard: "Long live the Republic!"

In the shop-windows revolutionary poems were to be read; appeals in tones the most varied met one everywhere, a whirlwind of exhortation: the Event, so indescribably sudden, was struggling for rapid ratification. The victory was so great, so startlingly rapid, and so dear, that men were impelled to secure it by all means, lest it should be exposed to the danger of an ebb.

At this hour were bruited the rumours, afterwards proved to be unfortunately true, of the chaotic conditions in Croatia, of shootings in Fiume, of robbery and plunder in Jugoslavia. The other rumours were for the most part inventions.

Toward midday the atmosphere grew clearer. The National Council had taken over the Executive power, and Court Kàrolyi was exercising it as Premier—and, in truth, as a quite legal Premier.

The King had appointed him by telephone through the intermediary of the Archduke Josef. Kàrolyi had related in detail to the Archduke the events of the night, and Josef of Hapsburg, as he is now called, had managed the affair in such a way, that Kàrolyi held one receiver of the telephone apparatus, as the King appointed him.

But it was clear that this appointment, intended to uphold the throne, was no longer capable of doing so, and it was only a question of hours for the Revolution to run its natural course.

There is a building in Ofen of a peculiar significance—the Platzkommando. On this building, when I went past it after a hasty meal, was exhibited even outwardly the rush of change. The imperial and royal coat-of-arms had been literally torn in two, and the Austrian half removed.

And the Königsburg—now the National Palace—bore on the side wall opposite the Premier's Office the National Tricolor; so also the palace of the Archduke Josef was beflagged in the national coloursAnd, even though this may seem laughable to the foreigner, this sight was monumental. I admit it is hard to understand: for what can be so surprising in the fact of the Royal Palace of a country carrying the national flag? Now, it is easy to explain this, quite easy.