Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/238

Courtesy of “The Americas.”

The Colonnade at Carlsbad.

After that William came less often; instead he sent his generals and worked through Czernin. Charles enjoyed himself immensely, whenever some German intrigue in the world was uncovered and Germany made ridiculous. He called the Stockholm socialist conference a fizzle; he had no confidence from the first in the outcome of Brest-Litovsk negotiations and referred to all such German schemes as comedies.

When Vienna realized that Berlin maintained close espionage over, happenings in the dual monarchy and the court, Charles decided to imitate the example. He sent confidential men to Germany; Count Hoyos served him in this capacity several times. When he got reports contradicting German official claims, Charles scoffed: “See, how they lie. They are fine allies; they did not want me to know this. We would not do that; we tell them just what the situation is.”

Finally Charles and Zitta had no more faith in the grandiloquent German schemes—bragging about the mighty offensive in the West left them cool and they were sceptical even about the early successes. When the offensive was turned into defeat, they said that William underestimated the Americans.

William was so domineering that he gave Charles instructions where to go and how to travel. When Charles went to Sophia in 1918, he sent him word that Zitta must stay at home, but Zitta to the surprise and consternation of official Berlin went with her husband.

Next to the Germans of Germany and Austria Magyars and Poles had thte main say in Vienna. There were many Poles at court and in all the high places. They influenced many decisions and were very popular with the Hapsburgs, because they were a nation with an aristocracy. The Poles never failed Austria; now and then they talked radically, but when the emperor called them in, said a few silly flatteries, promised some concessions, they were again at his service. The court counted ab-