Priceless Gift

Freighted with international import two bulky volumes, the Corvina Codices,* arrived last week at Budapest from Rome. Priceless, they had been neither bought nor sold. Down the years they have been a princely gift, transferred from one sovereign to another when great matters loomed. Four centuries ago they were the twin diadems of the great library of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, from whom they take their name. After the Turkish conquest (1526) they were the spoil of Sultans who admired the exquisite illuminations by Attavantes and Francesco del Cherico, but could not read the text, and therefore bequeathed the codices eventually to the Republic of Venice, whence they passed to Austria as a peace offering in 1847. At last, in 1919, Italy wrested them back from Austria-Hungary as part of her spoils from the World War. For Signor Mussolini to bestow two such hard won art treasures upon Hungary seemed a grand gesture made with a purpose. What purpose?

Restoration. The question of restoring the Hungarian Throne is rushing to a crisis. The people want a king. They already have a kingdom, a "kingless-kingdom" ruled by a regent. Premier Count Stephen Bethlen has mastered the Hungarian Parliament, and can cause it to elect any of the chief claimants to the throne -- but the Great Powers must be consulted.

Therefore Count Bethlen will go to Rome next month, ostensibly to conclude a treaty of friendship with Italy -- actually to discuss with Premier Mussolini which of the two chief Habsburg claimants to the throne of Hungary may be elected -- the boy or the man.

Boy Otto. The Vatican and His Most Catholic Majesty, Alfonso XIII of Spain, are solidly behind the candidacy of 14-year-old "Little Otto," Archduke of Habsburg, eldest son and legitimate heir of the late Emperor Karl. King Alfonso has given refuge to "Little Otto" since the War, has supplied his mother, onetime Empress Zita, with funds. Today the Archduke Otto is a handsome lad, busy with algebra, languages and the history of the country which he may be called upon to rule.

Man Albrecht. Premier Mussolini regards with no great liking the possible enthronement of a beardless boy obligated to the Vatican (See FRANCE) and Spain. Premier Bethlen, from kindred motives, allegedly favors the election of the Archduke Albrecht* of Habsburg, 29, a man, and a proven Hungarian patriot.

The Archduke Albrecht is only a third cousin once removed of the late Emperor Karl, but his popularity in Hungary is such as to practically insure his election over "Little Otto" if a fair vote can be taken. Albrecht's mother, shrewd Archduchess Isabella, has prepared his candidacy these many years with a deft political hand.

The Powers. Britain, reputedly, has no objection to the ascension of either Otto or Albrecht, though Signor Mussolini is alleged to have secured the special complaisance of Foreign Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain toward the candidacy of Man Albrecht. On the other hand, France looks askance at Albrecht for his entanglement in the "patriotic" but ill-advised Hungarian counterfeiting of French francs (TIME, Jan. 18, 1926).

Moreover, France would be none too well pleased to see any Habsburg on the throne at Budapest. If Premier Mussolini and Premier Bethlen are to succeed in settling the Hungarian dynastic problem they must work in closest harmony with their nationals.

Therefore, last week, the princely gift of codices was no more than shrewd. Rumor added that Il Duce will grant Hungary the substantial plum of an Adriatic outlet of Fiume, if other terms can be arranged to suit.

*"Codex" means "manuscript," but is employed to dignify the mention of specially ancient, valuable and often (as in this case) beautifully illuminated manuscripts, which may be on any subject.

*His espousal of Princess Giovanna of Italy, now mooted, would thus bring the proposed Hungarian Kingdom still further under Italian protection.