Original scientific paper
THE LIPOŠĆAK AFFAIR
Tomislav Zorko
; Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
One of the main questions in the political life of the short-lived State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs was the question of its union with the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Montenegro. Numerous debates on the method of union and the political organization of the future state were carried out. During the course of the debates, two opposing standpoints concerning the organization of the new state emerged: unitarism and federalism. Opinions were also divided on the form of government: monarchism or republicanism. The supporters of unconditional union (the unitaristic-monarchical concept) wanted to ensure their own preponderance and frighten all possible opponents. As a result they used various forms of political pressure and maneuvers. In this respect the “Lipošćak affair” was ready to hand. The former Austrian general, Anton Lipošćak, was arrested under the suspicion that he organized and took part in a conspiracy against the newly established State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs. No court proceedings were led against General Lipošćak to explain that there was a lack of evidence. The affair was discovered and reached its peak at the time of the fateful session of the Council of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs at which the debate on union with the Kingdom of Serbia was carried out. In this context the Lipošćak affair aided in the discrediting of those political elements unsupportive of an unconditional union in the new Yugoslavian community.
Keywords
State of Slovenes; Croats; and Serbs; General Anton Lipošćak; Conspiracy
Hrčak ID:
103023
URI
Publication date:
31.10.2003.
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