Diet Speaker: I have received the following communication from the Kaiser:

Quote Originally Posted by Kaiser Henry
I am happy to assign Venice and Budapest to the House of Austria.

I understand there was an agreement between my father and my brother Leopold that Venice would become part of Austria. I am pleased to honour this agreement. However regardless of that undertaking, I would anyway assign Venice to Austria as a reward for Duke Leopold's fine leadership of the Reich as Chancellor. I know he has long been interested in Italian politics and am happy to indulge that interest.

In the case of Budapest, I believe this was taken by the Austrian Household army and anyway, given its location, in future, it would most rationally be defended by that army.

Once again, I thank Duke Leopold for his service and hope his successor will be able to match his achievements.