The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-16

About two years ago GIovANNI ANTONIO
LAsCARIs CoMNENA PAIKoLoGus, the last dc
scendant in the direct male line from THO
DoRE, the younger son OF MANUEL H., and
brother OF john PALKoLoGus H.. who alb
jufed the Greek faith for the Latin at the Coun-
Gil Of Florence, and OF the last Emperor Of the
East, CONSTANTINE Kill, who fell at the cap
ture Of Constantnople by the Turks In 1888, ap-
piled to the Pope for pecuniary aid on the
ground that he was the heir Of CONSTANTINE
the Great, and, ~ such. entitled To support
from the churches founded 10y that Emperor.
The Pope not being able to assist him. he COM
mcnced legal proceedings In May, 1874, against
the 1--WE great Basllicas or churches-the Lat
eran, st. Peter, 81. Paul without tue walls, santa
Croce ~ Gerusalcmme, and santa Agnese-which
were endowed by CONSTANTINE the Great. and
against the Government Commission which has
taken possession OF all the church property I'm
Rome. In the following seuember. however,
the Prince died, leaving his name and title to an
adopted daughter, called the Princess MARIA
LAsCARIs. who revived the suit. On July - last
the case came on before the tribunal of the first
instance, 10y which judgment was given against
the Princess. who then carried the case up to
the Court Of Appeal.
One strong feature In support OF the plain
tin IL the series OF recognitons. carefully
obtained by members OF the dispossessed
imperial family, both from the German En-
perors and from the Roman Senate, at in
tervas from the fall OF Constantlnople In
1853 to the year 1870. The FIRST Of these is d.
ploma given in 1891 by FREDERICK Ill. To ALoIsIo
BLANCo PALEoLoGus, In which all his rights are
fully set forth and he Is described as the son OF
MANUEL PETER. the son Of THEODORE PORPHY-
RooHSrTUs. fourth son Of MANUEL H., ninety
eighth Emperor Of the East. The descendants
OF this ALoIsto BLANCo were formally recog
nized In turn 10y the Emperors FERDISAND l.,
MAXLMILIAN H., FERDINAND H., LEOPOLD, and
/ lastly by CHARLES VI. In l,20 and the Roman
| Senate as we'll as many Of the Popes, from time
| TO time recognized the imperial family of PALE
| oLOGUs. The last Princc-the one who adopted
the present plaintin-obtained confirmation
OF his pretensipns from the Senator and Conser-
vators Of Rome In 1862 in order to be able 10
claim support under the old jus p1trOndtis from
the pious foundations Of the great CONSTANTINE.
In the bill Of complaint no specific sum is ask
ed for, the amount being left with the sueges-
tion that It should be commensurate with the
distinguished rank Of the plaintiff AS the heir
Of CONSTANTINE: and the case Of the widow of
| Prince MURAT, who obtained from the French
| Chamber an annnity Of lO101O francs Is cited.
The Court Of Appeal has decided that the
| Princess has not proved her descent from Cos
| sTANTISE, and secondly, that the Italian law
| having abolished the jus pdtrOndtus, undel
which she claimed relief, the consequences OF
that law are also imperative. An appea
has been taken to the final court, that OF
Cessation, where II will be urged In her be
half that the plaintiff, having proved her de
scent from MANUEL H., her right to inherit N
an heir OF CONSTANTINE is thereby established
and that the jus p1,rOndii still remains in force
regarding endowments established for the cure
OF souls, the purpose for which the B,sllic rs
were endowed by CoNsrANTINE, and which the!
stlll continue To serve.