New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26


at his disposal by the King until in 1889 he I'M
fortunately permitted himself TO be inveigled
into visiting Constantinople. where he was kept
by the Sultan in sort Of gded captivity until
the day of his death
1t is difficult to say just who has been the chief
creditor of the Kings of Servia past and pres
ent. unless 1t be the head OF the great pawn
broking establishment at Vienna. where Milan
has repeatedly pledged his own jewels and those
Of his wife In order to pay his gambling debts. The
"benefactor' Of the Grand-dukes of the reign
ing house of Russia was the late Baron Feheisen.
The assistance. however. which he rendered with
an unsparing hand to the princes of the Cars
family eliminated in his ruin and death While
he was attending TIE funeral of the Belgian en-
voy and standing on tire brink Of the grave. he
suddenly gave lurch forward, and. before any
one could come to his assistance. fell headong
into It, When he taken out Ii was found
that life was extinct, and that death had been
caused. not by the fall but by dose Of poison.
self-administered. In fact, he had committed
suicide in consequence OF his inability TO meet
his engagements. the principal portion of his
nominally large assets being in the shape Of
promssory notes and bills of exchange bearing
the signatures Of the late Grand-duke Nicholas
Nicholaevitch and other spendthrift and impe-
cunious relatives Of the Car. AS the Muscovite
and bills signed by members of the Imperial
family not recoverable by any kind Of legal
process, the entire paper In question was abso-
lutely without any value.
King Leopold, although he assembled his throne
as of the wealthiest sovereigns in Europe,
has been from time to tt ne involved in financial
embarrassments in connection with his Congo
enterprise, and such occasions has been
fortunate enough to find "benefactors' ready to
tender assistance. Fol many years 1t was the
late Sir william Mackinnon. the leading mer-
chant Of the East Indian trade. He placed enor-
nous at the disposal of the Belgian mon
arch, and was his principal financial support in
the lamentable Congo adventure. The King
showed his appreciation by receiving him with
almost roy al honors whenever he came to Brus-
sells. by constantly running to England and
even up to Scotland for the purpose of seeking
his advice and perhaps pecuniary advances. and
made use OF his influence with the English Gov
eminent to secure for his "benefactor" the title
OF Baronet.
Since Sir Williams death his place has been
taken by Colonel North. known in London as
the Nitrate King. who is the recipient OF
much the same attention on the part Of the Bel
gian monarch that fell to the lot Of the great
Scotch merchant. Colonel North is self
made man. who does not include among his ster-
ling qualities either high breeding or refinement
Indeed. even his best friends are compelled TO
admit that he is appangly vulgar. II Is diff
cult therefore, to find any other reasons than
those Of a pecuniary character to account for
the close association that now exists between
the Belgian and the Nitrate King. the latter be-
ing frequently entertained by Leopold both at
Ostend and AT Brussels. In fact. II was only
the other day that mis- Belgian Majesty actually
# MIA palace
in the Ardennes at the disposal of the Colonel
in order to enable the latter to entertain there
at the Kings expense a party OF his own City
friends from London to shoot over the royal pre-
serves.
THE RICHEST PRINCE IN GERMANY"
The times have changed. indeed Nowadays
II ,s the emperors the kings and the princes OF
the blood who are compelled to run. metaphor
cally speGking hat in hand after the financial
magnatcs: whereas the latter in former ages no
matter how great theii wealth. were treated
with the most profound contempt. In fact with
much the same contumely- As people In these
DAYS regard the professional usurer or the pawn
broker; that is to say. when they do not stand IN
need OF their services Few Of the Amounted OF
the Lord are in d position TO show the same
spirit of independence that was manifested by
the late Prince OF Schaumburg-Lippe AT the con
gress OF German sOvereigns at Frankfort III
1863. AT one OF the great entertainments bN'"
by the Senate OF the free city OF Frankfort. the
metropolis OF the German Empire as then consti-
tuted all the rulers present were assembled In
reserved salon engaged In animated conversation
and in the absorption OF refreshments.
Suddenly they with one exception. rose 10
their feet and advanced to meet n small and IN
significant looking man who had just entered
the room. The Prince who had remained seated
was Adolph Of Schaumburg- Lippe
who is the fellow about whom you're making
all this fuss?' NJ growled 10 the Elector OF
Hesse.
Why don't you know him." replied the latter.
OTIS Baron Rothschild. Let make you ac-
quainted with him Surely you do not want 10
be the only one here who does not extend gra-
clous welcome to him.
And why not?" reforted Prince Adoiph
What do care about the fellow? don't owe
him anything" ana with this he kept his seat
and declined even to permit the Baron TO be pre-
scented 70 him.
He was the only one Of all the kings grand
dukes electors and sovereign princes present
who could afford to show his independence thus,
every one Of the others being indebted 10 the
Baron either regarded their personal fortune
or the finances of the nation over whlch they
ruled.
1t war owing to this attitude that Prince
Adolph used to be known TO the day OF his death
as the richest prince in all Germany; not be-
cause Of the size Of his personal fortune. wnich
was relatively moderate but because he han no
debts and was therefore absolved or any SUD-
serviency TO those putocratic powers known
by the name Of "benefactors
DOG DISCIPLE OF WALTON.