New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
PRINCES WHO FIGHT.
DON ANTONIO EULALIE'S HUSBAND.
WANTS A CHANCE IN CUBA
OTHERS WHO HAVE WON
DISTINCTION

simultaneously with the report OF the eloquent
eneech of Marshal Martinez Campos in the Senate
A. Madrid in favor OF the concession Of such re-
forms TO Cuba would put end to war
which is costing Spain more than 10000 lives
and 500 600 900 every year. comes the news that
Don Antonio, husband OF the Infanta Euale. has
volunteered for active service in the island. once
known as the Pearl OF the Antilles" and that
he is using all the influence that ne bring TO
bear TO obtain some command on the Western
Trocha where he would have opportunity Of
fghting the insurgent legtons Of Maceo. While
one may De tempted to question both the policy
and the sense If justice Of the Prince in the mat
ter 1t is difficult to blame him for seeking to avail
himself OF one Of the rare opportunities within his
reach ~ winning fame and distinction the bat
tlefeld.
In olden times monarchs and princes Of the
blood were always supposed TO be In the fore
front Of the battle the plumes OF their helmets
serving as banner for their troops 10 follow. as
for instance, at 1vry. when the white plume OF
King Henry Of Navarro the rallying point
OF his followers in the thick of the melee That
Indeed was the origin and basis of the monarch
'acal system. namely. leadership in war. But in
those modern times different ideas prevail. Sow
eregns longer charge in the of their troops.
as IN the days Of yore but remain in the rear of
the army II, indeed. they accompany the latter
a, all while princes of the blood are kept as far
as possible in the background the utmost
being as rule observed to keep them beyond
the range Of any possible harm danger. To
such an extent is their immunity from injury
Carded as a matter of vital Importance that there
are many commanders who would sooner risk de-
feat than the life OF scion OF royalty committed
70 their charge realizing full well that while the
sovereign who as the Fountain Of Honor" is
the dispenser OF all honors and promotions. may
possibly pardon the loss Of battle such in
diligence will be accorded in the case of the loss
OF a and dear relative which is sufficient 10
create an iIremovable grudge in the mind of the
monarch against the unfortunate General.
No better instance need he cited than the case OF
General Lord Chelmsford. the memory Of whose
disastrous defeat at Isaniula completely
overshadowed by the fact that the young French
Prince Imperial killed while serving under
his orders And during the war Of the English
against Arabs insurgents in Egypt. in 1852, when
the Duke Of Connaught, third and favorite son
Of Queen Victoria, was placed in command Of
the brigade OF Guards, the principal source of
anxiety 10 General Lord Wolseley and to the mem
bers Of his staff was the safety and welfare Of
the Duke. and they were terrified beyond measure
lest anything should happen 10 him Now, as
rule royal princes are just as plucky as other
men and quite as anxious TO show their courage
and 10 perform acts OF valor and gallantry 50
they naturally do their best to get into danger
whenever the chance presents itself. and the Cen
eral in command has. therefore, his hands full
IN keeping them out Of harms way and is COM
PEELED to exercise no end of tact in preventing
them from risking their precious lives.
It is for this reason that every kind Of obstacle
IS placed in the way of royal persorages eager
~. eel 80 h,@t and +ha
opportunities that afforded them of display
ing their gallantry in action are few and far be-
tween. Indeed, at the present moment there
is but one monarch in Europe who can show
the scar Of a wound received in war. 1t is King
Humbert- The latter. at the battle Of Custozza,
which resulted disastrously for the Italians,
deavored in vain TO stem the tide Of defeat,
throwing himself repeatedly into the very thick
Of II and giving evidence Of courage that can
only be described heroic Bleeding from a
severe sabre cut, he at length literally
swept off the field Of battle b., his fathers Off
GERS and by his own friends who fully realized
the irreparable injury that would be sustained
by Italy in the event Of the popular heir 10 the
throne tas he was them being either killed or
captured.
Should Duke William OF Wurtemberg, now in
his sxty-etghth year, who stands next in the
line OF succession TO the throne Of Wurtemberg
survive the present King who is without male
issue he will share the distinction at present
enjoyed by King Humbert. OF being the only
reirning OCCUPANT Of a throne who show the
scars Of wounds received in action Old Duke
William is without exception, the most bat
tered scion Of royalty in Europe. During his
long military career in the Austrian Army he
has been repeatedly wounded. and has found
himself IN the surgeons hands at the end OF
almost every battle in which he has been en-
raged He was wounded in the of 1SiS;
again in the war of 1859 against France and
the war Of 1863 with Prussia while during the
Bosnia Herzegovina campaign he also received
a slight injury. Not content with this he has
broken almost every bone in his body from col
lar-bone to ankle by accidents in either riding
or driving He is well acquainted with the Uni
ted States having spent considerable time in
this country for the purpose of visiting and IN
specting the battlehelds Of the Civil War. may
add that he IS one Of the few knights Of the
Order Of Maria Theresa, rare distinction.
which he received by way OF recognition OF the
gailantry which he displayed at the battle or
Magenta where. Selling the flag or the inlantry
regiment which he commanded, he galoped III
fr5nt Of his men right into the very thick OF the
fray. ,,s , 49,
action OF the last between Russia ana lur-
KEY But with these four exceptions namely,
King Humbert Duke William Of Wurtemoers.
the Russian Grand Duke in question, ana the
Prince Imperial Of France. there Is no record OF
any ROYAL or imperial parsonage having Deeh
esther Killed or wounded in battle since the close
OF the Napoleonic wars at tho beginning OK the
century. -.
In Cuba. Don Antonio will find couple OF
Young kinsmen serving under the orders of cap
ta,n-C;eneral Wevler They the eldest sons