The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-24

duke Franz Ferdinand dEsie, who be-
came presumptive successor 10 the throne
on the death Of Archduke Rudolf AS
Franz Charles is only four years old. this
means that the Emperor is preparing 10
have himself succeeded by a regent in
the person Of his youngest daughter. On
the other hand, there were some indiea-
lions OF late that the Emperor was will
ing 10 have Franz Ferdinand desc sue
coed him.
A speedy settlement OF the question Is
certainly necessary. At one time il was
thought ina; the emperor would be sue
ceeded by his brother. Archduke Charles
Louis. bu, death took the Archduke on
May 19 1896. A few days later Archduke
Albrecht Salvador. son OF the late Carl
Salvador, also died. The Archduke FrahZ
Ferdinand has NOT been OF late in the
best Of health, and al one time il was
thought tina. consumption would surely
carry him off. His younger brother Otto
stands mex, in order OF procession. but
ne is very unpopular. aid there are in
dications that ne has no desire to be-
come the ruler OF Austria Hungary.
Franz Ferdinand, on the other hand, has
taken a great interest lately in imperial
affairs-even as late as June he urged
the Emperor 20 allow him 10 take his
place before the world as Crown Prince.
At the came time the rumor spread thai
ne was about 10 marry the daughter of
Kari Theodor.. Duke OF BAVARIA one OF
the most popular OF the South German
princess.
From every point Of view Franz Josef's
position is a most delicate one. He has
many kinsmen. but even If he had the
power Il is doubtful If he could find one
AMONG them well fitted 70 succeed him.
Archduke Josef, commander Of the Hun
garian Honved army, is a fine soldier
and scnolar-no man living knows more
about gypsies than he does-but there is
no evidence that ne is fl 20 be Emperor
or that he would accept The position IL
Il were offered him. Again, there is The
Archduke Louis Salvador, cousin 10 the
Emperor, and also cousin 10 the Queen
Regent of Spain, who has left the gay
ETY. Of court life and taken up his abode
in Msjorca, one of the Bsluric Islands,
thoroughly enjoys himself with his books
his art treasures aid his yacht. Such
man would evidently be loath 20 ex-
change the pleasures Of mis- island home
for the pomp and splendor OF an imper-
ial palace in Vienna.
NAUGHTY ARISTOCRATS.
Franz Ferdinand seemed TO be the log
zeal successor, but il it is true that ne
married last week in London "a middle
class lady from kohischeldt. near Aix-la-
Chapelle" his chances of OBTAINING the
crown have certainly diminished. There
IS no aristocracy in Europ which is
quite as naughty or as punc,iliOus about
matters OF etiquette as the Austo-Hun-
gariah and the members of that body
would certainly not be inclined 10 &C
knowledge as their sovereign any one
who had married beneath him. Indeed,
such a marriage would deprive the heir
presumptive OF the rights OF succession.
Splendid noblemen these aristocrats are.
and woe 10 any one among them who
wiIfully proves false to the traditions OF
his order. For example. lei the rumor
ry some one who is not OF the prest blood
and straightway all possible ostacles will
be placed in mis- path. These aristOcrats
are loath 10 believe that the heir pre-
eumptive has married "a midle class
lady" and one WHO was formerly a
housekeeper Of Herr Krupp. and they
have taken pains to publish an itinerary
h. 1at in
London last week. On the other hand
We are a sured that Franz Ferdinand
met the lady in Essen aid that she and
he have gone together 20 Algiers.
Those who assume the story TO be true
think it very possible that the Archduke
was influenced by motives which seemed
70 him TO be excellent. He must have
known. say these persons, that his ascen-
sion to the throne would hot be popular
owing TO his delicate real.h, and in any
case it is more than likely that he has
no desire TO become Emperor. Being
immensely rich. he can afford 10 do as
he plesses. and. being a Hapsburg, he
may prefer to mary the woman of his
choice aid to pass mis- days IN compara-
tive seclusion rather than be we'd 10 some
potentate's daughter selected for him by
ene Austrian court and 20 reign as euzer-
ian OF Austria and Hungary.
One thing is certain-the Austrian sue
cession is likely 10 become some day a
question OF first rate Importance in Eur
ope. VIII the Emperor try 20 secure the
crown for his daughter, Archduchess
Marie Valerie, or for her son, or viii
Archduke Louis take The place OF Franz
Ferdinand? The later was married a
Dresden IN 1856 20 Marie Josepha. Prin-
cess OF Saxony. and hence is presumably
blind 10 all charms Of middle class lad
les. Those VINO know him. however. say
that ne has no desire % sep into Franz
Josef's sfroes. and. even IL ne has. il Is
by no means certain that the people 1f
Austria and Hungary would take kindly /
- the notion OF having him as their
iisgs lord. He is assuredly unpopular, |
and This is doubtless one reason why the 4
Emperor is 50 anxious % find a fitting !
successor . he crown before ne dies.
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