New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-25

Birstein are exempt from the jurisdiction Of
ordinary tribunals this in itself constituting
bar to employment. since naturally no business
man would De willing 20 take into his service
a man against whom there were none of the
ordinary means # legal redress in the event
Of his wrongiong. - tie Prince wrote to the
Fmperors of Austria and Germany. notifying
them that - only had he waived his rights TO
his fathers succession in favor Of his infant
nephew. but that likewise he wished TO be r.
Heved OF his title and the various prerogatives
and obligations Of his rank as a ~loble Of one
Of the mediatized houses Of the German Empire.
rcsigning into the hands of the Kaiser the COM
mission as an officer Of the Cuirassier Guards
which ike all princes of mediati2cd houses, he
had received On obtaining his majority as
right Of birth.
\ PRINCE BECOMES CLERK IN \ BANK
Emperor William responded to this by reliey-
ing the Prince Of his commission as captain
of Curassier Guards. but granted him instead
the rank Of an officer Of the reserve in the tNth
Infantry Regiment As officer Of the crack regi-
ment of Cuirassiers by virtue Of his position as
Prince Of mediatized house, he was under
no obligations to serve in the event Of war. or
to do any kind Of military duty with his regi-
these being merely Of honorary character
for the purpose Of investing its holder with the
right 90 wear certain uniforms. But as re-
serve officer Of the 18th Infantry Regiment the
ex-Prince who has now become Mr.. Leopold
Birstein is subject to the obligations Of com
pulsory military service. to which ali ordinary
German citizens are bound will have TO DO
duty with his new regiment for a short time
each year and will he forced to serve II
whether he likes il or not in the event OF war.
In short although il sounds paradoxical, the
very first obligation which the eXPrince has as
sumed on becoming ordinary citizen IS that
Of compulsory military service. Mr.. Biz
stein who has the right to address the En-
peror Of Austria as uncle and the various mem
Iers Of the regnng House Of Hapsburg as
cousins has now entered Berlin bank as an
ordinary clerk at a small stipend ana hopes
/ by strict attention to business. good conduct
and steadiness to rise eventually TO the posi-
ton Of manager. with the prospect OF attain
ing the rank Of "Commerzienrath.' or ttular
Counsellor Of Commerce. as the climax Of
successful business career.
4 few years ago Count Henry Won Stolberg
Wernigrode created in the sanre manner a con
siderable sensation throughout Germany by
asking for permission from Prince StolbeTg' the
head Of his family and from the Kaiser. - nave
his name eliminated from the list Of The mem
bers Of The House Of Stoiberg in idenucdlIy the
same way as the name Of Archduke JoAh ol
Austria was on his own demand eliminated 10y
decree Of Emperor Francis Joseph from the
roster Of the imperial family If 1apshurg. AS
/ in the case Of Archduke John. who adopted the
name Of John Orth. in the case of Count
Henry Won Stoiberg, the motive Of his abandon
ment Of his title and rank. as well as all his
social legal and official prerogatives as the
member of a mediatized house Of the German
nobility. remains more or less Of a mystery.
To-day the Count is known by the name of
Henry Stoppelberg.
TITLES CANNOT BE RESUMED.
once these titles are thus surrendered they
can never be reassuned as one Of the Counts
Fink Won Finkenstein found to his cost last
wear He had with the sanction OF the EN-
petor. surrendered his title and his rank as "A
member Of the historic house Of FinkersjeIn IN
order to marry a woman # questonabI' ante
cedents Later On becoming tired OF his par
gain he abandoned his wife. or secured a Ill
vorce from her. ard then cooUy resumed MS
former name and his title OF count Inc head
# his family Count Charles Finkerstein oi
. Alt Madlitz who is one Of the most intimate
friends Of the Emperor. complained to the at
Ter and at the instance Of the Kaiser the ex-
Count was brought before 4 magistrate at Berlin
for making use Of name and ute To whlch
he had no longer any right.
The defendant argued that inasnuch as he
had haen horn a Count Finkensten no one could
denrjye him Of either the name title. since 1t
was his birthrsht. The court. however de-
cl.ned to accept this view and pointing out that
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