The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-14
AUSTRIAN ROYAL GOSSIP
FERDINAND'S RUMORED
ABDICATION OF THE THRONE.
His Proposed Successor Only Fifteen
Years Old, but Handsome and
Intelligent.

DRESDEN, Saxony, Nov. ia letter re-
ceived here from Vienna gives some inter-
esting gossip about the Austrian success
sion. In spite of official denials 1t is not i'm
possible that there is some truth in the
story recently published by the Neue Buda-
Poster Abendblatt of the alleged intended
abdication of the heir presumptive to the
Austrian throne, the Archduke Francis
Ferdinand. in favor of his nephew, the fif-
teen-year-old archduke, Charles Francis.
There is no question that the young
prince has, for a couple OF years past. at
tracted a greatly enhanced interest in
Austria-Hungary and that unusual care is
now being bestowed upon his education in
view OF his proximity TO the throne. few
years ago when Francis Ferdinands
health was very Indifferent, his younger
brother, Otto, the father of Charles Fran
els, was, for time, informally put for
ward as the immediate successor of En-
peror Francis Joseph. Subsequently 1t was
rumored that Otto had expressed his readi-
ness to surrender his rights in favor of his
son, an exceptionally handsome boy, whose
bright, intelligent looks and self-confident,
good -humored expression have already done
much to endear him to the Viennese. In
matters directly affecting the interests of
the dynasty, not only the reigning sover-
eign. but other members of the imperial
house, exercise considerable influence on
such important decisions as those concern
ing the succession to the throne, and Ii is
only a man of very strong will who can
resist urgent representations of a family
council of the imperial house.
At present the succession to the throne
is provided for with perfect clearness.
Archduke Francis Ferdinand, nephew OF
the Emperor, stands next in the order. AS
formally renowned
succession on behalf of the issue of his
morganatic marriage with the Countess
Sophie Chotek, now Princess Hohenberg,
he would be succeeded by his brother Otto,
unless the latter should abdicate in favor
of his son.
The strong attitude taken by Francis Fer
dinand certain political and national
questions has, il is feared, placed him in
conflict with important elements Of the
and anti-German tendencies do not please
the bulk of the Germans in Austria and his
clerical views are equally distasteful to
the Liberal Magyars in Hungary. In these
circumstances, and remembering that the
Emperor still enjoys robust health and may
be expected to live several years ii is con-
ceivable that an effort may be made to in
duce the heir preSumptive to surrender his
rights to his nephew.
The present Emperor assembled the throne
at the age of eighteen, in virtue of the abb
dication of his uncle, Emperor Ferdinand
and similar remuneration on the part of his
own father, Archduke Francis Charles
The imperial family was convinced at that
time of revolution and OF the trial and
peril for the dynasty that an energetic
ruler was essential and that the inexperi-
ence of the youth of eighteen was a smaller
disadvantage than the less vigorous intia-
tive of man advanced in years.
While Francis Ferdinand is still in the
prime of life, there is some apprehension
that the position he has adopted may seri-
ously increase the difficulties of a suffi-
| GENTLY embarrassing succession. Further
more, the want of confidence felt in his
clerical advisers is calculated to excite sus-
picion as TO the possibility of his being in
| duced by powerful ecclesiastical factors to
| embark on courses which might imperil the
| stability of the monarchy.
While these considerations might lead the
members of the imperial family TO wish
/ for another successor to the throne less
| compromised by his public expression of
/ views and more popular with all his future
| subjects, it does not at all follow that their
/ counsels would prevail with the archduke
/ He is a man of quite exceptional independ-
| ence of character, whose iron determination
/ has before now broken down very powerful
\ opposition to his own views. The ambition
| attributed to his very clever wife, who is
| enthusiastically devoted to the clerical
| cause, would seem to confirm rather than
! weaken his resistance to any such propo-
/ SitiOn