The Washington times., 1903-08-10
CURRENT NEWS AND GOSSIP
FROM OLD WORLD CAPITALS
Some Interesting History Concerning the Sapeha Family Whose Scion
Are Prominent AmercaBaron Burian the Min
of Finance-SutanS Prayer for Hassan PaSha.
Prince Sapieha's Bereavement.

Prince John Sapieha, who for some
time past has made his home in this
country and is established in the bank
ing business. devoting his attention
more especially to the financial inter-
ests of the Poles who have immigrated
to various portions of the United States.
especially the mining districts, from the
Polish provinces of Austria, Russia and
Germany, has just lost his father, Prince
Adam Sapieha, who was one of the most
picturesque and romantic figures of the
old Polish aristocracy. Prince John will
therefore. like the Roman prince. De-
DragO, who also makes his home in the
United States. and who has just lost his
mother. be prevented by mourning from
taking any active share in the gayeties
of New York society next winter.
The old Prince Sapieha was but a five
year-old child when his father and
mother. who had taken a very promi-
nent part In the instruction of 1881
against Russia, were forced to flee for
! their lives. the princess in particular
and her young child experiencing the
most extraordinary adventures before
finding refuge in London, where the boy
was educated. Thirty years later Prince
Adam, who had meanwhile become a
much travelled man Of the world, figured
as one OF the leaders of the 1863 Polish
revolt against the Gar, was captured,
and while in prison awaiting trial and
probable execution, managed to effect
his escape disguised as a woman and TO
reach Paris, where he was received as a
joyed for time the particular favor of
Napoleon III, who believed that by TO-
menting Polish nationalist aspirations
in the Western provinces of the Gear he
could exercise pressure upon the Rus
sian government.
The prince, however, finding that Ma
poleon had no real intention of help
ing the Poles, and that he was indiffer-
ent to their aspirations save so far as
they could be used in furthering the in
terests of French diplomacy, quilted
Paris, and settled in the Polish prov
inces of Austria. where he owned very
large estates. and became in course OF
time a member of the German diet, as
we'll as Of the Austrian house Of lords,
besides which Emperor Francis Joseph
conferred upon him the order OF the
Golden Fleece and the dignity Of a privy
councillor
The prince lost a portion OF his for
tune some years ago through the col
lapse OF the so-called Credit Bank OF
Galicia. at Cracow. and as he had no
less than seven children 1T is not as
tOnishing that his son, Prince John. who
is unmarried, and the youngest but one.
should seek his fortune in the United
States, where of course the name when
he bears is of some use to the banking
institution with which he is connected,
enjoying as he does old-time prestige
and honor among the Polish emigrants
in America.
The Sapiehas. who trace back their
descent in an unbroken line to the four
teenth century and who became Polish
princes in 1860, have now had their title
as such recognized. both by the Austrian
and the Russian governments. the
branch TO which Prince John belongs
forming part OF the Austrian aristoc-
racy, while there are two other branches
that are enrolled among the nobility OF
puCofa