New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-14
A PRACTICAL GRAND DUKE
Hoo OIdenburg's Ruler Brought
His Subjects to Their Senses.

number about 10000. declined 10 comply with his
wishes with regard to some measures which he
desired to be enacted. he at once closed up his
palaces, placed his court officials on half pay and
went abroad with his wife and children This
quickly brought his people to their senses. The
absence Of the reigning family and Of all court life
resulted in such bad times for the tradespeopie,
and consequently for the working classes. and
naturally also for the official world-the court con-
stitutng the only attraction to strangers and the
only means OF bringing money from the outside
INTO the country-that his Tepentant lieges en-
treated him TO return and gave him every as
surance that his wishes would be obeyed-
Although the grand duke Is by means the
first sovereign visit this Countrywide Emperor
or Brazil and the King Of the Sandwich Islands
being among the monarchs TO have received
welcome in the United States-yet II is doubtful
whether there has ever been a royal prince Of more
ancient lineage to land on these shores than this
sovereign Of Of tiniest Of the petty states
OF the German Empire. For he is descended in
direct line from Wittekind. the celebrated leader
Of the heather Saxons against Charlemagne. and
his house has furnished IN the past sovereigns to
Denmark. Sweden, Norway, Russia ard Greece
The present Car. the Kings Of Denmark and
Greece. the Empress of Germany and her brother,
the Duke Of Schleswig- Hostein. and the Queen
Of England all belong to branches OF the Olden-
burg dynasty; and attention was recently called
to the Russian Emperor's connection herewith by
his remuneration Of whatever rights he possessed
to the succession Of the crown Of Oldenburg in
IaFOr or Duke Frederick FeTulnanO oil EOlSleln
SonderburE-GIucksburg. whose wife is a sister Of
Empress Augusta Victoria
The present grand duke does not enjoy the best OF
health. and about two years ago was forced 10 re-
tire to a sanatorium to undergo prolonged period
Of rest from the "fatigues'' entaed by the govern
ment OF his grand duchy with its area OF a couple
OF thousand square miles and its population Of
about 10000 people He is. however. amiable.
accomplished and well meaning ruler. free from the
eccentricies Of his wonderful old father. and,
Ike he Ia Oft he Kaiser
The late grand duke not only a bitter foe OF
Prussia. hut likewise entertained very pronounced
leauings toward socialism. For years he was one OF
the most constant subscribers Of the Social Demo-
KRAFT the organ Of advanced and militant socialism,
which is published at Zurich, in Switzerland, being
strictly forbidden by law in Germany that the
mails do not dare 20 carry IT, Ii for this reason
that instead Of being posted tho grand duke in
ordinary newspaper wrappers II was mailed to him
each week I'm special envelopes. frauked with his
name, which We're sent by his secretary to the pub
Usher OF the paper for the purpose. In 1854 he was.
head OF the OldenburE dynasty. to which the
ducal house Of Schleswlg- Holstein belonged,
claimant to the duchies OF Schleswig and Hostein.
not only on his own account. but also on that Of
Car Alexander II. who had waived his own pre-
tensions 70 the duchies IN the favor OF the grand
duke. The latter was forced to withdraw his claims
IN 1866 by Prussia receiving by way Of compeusa-
tIon for the Incorporation Of the duchies into the
kingdom Of Prussia down Of 100000 marks
and certain territorial indemnities.
The present grand duke Is. through his first
riaEe a brother-in-law OF Prince Arthur OF Great
Britain. Duke Of Counaught. and IS very friendly
terms with the latter. Broken hearted by the death
OF his first wife. Princess Elizabeth Of Prussia,
sister Of the Duchess OF Connaught he
PEELED by dynastc considerations 20 wed in the fol-
lowing year Duchess Elizabeth OF Mecklenburg
sister q Prince Henry Of the Netherlands. For,
from German and from an oidenburs point Of
view. It vas imperative that he should have a
direct heir 20 his throne. which otherwise would
have eventually gone TO his cousin Duke Alexander
Of Oldeuburg. who born at St Petersburg. Is like
his son and his father and grandfather before
him. Russian 70 the core in all save name and
title
True the grand duke has an only brother. But
the latter is invalid. and will never marry and
could not be considered as obstacle the sue
cession Of his Russian knsman. The grand duke
has by his second marriage an only boy. now seven
years old. whose life may be said stand be-
tween the throne of Wurtemburg and the wholly
Russian Duke Alexander, who has always been dis
tinguished for his pronounced Hnupathy 70 every
thing German.
one Of the most remarkable members of the
house Of Oldenburg was the late Duke Elimar. an
uncle OF the grand duke. lie was one OF the most
popular playwrights IN Germany and his farCes
and comedies. presented the stage written by
a. Quenther" or by ct Mailer" familiar to
almost every German playgoer on both sides Of the
Atlantic Duke Elimar served with distinction in
tho wars OF 1866 and 1870 but horrorstricken
by the scenes which he witnessed on the field Of
battle that he took a prominent part I'm the work
OF the international peace societies. several letters
and pamphlets bearing his name having appeared
In print upon the subject. Like many German
princes n looked for beauty and charm rather
than rank seeking n wife and, instead Of marry
ing princess OF the blood. contracted a
gauatfc alliance with a peasant girl upon whom
the Emperor Of Austria conferred the title Of
Baroness NogeI Friesenhof at the time os
her marriage. subsequently creating her son. born
Of this union. Count OF Welsburg.
Lord Plunket who has just been appointed by
King Edward to be Governor and commander IN
CHEZ of the colony Of New-Zealand. with a salary
Of $4,000 a year and allowances. enjoys an alto
gether unmerted reputation for mendacity. Eldest
son of the late Archbishop OF Dublin. who was
PrImate Of Ireland Il is related that the preate
was one day found plunged in deep distress.
My son Willie has told lie! lie is a liar What
shall | do with him.
Then an inspiration seemed TO dawn upon the
holy
willie shall be a diplomat" he exclaimed: and
as soon as Willie" grew W. after due preparation
at Harrow and at Dublin University. appoint
rnent was secured Sor him in the diplomatic ser
vice and he was attached to the embassy Rome
under Lord Duferln. whom he followed to Paris.
when the marquis sent to represent his coun-
try on the banks Of the Seine
While with Lord Dufferin he fell in love With the
daughter Of his chief. Lady Victoria BIackwOod,
a goddaughter Of the late Queen. and after his
marriage resigned from the service. shortly after
ward succeeding through the death Of his father
10 the Iatter's hOnors NTH Lord Punket In
1900 he became private secretary to Lord Cado-
gan the then Viceroy Of ireland. and has held
that place also under the Earl of Dudley until
now Lord Plunket is very rich his mother hav-
ing a daughter Of the late Sir Benjamin GUM
ness Of Dublin stout fame. and he is a nephew, 4
of T.,~fT 10