The Washington times., 1904-09-02
PRINCESS LOUISE
FLEES TO ROME
Living at Hotel as Wife of
Lieutenant.
THE PURSUIT NOT VERY HOT
Husband Believes the Woman Has Been
Punished Enough for
Her Crime.

ROME. Sept. . - Princess Louise of
Coburg, who eloped several days ago
from Elster. Saxony, with Lieutenant
Count Matassich- Keglevitch, has arrived
at Como, accompanied by the count. The
couple are staying at the Hotel Plinius.
under the name Of Won Ruff and wife.
The princess looks to be in excellent
health. She says she will prosecute those
responsible for her imprisonment.
After attending the theater on Mon
day night at Elster the princess and her
little party had supper in one of her
rooms. She said goodnight at II 30 and
her guardians were not aware OF her
departure until o'clock in the morning.
by which time she probably was far
toward the Swiss frontier.
One Gratz. an agent OF the count, first
had a room on the third floor of the
hotel but Monday he moved to one on
the ground floor with a private entrance
into the garden. 1t is presumed that
the princess used this exit. and II is GER
tain that Frau Schubert, Of Dresden.
engaged the carriage at a local livery
stable.
In an Automobile.
Beyond the outskirts Of the town
some of the occupants OF the carriage
were transferred to an automobile and
the carriage continued its rapid flight
probably TO confuse possible pursuers.
It IS deemed likely that the princess
was one of those taking the automobile.
The chauffeur drove the machine
through several roads leading In dineT-
ent directions from the town, dououess
with the purpose to further create DOUBT
as to which road the princess really
took An automobile similar to that
which left Bad Elster was traced TO Hof'
forty miles away. Whether the princess
took the a. m. train there for Munich
OF proceeded in the automobile Is un-
determined. 80
Telegraphic reports reaching here that
she had been seen a. Asch, Bohenaa,
and that rooms had been engaged Tor
her in Paris. are considered improbable.
Evaded Watchers.
The disappearance OF the princess was
most dexterously managed, as she was
under sharp surveillance day and night.
both by an especially trustworthy court
lady. with three servants. and by the
manager CT the Royal Baths, who had
been made responsible for her safe
keeping.
A Waterman who was in the hotel cor
ricor at the time the princess escaped
saw nothing OF her.
A chamberrnaid who had access to the
princess apartments carried notes TegO-
larly between the princess and another
person II was IN this correspondence
doubtless that the plans 70 escape We're
conveyed. The princess was 10 have
been taken back TO the sanitarium In
two or three days A visit from her sis
ter. the Countess LOnyay, had been
promised for September 8
Pursuit Not Sharp.
The pursuit is not likely to be keen.
as It is well understood that the hus-
band of the princess is rather pleased
at her escape, because he thinks she
has been sufficiently punished.
The sympathies of the Belgian court
have been with her for the same reason,
it being thought that she has been
badly treated.
The princess. It appears. met Lieut..
Matassich- Keglevitch in the garden OF
the Dresden Art Exhibition two weeks
escort Of Manager Pierson. OF the sani-
tarium
The latter had turned away a few
minutes before 20 look al a piece OF
sculpture, SO soon as he saw the prin-
cess talking TO strange man PiersOu
hastened toward them She told him
TINT the man was Lieut.. MataSsich-
Keglevitch and begged TO be allowed TO
speak with him.
Pierson replied that she knew that 20
be impossible and that he must Insist
that she go with him Immediately. The
princess began 90 cTy and asked 10 be
allowed 20 talk with the lieutenant for
Few minutes
She became so distressed that Pierson
turned to Matassich- keglevitch and re-
ouested him 40 give his word OF honor
that he would not attempt to persuade
the princess 70 leave those who were
taking care Of her.
The lieutenant promised Pierson with
drew out Of hearing. and the two 50
long separated. talked together for sev-
erai minutes. until Pierson told them
that the Interview must end.