New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19
CAPTIVE ROYALTY.
Non0rchs and Scions of Sovereign
Houses Who 4re Prisoners.

IsLIdIy OF ner elevation 10 the rank or a KING
dom has naturally led to a revival Of the move
ment in favor OF the proclamation OF the Ccto-
genarian Regent as King in the place of his de-
mented nephew Otto Not that it is likely to
be crowned with success For old Prince Luit-
pold has repeatedly declared that under cir
cumstances would he ever consent 10 assume
possession Of the crown as long as the King re-
manned alive. no matter how hopeless and in
durable the character OF the insanity Of the
afflicted monarch Time and again has the
Regent been urged by the former and by the
present Kaiser, by the sovereigns Of the other
states of the confederation known as the Ger
man Empire and by the leading statesmen and
newspapers Of Bavaria to proclaim himself
King. But he has always turned a deaf ear TO
these proposals, contenting himself with point
ing out that. inasmuch as the constitution of
Bavaria contains nothing that can be construed
from dtsquaifying q mentally afflicted prince
from ascending the throne. King Otto could not
legally be deprived thereof on the score OF
Iunacy.
Otto has been captive at the Chateau OF
Furstenried for considerably over quarter of
a century, and Wednesday last was the eigh-
teenth anniversary of that June day when he
was informed by the grand marshal OF the
court, Baron Nielsen and General Baron
Pranka OF the tragic death Of his elder brother.
Louis II. and Of his own accession TO the throne.
Whether he understood the full purport OF their
communication not IT is impossible to say.
For It appears. being struck by the expression
your majesty" he kept on repeating it again
and again to himself. giving no other signs.
however that he appreciated the nature OF the
message. 1t is said that during the first few
years Of his captivity he had occasional rare
and brief moments OF Iucidity. But the last
flicker Of intelligence has long disappeared. and
so distressing is his condition OF alternate I'M
beCiIity and maniacal fury that. since the vain
attempt made by his mother. the unhappy Queen
Marie. a short time before her death, TO awaken
a glimmer Of recognition in his breast, none of
his relatives have ever been at F'urstenried
Though the windows OF the picturesque palace
are barred and the extensive gardens and park
surrounded by lofty wall with military guards
at all the entrances. vet the King. whose efigy
a comedy youth figures on the coins Of the
realm. to whom the troops swear allegiance and
the great dignitaries Of the state promise obedi-
ence, In whose name appointments are made.
pardons granted, justice administered and Grim
inaIs sent to the scafoId is surrounded by a
good deal of state and treated with Difference
and respect. ever. when. imagining himself to be
Il stork, he stands on one leg in the midst Of
nest constructed of sticks. or. like Nebuchadnez-
Ear, goes grazing ON all tours. Four physicians
are in constant attendance. and the two leading
ulieuists at Munich visit him twice a week. pre-
sentinS monthly report of his condition TO the
Regent and an annual report TO the national
legislature. The other members Of the little
court at Furstenried consist OF grand master
of the household. four gentIemen-in-waiting, a
chaplain, secretary. a treasurer. a dozen
Hveried servants, six Wallets. who are at the
same time male nurses and keepers. besides a
large kitchen garden and stable staff The King
is always addressed your majesty" and the
attendants are strictly forbidden 70 use force,
except in the case OF the most extreme and vital
necessity. I may add that the palace is lighted
throughout with electricity. and presents a most
fairyIike appearance when seen from distance
at night.
Like his elder brother, King Louis who
drowned in the Staruberge- Lake while
deavoriug to escape by swimming from the
Chateau Of Berg, where he had been imprisoned
as lunatIc few days previously Otto was
fraiI and delicate i'm his early youth. II was
partly on this account, partly. too, from desire
TO pain his Prussian wife. whom he detested.
that King Macmillan. their father. caused them
TO he removed at an early age from her
care and sent them of to a remote mountain
chateau in the care Of tutors and priests. where
he had them brought up IN complete and utter
secluston until his death brought Louis 10 the
throne and Otto into the world, for which they
were under the circumstances. only i'll pre-
pared. Three years later. when about twenty
one Otto fell deeply and madIy in love with
young Countess L But the romance was brought
10 a sudden close at a memorable picnic on the
shores Of the Tegeru Sea, where otto. having
wandered away with the countess. and spent the
whole afternoon with her picking strawberries,
vas taken angrfly 20 task by the King. who
At once placed by her parents in the convent or
La MisericorGe. Of which she remains a nun 10
this day. Otto. encouraged by his brother. who
was anxious that he should forget the countess.
threw himself into every kind OF dissipation.
Soon Re became famed far and wide for his ex-
cesses and already at Versailles, during the
siege OF Paris. he rendered himself guilty OF
such extravagances as To lead to the impression
that his mind not altogether sound At the
banquet given in connection with me procIama-
ton of King William of Prussia as German EN-
peror. he declined 10 Join the German sOvereigus
and princes present in drinking the health Of
the new Kaiser. and acted so strangely in his
intercourse with the late Emperor Frederick
that the latter. in letters written home at the
time. expressed his conviction that the prince
was insane. Four years afterward Otto's con-
dition became such as TO render it necessary
that he should be placed under restraint-and
under restraint he has remained ever since.
That his love affair with young Countess L.
exercised a notable influence upon his life there
is every reason 10 believe, and it is possible
that had he been permitted 70 marry her ne
might to-day be we'll and sane, Just in the same
way that his elder brother. Louis, would probably
have escaped the fate by which he was over
taken had not a miserable intrigue been Matched
by jealous woman 70 break of his engagement
to his beautiful cousin. the Duchess Sophia OF
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