New-York tribune., 1904-08-14
AUSTRIA'S NEXT EMPEROR.
Francis Ferdinand Much uisrep-
resented and Mahgned Prince.

resented and MGAg1ed Prince.
Next Thursday the Emperor OF Austria win
enter upon his seventy-ifth year. and al
though he still remains astonishingIy vigorous
and alert, yet IN the ordinary course OF nature
the close of his long reign cannot be regarded
as otherwise than near at hand This Is an
event which is regarded with a considerable
amount OF apprehension. For writer's, politi-
clans and even statesmen OF international repu-
tation have so frequently predicted that Francis
Joseph's death would be followed by a breakup
OF his empire that to-day widespread belief is
accorded to the prophecy. To a great extent
the latter is based upon the unpopularity OF the
heir apparent. Archduke Francis Ferdinand.
That this unpopulartty exists cannot be denied.
Whether IT is Justified Is another matter. For
there are few princes OF the blood in Europe
and certainly mons close to the throne. concern
Ing whom so much ignorance and misconception
prevail
Stories have been widely circulated 70 the ef-
feet that he is ignorant blgoted arrogant and
dissolute. with ideas on the subject OF SOW
ereignty that SAVIOR OF medieval times rather
than OF the present day. Many OF the most
giaring shortcomings Of his exceedingly wild
brother Otto have been ascribed to him. NJ de
Blowitz gave publicity in The London Times
20 tale TO the effect that in a drunken freak
he had stopped peasant funeral near Prague
and amused himself by leaping his horse half a
dozen times over the bier. calurnny afterward
repeated in the Parliament at Budapest and
for which there was not a shadow OF founda-
ton; and even persons at court at Vienna viii
relate as an illustration OF his lack OF culture
that when he attained manhood and became as
much his own master a member OF any OF
the reigning houses Of Europe can ever hope TO
be he made a bonfire OF all his books
Now Francis Erardfra7d Ir,f ~, --s,- --.-4s.
reputation with which he has been endowed by
all this maIevolent gossip. the circulation OF
which has been fostered by the circumstance
that he is OF rather shy and retiring disposi-
ton. does not make friends easily. and is but
little known. save IN an official way. Far from
being the arrogant fool that he has been por-
trayed. he Is not merely a well read man. but
also an author among the works which he has
produced being an entertaining book rnodestly
describing his two years tour around the world.
including his visit to America, several graceful!
monographs. notably one OF the celebrated Field
Marshal Radetzky. remarkable by reason of the
high souled patriotism apparent in every line Of
his essay. and two volumes OF extremely pretty
Alpine poetry.
Like most OF his countrymen, he is devoted to
music and is something OF a composer. having
put upon paper for the first time several OF
those old Styrian melodies which until then had
never been written. but merely handed down
from father to son throughout the ages. The
archduke. also an engineer by profession. is.
so far as I am aware. the only prince OF the
blood who has secured his diploma such. and
he enjoys nothing so much as driving the loco
motive OF an express train. He Is expert IN
machinery. OF an inventive turn OF mind. SUI
ncientIy so indeed TO have earned for himself a
handsome competence. II not fortune had be
princes OF the Old World He is recognized as
one OF the best sporting shots OF the Austro-
Hungarian empire Is an adept IN the sciences OF
zoology and OF natural history. and. last but not
least is a thorough soldier. having everything
connected with his profession such at his m
gers ends.
Add to this the fact that his life has been
singularly free from scandal. and that the one
romance OF his existence has been his infatua-
ton for Countess Sophie Chotek. whom he per-
sisted IN marrying IN spite OF all the obstacles
placed in the way OF the match. and you have
before YOU a man OF considerable individuality
and character, who, when he succeeds TO the
throne Of his uncle. will prove considerable sur
prise 70 the public. which has until now ai"ays
bean disposed to look upon him as one OF those
whom the late Prince Bismarck was wont %
designate so contemptuously as 'Austrias idlor
archduSes'
In some respects Francis Ferdinand IS d man
OF much stronger character than the emperor
for whereas the latter is pliable and can De
brought by persuasion or by mere WEAKNESS 10
,,isId and to accord his consent TO measures OF
which he at heart disapproves the archduke oo-
stinately refuses to give way. He Is rather
slow and deliberate about taking up his position
in a controversy but once he has assumed II
nothing can induce him to bulge therefrom. he
is set in his ideas which only reached arter
n,atura consideration: and. while his prejudlces
are strongly developed. they are neither nuIner-
Gus nor an OF them reactionary. But inasnuch
as thew ars certain to influence his policy when
I,a srccaaas to the throne they are deserving OF
a brief mention.
A devout Roman Catholic. he Is disposed 20
frown upon those endeavors which are being
made to curtaiI the powers OF the Church IN
connection with primary eaucation and TO ban
iuh everything pertaining to religion from all
public schools Then, too. he makes no secret OF
hts disapproval OF the extensive concessions
made to Hungary in the way OF autonomy at the
expense OF the other oieties OF the empire. TAX
ing the ground that the latter as a whole has
been weakened by the policy Of federation IN
stituted in his uncle's reign. Finally he does
not conceal his distaste for the alliance with
Italy His antagonisIn toward the latter is
based uEon the traditional enrnity OF the Italians
for everything pertaining 70 Austria and which
finds expression not only among the masses but
also among ths elasssA and even In the hishsss