The Washington times., 1906-06-24
Venerable Emperor of Aus
tria Known to Be On
Verge of Collapse.
WEDDING OF BERTHA KRUPP
Richest Womar's Affianced Served in
Diplomatic Corps in
Washington.


runner Of his DEATH it is whispered IN
diplomatic circles. Only by exerting all
his will power was the aged monarch
able to receive the Kaiser during his
recent visit to Vienna, and that he did
was very much against the will of hts
physicians.
There is little doubt that the Emperor
feels that the end is near and that it
was for this reason that he insisted
that lie must have a last conference with
the ici=er. on whose shoulders a great
burden is apt to fall at Francis Joseph's
death.
No one dares TO predict what will
happen when the man dies. whose per
sonality is all that holds the twin mon
arches Of Austria and Hungary togetn-
er. A chaos will follow which in con-
nection with the unrest in Russia will
endanger the peace of Europe. and
which will probably mark the beginning
of civil war among the many national
ties inhabIting the Austrian Empire.
Frances Joseph has long been very
weak, and II was noticed by many
though the papers were asked 10 keep
the fact secret. that he tainted while
IT. the saddle. reviewing his troops at
Budapest.
He will never again be in the saddle.
his physicians have forbidden, and DR..
Kerzel now never leaves the imperial
palace. apartments having been fixed
up for him, next TO the EmperOr's pri-
vate apartment.
While he is not suffering from any
thing more serious than acute catarrh
of the stomach. his strength is fast
ebbing away, and all the efforts Of DR..
ISerzel to strengthen his shattered sys-
tenn have so far been unsuccessful.
Should he die suddenly it would not
surprise anyone who is aware Of his
true condition.
Well Known in This City.
The greatest interest is being taken in
the engagement OF Miss Bertha Krupp,
and the lucky man. Gustave Won Bohlen-
Halback, is being congratulated on every
hand.
Naturally his personality and career in
the diplomatic service are being keenly
discussed among German society, the en-
gagement being far the most Interesting
social event that has occurred for years.
Gustavus Won Bohlen-Halback. who is
t,hrty-six years old, was born at The
Hague, where his father was minister
for the Grand Duchy Of Baden. The
family has extensive estates in Baden
and also large interests in the United
States
After studying law at Heidelberg Uni
versity he went 20 the United States.
travelling extensively there. Returning
to Europe in 1897. he was appointed to a
post in the foreign office at Berlin
The young diplomat went again 10
America in 1899, this time as secretary
of the German embassy at Washington
His abilities for secretarial work OF
delicate diplomatic nature were soon
recognized, and in 1900 he accompanied
Count Mumm Won Schwarzenstein to
Pekin as secretary Of the legation. and
was secretary Of the international con-
ference to arrange terms of peace with
China.
His next appointment was that OF first
secretary to the Prussian legation to
the Holy See. in Rome. which he has
filled since 1903.
1t was in Rome that he first met Miss
Krupp, undoubtedly the richest heiress
in the world. BY her fathers Will the
works at Essen, Kiel. Magdeburg, Ober-
hausen, and elsewhere. the total value
Of which is nearly $50. 100000. were con-
verted into a limited liability company
with 100000 capital Bertha KrUpp
holds I59. .996 shares in the company, and
her mother and younger sister, Barbara,
are otherwise provided for.
The last dividend was Of s.. 10000,
nearly all of which was paid to Bertha
tho IaruacT cb
Princess Chicken Thief
Robbing herroosts was the coon-Iike
mania of Princess Pelageia. Taktakova,
q handsome aristocrat living in the Gori
district of the Caucasus.
Chickens had an irresistible fascina-
ton for her, so much so that the
henroosts of her neighbors suffered
depredations which were naturally
never suspected 10 be the work Of this
noble lady.
But one day the little daughter OF
Prince Zizianon came running TO her
father and said that the princess was
taking away some of his chickens Sure
enough the missing fowls were found
tied up in a sack under the seat of the
primo IS carriage, which stood waiting
in the neighborhood.
theft, and her own henroost was found
TO be stocked With chickens from her
neighbOrs roosts. Without benefit OF
the extensive privileges of the Rus
sian aristocracy. she was sent TO Jail.
Marble Cathedral Doomed.
The wonderful marble cathedral at
Cologne, which people from all the
world come TO see. is threatened with
destruction owing TO the damage done
by recent severe storms. A porch is ex-
pected mOmentarlly TO collapse. and
measures are being taken to repair the
damage without delay. The Cologne
cathedral is the most beautiful edifce
OF its kind in the world. and has been
a source of great revenue to the city
on account Of the large number OF Wis
itors it has attracted. Hotel keepers
have sfgnified their intention 10 raise a
subscription for providing fund which
win be used exclusively for emergency
repair cases like the present