The Washington herald., 1907-10-20


ions which are only reached after ma
ture consideration; and while his p-ejI-
dices are, perhaps, strongly developed.
they are neither numerous nor all Of
them reactonary.
A devout Roman Catholic. he is dis
posed 20 frown upon those endeavors
which are being made 70 curtan the
powers Of the church in connection with
primary education. and to banish every
thing pertaining 20 religion from ali pub
Tie schools. He makes no secret OF his
disapprOval OF the excessive concessions
made to Hungary iu the way of au-
tonomy, az the expense of the other
moieties Of the empire. taking the ground
that the latter as a whole has been
weakened, rather than strengthened by
The policy Of federation instituted in his
unclc's reign. Ii is doubtful whether he
entertains quite as cordial feelings
toward the court Of Berlin as those
displayed by Emperor Francis Joseph.
Finally, he does not conceal his distaste
for the alliance with Italy His antag-
onism toward the latter is based upon
the traditional enmity Of the Italians for
everything pertaining 20 Austria. which
finds expression not only among the
masses. but also among the classes. and
even in the highest political and official
circles OF the peninsula
That the house of Savoy should have
deprived the imperial family Of Haps-
burg OF the vast landed possessions
which they formerly owned IN italy. and
should have coufscated the temporalities
OF the Papacy. are not the motives Of
Francis Ferdiuand's aversion 10 Italy.
but merely contributory thereto II he
regards the alliance with Italy as a
mere sham. not worth the paper on
which it is written. and King Victor En-
manueIs subjects as the most irrec0u-
cilshle Of the foes Of Austria. il is be-
cause Ee knows full wel that every
patriotic Italian is imbued with the de
termination 10 add, sooner or later. 10
United italy those portions Of the en-
pire Of Francis Joseph. where Italian
is the language spoken. and which are
never referred 20 in the dominions OF
Victor Emmanuel otherwise than by the
expressive name Of Italia Irredenta; that
is 10 say. unredeemed Italy
Francis Ferdinand has three children
by his marriage. who bear their mothers
princeiy title Of Hohenberg with the
predicate Of serene highness. The eldest
is a girl. who has received her mother :
name of Sophie, and the others are boys.
Prince Macmillan being row FIVE years
of age, and his brother Ernest. only
2 F..~F
children, and has them with him on
every possible occasion. They even used
to accompany him when he went out
shooting in the big forest around his
stately chateau of Konopischt. until he
found that this interfered with his sport
as they are so passionately fond Of
animals that whenever any game came
within reach Of G.s gun they would
clasp hold of his arms and entreat him
not to shoot the pretty animal or bird
as the case might me.
Although. from an ecclesiastical point
Of view. the church. in the person Of
the P0pa. would have the power Of re-
lieving him Of the obligations of the
oath. which he made al the time Of his
marriage, to refrain from raising his
wife to the throne. and his children into
the line Of succession thereto, yet Fran
els Ferdinand's sense Of honor is so
keen that there is no reason TO suppose
that he will yield TO the longings Of
his heart, and break the promise which
he gave TO the members of his house
the government of the dUai empire. and
20 the people. Throughout his reign. at
any rate as long as she remains un-
married, his half-sisteT, ATChduChess
Maria AnnunCiata, Abbess Of the Hra-
draschin. viii continue to play the role
OF acting empress and Of first lady OF
the Empire to which she was appointed
year ago. on the death Of Archduke
Otto. and on all state functions ana
Official ceremonies the Princess of HO-
henberg Will be obliged 10 yield the pas
TO her sister-in-law.
Archduke Otto's eldest son. Charles
Francis, is the next in line Of success
sion to his uncle, Francis Ferdinand.
The lad. who recently attained his ma
jority on his twentieth birthday. which
he celebrated last August at Ischl with
his granduncle, Emperor Francis Joseph.
has been brought up altogether under
the latter's influence and direction. and
received the early part Of his education
in one of the public grammar schools
of Vienna being the first scion Of the
house Of Hapsburg, TO thus take his
place on the benches Of these public in
stitutions beside the sons Of petty
tadesmen. artisans. and laborers. thus
coming into close touch and intimate
contact with the people over whom he
is destined in the course Of time TO
reign. He has inherited the good looks
and striking appearance of his dashing
father. but not the latter's moral short
comings, and is justly regarded as one
of the most promising princes Of the
historic dynasty Of Hapsburg.