The sun., 1908-04-05
KING OPPOSES MISS ELKINS
REFUSES ROYAL RANK TO HER
As BRIDE or ABRUZZL
She Won't Consent TO We'd in an inferior
Position and the Duke Is Going to
Rome TO Plead Win Victor Emmanuel
RIgld Press Censorship Enforced.
.sp,clal CaN, p,,paleA . THt suN

RiEId Press Censorship Enforced.
Special CdN, D,spGieh 10 TIE sUS.
LONDON, April,4. Some idea Of the Italian
official attitude toward the Abruzzi-Elklns
romance may be gained, perhaps from the
fact that the authorities refuse to transmit
kilograms on the bject from Rome to the
American newspapers, THE SUNS Rome
correspondent. who filed the despatch given
below and had il returned to him, inter
viewed the Director Of Teegraphs who re-
piled, when the correspondent offered to
change any portion OF the despatch that
might be Objectionable, that II was quite
useless to make any alterations as the Home
Office had determined to stop all kilograms
dealing with the subject The rejected de-
spatch follows
"RoMR, April "A prominent official OF
the royal household furnishes the following
information relative 10 the Abruzsi-Elkins
affair TO leading Forentine journal
"Abruzzi never attempted TO hide his
admiration for Miss Elkins and on his re-
turn from America on the steamship Varese
he spoke Of his intended marriage 10 all OF
his relatives. but everybody thought that
his admiration was not Of a lasting charao-
ter. The King wishes him to remain faith
full TO the traditions Of his house and TO keep
up its prestige by means Of the nobility IN
lis domestic alliances Hence tits not true
that he is willing to grant Miss Elkins all the
rights OF a royal princess
THE Duke realizes that the opposition
l.. In
obstacle to his marriage to Miss Elkins
and he is convinced that the only possible
solution would be a morganatic marriage.
Before the Duke went 10 America in Feb
ruary he discussed the marriage with the
King who consented to grant Miss Elkins
a princely title which would be just be-
meath that Of a royal princess. and hence
the marriage would not be a strictly NOR
Ranatic one Miss Elkins refuses to be-
come the wife Of the Duke unless she ac-
auires by marriage the full rights and
standing OF royal princess and equal
rank with that OF her husband and the
wives Of other cousins Of the King. SO the
Duke has now come back to Italy deter
mined to persuade the King to sanction the
marriage without anv Restrictions.
THE above information has the app ear
ance Of being genuine and it tales with the
gossip prevailing among the ehtourage OF
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Mar
gherita. II is a we'll known fact that the
King opposes the marriage, but on the other
hand he il willing to allow its celebration
provided Miss Ekins does not become
royal princess Queen Margherita regards
it as a mesallianoe and considers II to be
beneath the Duke 10 marry an untitled
woman.
The decision rests wholly with the King,
however. and it is not likely that his mother
would influence hin directly, but in all
probability every effort will be made to
prevent the marriage
THE Duke expects to come to Rome
shortly. perhaps to-day, and plead his own
cause. This will entail great deal OF time
and tact as he will have to overcome opposi.
ton and prejudioes on every side