New-York tribune., 1908-11-16
ELKINS DENIES TR0TH
SAYS DAUGHTER rs NOT
ENG4GED TO .4BRUZZI.
Declines to Discuss Reported Be
trothaI Further, but Praises the
Dukes Character.

Washington Nov. 1J.-Senator Stephen B.
Elkins made the emphatic announcement to
night that engagement exists between his
daughter. Miss Katherine rIkins and the Duke
OF the Abruzzi. The statement was made with
the knowledge and consent of Miss Elkins. who
desired that the statement should be given to
the public, which has manifested 80 great an IN
terest in the matter.
Senator Elkins arrived in Washington from
his West Virginia horne to-day He was asked
if he cared to make any announcement concern
ing the reported engagement of his daughter. In
response ne dictated the following statement:
II do not care 10 say anything further than
that my daughter and the Duke dc Ahruzzi are
not engaged to be married and I regret ex-
ceedingly the annoyance that must have come
to the duke and his family by reason Il the al
most daily discussion Of the matter uWhe press
and the constant publication Of rumors for so
long time-rumors which 1 venture to hope
will cease.
while the Senator made it clear that Miss
Elkins and the Duke of the Abruzzi are not en-
gagged he entertains for the duke the highest
regard as was shown by the reply which he
made to an inquiry as TO how we'll he was ac-
q1lainted with the duke.
Not very WE'LL he responded frankly. but
from what I know and have heard of him re-
gard him not only a distinguished person
atty by reason of his birth and position but
added to this he is able man. Of the highest
character q we'll known explorer and scientist
one who has done things and accomplished much
besides being an efficient officer Of high rank
in the navy of his country.
Senator EIkins dictated the foregoing state
nents carefully. and as carefully revised them
after they were written. He was earnest in his
expression of the hope that his statement would
be accepted by the public in the spirit in which
it was made He has felt a delicacy in discuss
ing the matter at all, but believed that the time
had arrived. in all the circumstances. to make
an announcement of the facts.
Mrs Elkins and Miss Katherine EIkins are
yet at their Wese Virginia home. hut they ex-
pect in the near future to join the Senator in
Washington
The Duke Of the Abr;Izzi and Miss Katherine
Elkins first met III May. 1907 a ball given in the
dukes honor in Washington by Mr.. and Mrs. L-arz
Anderson. Miss Elkins. who had spent some time
abroad with her mother and who had acquired the
Italian language. was a guest at the ball She was
introduced 10 the duke by Colonel Charles 5.
Bromwell. chief aid 20 the President. After the
introduction Miss Elkins and the italian robIenan
danced together so many times that society agreed
that he had fallen in love with the young daughter
of the West Virginia Senator.
The Duke of the Abruzzi appeared again in Wash
ngton in March of this year. where he spent three
df5S MS Aptodi 81 tit Edpitdi -dFt - ~
fresh ruuors that he and Miss E1kiRs were en-
gs ged but no hint of confirmation could he had
from either himself. the EIkins family or
from Baron Mayor des Panches the italian Am
bassador. who is Intimate friend or the duke
and Miss Eikns.
Miss Elkns and the duke were much in each
others company during the iatter's last visit 10
Washington and made a hurried trip together on
March 20 in automobile from Washington to
the EIktns home In Baltimore Senator Elkins,
who was in Baltimore the time attending the
funeral of Senator Whvte returned with the
duke and his daughter 10 Washington in the auto
mobile On his return 10 Washington the same
day the duke mysteriously disappeared and at
York and went aboard the Cunarder Lusttania
which he returned Europe Tt was runored
then that he had hastened to Rome 70 obtain the
consent Of the King. Later reports had il that
the King had granted permission for the engage
rnent and that the Pope would favor the match on
condition that Miss EIkius WOuld become Catho-
lie The engagement then seemed assured. it haY-
ing beer reported that Miss Elkius had agreed to
rsnounce her own religion for Catholicism Mean
while nothing hal come from the Elkins family in
the Uay of confirmation After all apparent OBJ
iectinns to the engagement had been overcome u
developed that the Queen DoWager had orefed
An objection but subsequently word came from
Rome that she had consented to ths wedding
It was reported several weeks ago that all 90
stacIes had been cleared away and that the duke
z,-orld soon sail for this country To marry Miss
EIkins.