New-York tribune., 1908-04-03
Is HE A PRINCE?
Some Notes on a Young Rumdnian
NoSr tn Nesc York.

f,,orvrisht 1905 by the Brentwood Company
Several inquiries have reached me concerning a
r-sroe Rudolph Kretzulesco who has been in New
z,-k for some three months past, frequent
.r the leading hotels and giving out interviews
ncer1ng the International relations OF the United
S-stss-fa fact. on every conceivable suEject-and
-hc has become acquainted with q number of well
tncxn persons, some OF whom are apparently anx-
t.ns 70 know more about him than his own account
= himself. According 10 the latter recently print
a. IN z New York paper. he is "a scion OF royal
-r-nily II Rumanis. "a prince Of the Italian King
sorn and Of Rumania" and "a member OF the most
,-ro-tant branch Of the ancient family Of Bassara
has which came into prominence early in the his
,,-v q TIE Roman Empire as rulers OF the King
5o~, q Dscia. and during the centuries Of the
r-pssSes were sovereigns Of the kingdom which
COMPRISED gsllaehia. Modsvia and Transylvania
sns constituted the eastern buIwark OF Christians
against the Turks
Vow IN the FIRST place there are no princes in
syrnan.a titles having only been abolished by
=. constitution. but their use being even prohibited
~ Ru--s1ian Iav.. There are no princes OF or in
E..-nzn1z outside Of the now reighing family. 4
n-srch q the FFohenzollern dynasty namely. crown
Prince ferdinand and his rvo boys. Prince Charles
snd Prince Nicholas Even the Prime Minister
george Csntacuzene. chief Of one one Of the most
Il,s--ous ard historic houses Of the Southeast OF
r--one STYLES himself plain Mr. George Can
7s-rze-e There is Z Russian and princeIy branch
ef this family. which Michael Cantacuzene, the
sfusco-t-e son-in-law OF Major General Frederick
2 Grant. belongs
II AZ interview with Prince Kretzulesco which
+ have before me published IN & New York "a per
= = sad he is an Intimate friend of King
F7u-bs--.~ Who made him a naturaIzed italian
citizen and al the same time. out Of recognition
y ris royal Rumanisn descent, proclaimed him
Price ~ The Italian Kingdom But there Is no
record - any title OF prince having been con
fs-rea UPON Kretzulesco BY the Italian crown in
re cHc5zl annals n the -Consuta F4era isica" at
Rome And besides. King Hu-7hert has been dead
sane eight years. and hretzuiesco is only q little
crer thirty according 10 his own account. The
prince = sad to have made his home fer some
.ns-s psz- or the Avenue des Champs Elyskes in
Fs-1s- Eu- 7 cannot ind that re belongs 70 any
of ths leading clubs in Paris Moreover. although
! ar -ole-ahiv well acquainted with Rumania its
Interesting history and with its historic but wholly
untitled parrIciace. I cannot recall ever having
heard cf the name or any kretzulesco among them
prince O. otherwise
N-t1 regard 10 The Bsssarabas family. 70 which
~ claims 70 belong, but which has been long ex-
-inc-- may mention that il is first heard Of not
- ne iliIe Or the Roman Empire. but il the four
-ee--h century. in The person Of JLgonir BaSsa-
-s5ss Toward The end of-the sixteenth century II
7--red The great domain Of Brancoveni. and IN
7i received TIE Hungarian title Of Counts of Bran
e--s-. and fifty years afrervard that OF Princes
Cf re Holy Roman Empire
In The early part of The eighteenth century Bas-
sa-ahas- Count Of Brancovan. PLAYED prominent
-c.e z The Wsr between the Turks and the Russians
I'D having been found guilty OF treachery 10 both
Peter re Great and 10 the Sultan, was strange
~ orders of the latter along with his four sons
The house Of Bassa-abaz became extinct through
re death. il 1875. the last Prince Of Brauco-an
~ -hs Holy Roman Empire. His adopted daughter.
Zoe Nsyroordaro. married George Bibesca, who was
elected Hospodsr. Turkish Governor Of Wal
lsch5a il SO his election being subsequently
1--1cc By appointment from The Sultan On The
strength Of his marriage with the adopted daughter
70 the last of the Bassarabss Princes Of Brancovan
q me Holy Roman Empire. he assumed he name
q Brsncovsn, and his son Gregory in 1860 received
the authorization from the Austrian crown 10 use
title Of Prince Of Brancovan in Austria and
Hungary Gregory made his home wholly in France
whe-e Re was known until his death, in 1856 as
Prince Bassarabss d Brancoys-. = title By which
his onv sor Constantine. rhirry-three years OF
age Is likewise known. although they have 10 blood
-eatiqrshP with The grea- hut now entirely extinct
E21ra-ia1 house Of Bassarab De Brancovan.
Young Prince Constantine has two sisters. one Of
whom Eliza beth IS married 70 Count Matthew De
Nosilles. and has achieved much celebrity as 4
-rre- Is- The other sister Helen. Is The wife Of
Prince Alexander Dc Ca-s1lan Chir,av. The widow
- lie Ia-e Prince Gregory still lives She is the
s-s-er q MUssr1s PechR. who died as Turkish Am
baSss6cr n London last winter Let me- add that
Prince Constantine Bessarabaz de Brancovan like
--s father makes MS home IN Paris He has. how
ever Z residence a. Bucharest, and holds q com
mission Of Lieutenant OF reserves in the Austrian
s--v not however, as prince but plain Con
s-z--l-e Braacova--
T-,-h regard 70 the inquiries that are constantly
ne y addressed % q this kind. only
pes- vhs- I have often said before, namely. in
cases Of doubt concerning the authenticity OF the
r-s s-sions Of visitors from abroad the first thing
. a. is ascertain Z they belong any club Of
GOD re-1Ve. either II their na.ive city IN the
--- Rr3Ch they have been making their home
= The stranger does not belong 10 any such club,
l- Is vel 70 be careful and 70 take his passports
a-5 his letters cf introduction cum Erano sails.
Tc- club 1ife PLAYS much important role in
-Hs social lie Of the great cities OF Europe than
here There ( club a necessity. instead OF
mercy convenience. as here and # z with
s-T claims 70 social rank comes over here and
-@r--r show that he SUI belongs 70 reputable
Cuos o- vcn6e- side of the ocean. there Is gener-
al some good reason for f.. though OF course,
there ere sometimes exceptions 70 this rule