The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-10
Followed by Suicide, Caused Prince Rudolph
to Take His Own Life.
CROWN PRINCE RUDOLPH,

DRESDEN, May AT last the Meyer
ling mystery has been cleared up a
court official who couceals his identity
under thc pen name Of An Austrian
Aristocrat~ has written an intimate his
tory OF The Tragic End OF Crown
Prince Rudolph from the advance
sheets OF which the following relation is
taken.
The new book proves cOucluSively that
the Baroness Marie Vetsera was not
killed by the crown prince. but that she
committed suicide by poison, that the
crown Prince killed himself in a tit Of
semi-drunken. semi-insauC rcmorse and
that this double tragedy was preceded
by another
Much OF the story is sUbstautiatcd by
transcripts Of the last letters written by
Baroness Marie Vetsers.- These letters
We're copied from the originals ir the
secret archives OF the Austrian imperial
family by Count UEarte Of Rome. the
husband OF AIarie's youngest sister-who
also committed suicide in 1901. These
things being clearly stated. the book
then describes the last DAYS OF the H.
fated lovers as follows:
on January p. 1889. a papal DELEGATE
presented himself in the court marshaTs
office of the imperial Hofburg. He
brought letters from Pope Leo XIII
setting forth that he was authorized 10
communicate with his ma iestv.. the En-
porer Francis Joseph. direct ard with
out the Knowledge Of the papal nuncio.
accredited in Vienna.
The Emperor's anazement knew no
Dc ~sHN.s a.
time from tie Pope's letter that rho
Holy Father was advising Crown Prince
Rudolph. through his majesty. that fl
was impossible for the VatiSan TO grant
the prince imperial The divorce he WAS
seeking at tie ponuns feet. Francis
Joseph was still more amazed when the
Pope quoted a letter from the crow
princess also asking "A Separation.
Reads Pope's Letter.
When the Emperor had finished road
ing The Pope's letter. ne sent for his
brothers, .Archdukes AIbrecl L and Kari
Ludwig; the Prince Bishop Of Vienna
Dr. Cunglbauer, and Rudolph. He
asked the elder gentlemen to be seated
then facing Rudolph both standing IN
der the great central chandelier of the
library. he read the Popes epistle with
great solemnity.
Rudolph listened TO Pope Leo's letter
with varying emotions. Surprise. re
sentiment, fear. were alternately pic-
tured on mis- couuteuance. Then over
come by emotion. ne threw himself into
mis- fathers arms. and promised on his
honor TO accept the Pope-s advice re-
turn TO his wife. and break with Baron
ess Netsera, Following his fathers in
vitation. he at once repaired TO the
crown princess 10 beg her pardon for
his long neglect, and assure her that his
love had returned. and that thereafter
ne would honor her as wife and mother.
Stephany was overcome with iov
Then you win accompany me 10 the
dinner party At Prince Reus?" she
asked
Rudolph kissed her. and said be would
he only too happy Two nous later
Prince Reus' guests were discussing the
reconciliation OF the long estranred
couple, and before she went TO bed thar
night Stephany telegraphed to King
Leopold Your daughter is once more
happy. Heaven he praised"
Before leaving Prince Reus' Rudolph
and Stepnanv ISSUED invitations for a
dinner 10 be hcld January %. when the.
reconciliation was TO be officially cele-
brated.
Next morning January 2S. Rudolph
announced to his wife that he had pre-
viously made arrangements to hunt at
Meyerling. Prince Philip Of Coburg.
Count Joseph Huyes and others being
his guests. Bur ! will he back tomor-
row afternoon. ne assured his wife.
In the meantime the Baroness Marie
had heard the story OF the recotrvss.s:e-