New-York tribune., 1908-03-21
DUKE TN BALTIMORE.
MAKES AUTOMOBILE TRIP.
Returns to Washington srith Senator
and Miss Elkfns.

Baltimore March eo---Miss Katherine Elkns and
fne Duke OF the Abruzzi came here this afternoon
nv automobile from Washington a surprise to
Senator Eikns. who was here TO attend the funeral
Of Senator whyte. Later the three returned to
washington il the automobile
washington, March eo.-After visit of three
szvs 10 Washington. the Duke Of the Abruzzi left
the city 10 o'clock this morning as uncere-
rnouioGsly and 5 uys1eriously lie came here
I. is said that he will depart from New York to-
morrow for Italy. probably sailing the Lusitania
with his valet Practically all the information OBJ
sssrahle the Italian Embassy regarding the
dukes future movements is that he will return
ro the United States in the future His leave
of absence from command Of the warshp Regina
Elena has expired, and he is returning home 10
assume charge Of the vessel
Whether engagement between the duke and
Miss Katherine EIkirs. the daughter Of Senator
Stephen & Elkins. Of West Virginia, has resulted
from the dukes trip 10 America one at the
embassy Is willing to say The contention Of the
officials is that these private matters which
TIE public has right to invade II had been
generally accepted that OF the purposes of the
dukes visit 20 submit a formal proposal of
marriage 10 Miss Eikins whose acquaintance he
formed about year ago when the Italian squad
visited the jamestown exposition
The Italian Ambassador. Baron Mayor des
Planches and his official and unofficial household
have uniformly maintained the greatest reticence
II regard TO the movements and dongs Of the
duke. aver-ing that travelling in his pri-
va1e capacity. and his personal affairs were no.
hodys business but his Fer this reason only
tbs scantest possible Information respecting his
visit here has been made public
II view. however, OF the various publications. re-
specting the dukes visit 10 this country and par
rtcularlv 70 Washington and the possible results.
the Italian Ambassador consented to-day to give
cut through MS secretary an informal statement
bearing subject. 1t Substantially as fol-
lows;
mater. and nobody has a right to know any
F-kins family at the italian Embassy several
nights ago is absolutely false No member OF
fhe Elkins family has been at the embassy eitneE
during the dukes visit nor for long period
The duke was in this country a regular
leave o1 absence granted him by the Minister OF
Marine while his vessel is undergoing some I'M
provenenCs- The vessel is at spezzia one OF tne
principal Italian ports The duke : IeaFe Is nov TOW
q the vessel The duke is leaving on the best
some Of them he has given assurances that he
ri! he back in the near future
Therefore statements published here and IN va
-iuus parts Of the United States concerning the
show lack OF kindness and courtesy
Some Of the publications respecting the duke and
lis engagement 10 Mss Ekias. notably those about
the reported wish Of the duke for settlement OF
go wear preliminary 10 the marriage.
have created sensation at the embassy 1T is
awful i Is awful said one OF the attaches to-day
referring 70 one OF these publications.
What tine did the duke Leave today" was
asked
I don't know" was the response. y came down
he7s this morning and he gone When he left
: really don't know"
TIE impression prevails among the intimate
friends OF the Elkins family that formal
rzsenent been made That belief finds support
II the utterances OF Senator Ekins 10 his friends
To them within the last foTty-eight hours he has
declared that there vas no engagement but he
zould not commit himself es the future. So
-her ii wes reported last evening that the duke
leave Washington within twenty-four hours
Il Immediately assumed that his mission had
failed. Some OF the more cautious Of the Eikfns
circle. however. hinted that failure too
strong word 70 in this case. and that II
would the say that the negotia-
tiuas had been concluded.