New-York tribune., 1909-02-26
PRINCESS LEAVES ROME
Forced 10 Surrender italian State
Secrets Left by Husband.
Icoprrigh.. 1909. by ths brentwood company.I


Rome has lately been the scene OF a rather awk
ward international inbroglio, Of which little has
been heard in the press, but which was neverthe-
less referred the Chamber and is the subject
OF no end gossip IN official and especially in dip
loTnatic circles General S"l0tta. who died the
other day was for NUN e -ears chief OF the
general stan OF the Itali5- my, and was found
10 have nominated as the ezecutrix Of his viii and
principal Iegatee q German lady, who having be
come the widow of one of the principal members Of
the great Angio-GerTnen engineering and electric
firm Of Sie1neus Brothers, married Freydoun Nal
colin Khan. from whom she was subsequently
divorced Khan the Persian for lord and
on the strength thereof Freydoun. like his father.
Nazem Malcolm Khan. Who was for so many
years the shah's envoy IL London. Paris, Vienna
and Rome. styled himself prince
Old Malcolm Khan not unknown in the
United States. and headed the first Persian en-
bassy ever sent to this country. 1t during the
Presidency Of Buchanan He was also the pleni-
potentiaTy Of Persia at the Congress of Berlin
charming ole fellow, he constantly in financial
straits. owing TO the difficulty which he expert
enced in getting the payment his salary and al
iowances. Moreover. the successive Shahs under
whom he served in the habit whenever they
visited Europe OF selling mining and other rights
In Persia. receiving large Of money in part
pavrnent but coolly cancelling the concessions on
some frivolous pretext other as soon as they re-
turned 10 their dominions. leaving Malcolm, who
had been associated by his sovereign in the DEAL 10
face the music-music which often eliminated N
charges OF fraud
Malcoln's son. Freydoun. was educated at Eton
and became hts fathers secretary of legation, be
sides being appointed A. D. c. TO the Shah. Fail
ing in love at Rome with the very beautiful and
wealthy widow, Eleanor Siemens, he proceeded
10 marry her. she thereby becoming Princess trey-
doun Malcolm by which name she stll cohuhueS
10 be known. After the divorce. which was pro-
nounced in Germany young Malcolm endeavored
10 prevent her from using his name and title, such
as it was but found it impossible to do So owing
to his inability repay her. in accordance with
the decree Of the court. the large sums Of money
which she had advanced to MIN, both prior and
subsequent the marriage The princess is stun
& very handsome and fascinating woman, and OLD
General Saletta was completely infatuated Win
her. As chief OF the general stan Tor a nofnoeF
of years he had a quantity OF the most confden-
tial documents relating TO the defences OF italy,
the mobilization the army. etc, in his care and
until Signor LeaH raised the question in the Cham
her OF Deputies at Rome these papers after ms
death remained in the hands OF Princess Frey
doua Malcolm. that is TO say, Nine. Eleanor Won
Siemens as his executrix and legatee-
The government tilereupon found necessary 10
intervene on the ground that il was inadmissible
that foreigner, that is TO say. a German woman
the sems-divcrced wife of a Persian diplomat
should be allowed 10 retain possession OF Italian
state secrets and OF official and conndenual papers
belonging 20 King Victor Emmanuels government
The matter was all the more delicate since Italy
and Germany allies. and supposed to nave no
military secrets rrcn each other. 1t seems that
the German Embassy declined 10 intervene IN be-
half OF the princess and that she was ultimately
compelled TO yield TO the pressure brought by the
italian Minister Of Foreign Affairs and of the In
terror and 10 surrender delegates Of the Minis
ter of Var all the papers and correspondence De
ol,earhed TO her by General Saletta- She mas ieit
Rome vowing never to return. and In view OF
.he scandal that has taken place. II is nnproDao!e
that she will either do or be able 10 re-
sumo her place in Italian society For naturaI4y
r,eople there now regard her as having Deen an
along q secret agent-in plain words, spyaof
the German government
Foreign women who interest and infatuate the
leading statesmen and dgnitarfes Of the govern
rnent Of the country in which they may happen 10
have temporarily set up their tent always expose
therasslves 10 charges OF this nature, and long Is
the list Of the women Of note and OF high ana ioW
degree 70 whom intrigues Of this kind have been
imputed, sometimes justly and sometimes too'
xtthos1. ary cause. Be this il may, there is no
doubt that Il General Salettas fair execu-
rrx and lega1ee in any way interested IN MS
rspers and correspondence she had plenty OF time
20 master their contents before she restored them
70 the Italian War Department