New-York tribune., 1909-06-12
ACTRESS AND EMPRESS.

Every and again rumors have been current
70 the effect that the aged Emperor Of Austria
had contracted a morganatic alliance with the
popular actress Katti Schratt, who is not unknown
On the stage in this country The people respon-
sibe for these foolish rumors were evidently un-
aware that Nine. Schratt had a husband living.
He was Nicholas Won Kiss, Consul General OF
stria-Hungary in Algiers, and he has just died
al his wifes villa in the Hietzng suburb Of Vienna,
nursed there by her during illness of several
months which h has succumbed- He
member Of Of the most respected families OF
the petty nobility Hungary, and leaves by his
marriage with the popular actress a son. Anton
Won Kiss, who is one Of the secretaries Of the
Austrian Embassy at Constantinople.
While calumny has been rife abroad regarding
hatu Schratt, the other hand. in Austria, and
especially at Vienna, the people have never had
any doubts 10 the perfectly platonic nature of
her relations with Emperor, the best proof of
which furnished BY the friendship and re-
ssrd with which she treated by all the men,
pers Of the imperial family. Moreover, only a few
years ago, that is to say, some time after the
death OF Empress Elizabeth. she invited by
une Iatter's sister, the Countess Tranf to accom-
pany her during trip in Italy, and at Rome both
women were received together in private audience
b. the PontiR
One of Kattfs best friends and kindest patrons
was the Empress Elizabeth whose untimely death
fhe deeply mourned. and long the Empress
lived Katu saw much of the Emperor than
subsequent % the tragedy. For when the EN-
press there 10 sanction the perfectly innocent
friendship with the Emperor, one could say
anything against it or find fault Herewith. since
Tie Empress was known be too high spirited
and deeply religious a woman TO countenance any
thing that would be in the least degree question
able. Many is the time that she lunched with the
Imperial couple at the Empress's suburban palace
Of Lsinz. while Elizabeth on many an occasion
called On her at her cottage on the heights above
lschl where the actress wont TO spend the
summer From the moment that the Empress dis
appeared from the scene and longer there
10 Constitute z sort Of guarantee that there was
no cause for scandal matters assumed a very diff
ierent aspect and the Empresss own daughters
we're the mrs: 70 call the attention of the actress
70 the rnaleyoient gossip which current abroad
ana which affecting the good name Of their
iather well implying the grossest disrespect
10 the memory of their deeply mourned mother
They did this in the frendIiest fashion, and that
there has been no diminutiOn In the kindly feeling
of the entire imperial family for the actress is
Shown by her staying Munich with the EN-
perors eldest daughter. Archduchess Gisela, mar
1led 10 Prince Leopold of Bavaria; Wallsee with
Archduchess Marie Valerie, and in Paris with the
ex-Queen OF Naples.
hatt Schratt who. despite her age-she is nearer
sixty than hfty-is one of the most amusing type
Of the Viennese people, in whose company It is
ana even looks create sunshine and merriment. is
the late Empress and her suggestion was created
hy The Emperor Countess OF Lsyfenthurn. title
which was borne prior TO her marriage by her