Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-07-09
PRINCE IS THE REAL
POWER BEHIND THRONE
Francis Ferdinand, Son Of
Francis Joseph, of Austria,
a Strong Character.

1890 aass $3.50
prince, although not upon the throne,
has been the power behind the throne
during the last four years.
At the maneuvers in Keszthely
(Hungary) last September the emperor
king addressed the following signifi-
cant words to his army: Il am tired
and old; / need a rest, and want peace
Beside him stood the imposing figure
of Francis Ferdinand, who has since
been responsible for the annexation of
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the sub
sequent imbroglio.
francis Ferdinand is in the zenith of
his manhood. Years ago he fell in love
with the Countess Sophie Chotek, a
lady In waiting to Princess Stephanis,
a member OF an old Bohemian family
OF noble descent. All efforts and en-
treaties OF the emperor failed to influ-
ence him, n rs "a final endeayor to
prevent this m~esalliance, Francis Jo-
seph sent him away for a year on a
voyage around the world.
During his absence a rumor was cur
rent that he was ~consumptive, but this
was entirely erroneous. He is a man
of iron constitution, a famous horse
man, an intrepid huntsman, a keen
swordsman.
Moreanstic Marriage.
Returning, ne did not forget his love,
and he morganatically married Count
ess Chotek, who is now Princess Ho-
henberg. This means hat h can
never be empress and queen, nor her
son emperor and king. Francis Ferdi-
nand's action shows the will n energy
of the man, his determination to have
his own way. on his accession, the
Budapest parliament at Budapest Will
recognize his wife as queen of Hun
gary, and ii is possible that he may be
able to set aside tradition n force
her to be recognized as empress OF
Austria.
Eight years have elapsed since the
marriage, and during this period Fran
| els Ferdinand has remained in retire.
ment either in Prague or Vienna, but
he has not spent his time idly. When
Pope Leo XIII was head of the Cath
Ollie world the papal diplomacy had
great influence at the Catholic courts.
The palace OF Francis Ferdinand was
a favorite resort OF the Jesuit priests.
He was a devout son of his church, and
his aim, then, was to find favor at the
Vatican, and in this he succeeded.
Time passed and circumstance
changed. The gentle n peace loving
Plus X became pope, and a Fer
1inand turned suddenly from Rome,
and leaving the Jesuits, to whom he Ia
allied by memories of his youth. as
Eumed a new role at court.
The Emperor Francis Joseph has
learned wisdom from bitter experience.
Revolution, defeats, the loss of the
headship OF the German states. the loss
Of AustPia's dominions in Italy, mad
him an earnest lover OF peace. and the
latter part of his reign has been de-
voted to quiet commercial development.
The holding together of the mutually
Entagonistic portions of his empire, and
The preservation OF good relations with
foreign powers. Most of his advisers
have been the friends of his youth
tactful, wise. experienced statesmen.
New Order Begins.
The new order began I'm 1905. In that
year the emperor became i'll, and the
clever, ~tyrannic, modern Francis Ferdi-
nand began TO assert himself The old
statesmen began to drop away-in
! Austria men like Count Goluchowsky,
Paar, Bolfras, Baron Beck, head Of the
army; on the Hungarian side, the 1867
observation-disclosures, Tfsza, Desider
Szilagyi, Pulszky, joke the great
novelist.
The liberal party, to which the new
life of Hungary owes it's existence,
Jailed. The Kossuth party came into
power, but is already stamped with
failure.
In Austria, the different ~nationalities,
Bohemians, Poles, Pan-Germans, Croa-
tians, and Dalmatians started to quar-
rel openly and bitterly.
Francis Ferdinand stand out clearly
the man Of the moment. He has turned
his back on the pope. His friend and
adviser is the Kaiser Wilhelm, the
Protestant. The high places of state
hre filed with new men, energetic, ar
rogant, and active.
Baron Aehrenthal holds the foreign
office, Conrad Won Hetzendorf is head
Of the army, and the Austrian Prime
Minister is Baron Binert. In Hungary
@ new party has arisen which unites
the Clericals, Agrarians, and the Con-
servatives, and this is led by Count
Johan Itchy, the intimate friend of the
~hrchdukes.
francis Joseph sees on his jubilee,
while the crown is still upon his head.
The reins of government in the hands OF
his heir.
In a Hurry.
To him, as have said, belongs the
credit for the annexation OF Bosnia and
credit for the annexation of Bosnia an
credit for h annexation OF Bosnia an
Herzegovina, which was premature,
hltimed and ~illtudged. But the heir
presumptive canine walt. He wants
10 prove that a new man is wanted, and
That, as in 1913 Ferdinand V. abdicated,
20 in 1903 Francis Joseph must abdi-
rate.
ne is u young man IN a hurry. he
desires TO make history.
Baron Aehrenthal humiliates himself
TO he Turks, but is merciless TO the
Servians. A war with Turkey might
have "a doubtful end; with Servia, the
Issue is certain. Francis Ferdinand
yearns to begin his reign with a sue
cessful war.
II is widely believed that Francis
Joseph Will retire during 1909. In Aus
tria, II is probable that his successors
accession would be quietly accepted:
but what would happen In Hungary,
where he must tak the bath to re-
spect the constitution?
1t shout be remembered that the
hatred of Seryia is directed solely
against Austria, despite the fact tina
the Austrian Press continually reports
anti-Hungarian demonstrations In Bel
grade. By her recent high handed ac-
ton In the Balkans. Austria, indeed,
not only threatens the existence OF
Servia, but also pretudices the SUI
premacy of h Magyar race In Hun
gary.
Sooner or later this will become a
matter OF the greatest concern In Buda-
pest. Austria Hungary has been for
years the Quietest of the great powers.
h is now h center Of unrest. and
men are already asking themselves
x.,hat m~,wnt~ ru--A-