The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-08-20
EMPEROR IS 50
Francis Joseph Celebrates
His Birthday.
OLDEST MONARCH IN EUROPE
Natal Day of the Austrian Monarch
Was Celebrated in Elaborate
s. ). Fashion Throughout All
T. of Dual Empire.
OLDEST MONARCH IN EUROPE

Tschl. Upper Austria. Aug. 10
Franz Joseph emperorklng Of Aus
lria Hungary is eighty years old. and
the suspicious event was celebrated in
elaborate fashion in all parts Of the
dual monarchy.
Europes oldest monarch. despite be-
ing an octogenarian and having reign
eed over a realm Of many nati0naltles
for siVtytwo years. is In good health.
Seventyfour archdukes and arch.
duchesses of the Austrian imperial
house came here to congratulate Fran
els Joseph. kilograms and letter bear
ing fluctuations poured in form all
parts of the world
The city is decorated In Alpine fash
ion. and the streets through which
the emperor went on his way TO the
Kurhaus. where the state dinner in
honor Of the birthday was held. formed
a triumphal way with arches OF flags
and steamers Of bunting. Garlands
Of pine and Juniper were every
where with beautiful mountain flow
ers. The imperial family including
the little children. of whom the EN-
peror is so fond. and the aged mem
bers. such as Archduke Rainer who
is eightythree and his wife. Arch
duchess Marie Caroline. who IS eighty
five IS so numerous that II was ar.
ranged that the greetings to the aged
head of the house Of Hapsburg should
be extended by groups.
First came the emperor's two
daughters. Archduchesses Gisela and
Marie Valerie. their husbands and
children. Archduchess Elizabeth Marie.
the daughter Of the late crown prince.
with her two children. and the EN-
peror's only surviving brother Arch
duke Ludwig Victor. These consti
tute the family proper
The other family groups appeared
in the order Of their rights TO the
throne. First the emperors nephews
and their families. then the Tuscany
families. and last the distant cousins.
The grand dinner was given by the
emperor to all the adults Of the I'm
periai family In the Kursaal in lschl,
the villa being too small Seventy
six sat down to dinner. all members
Of the house Of Hapsburg. The chill
dren had their own festive table In
the imperial villa. with Archduchess
Marie Valerie's eldest boy and girl TO
preside over them.
Francis Joseph. the emperor-king OF
Austria-Hungary is often called the
Sovereign OF Sorrows" and not In
for his life has been
darkened by many sad events the
most notable being the suicide Of his
son and heir. the Archduke Rudolph.
and the assassination OF his wife. the
beloved kaiserin. while she was on a
visit to Switzerland for the benefit
OF her health.
Often Called Sovereign Of Sorrows"
There are many who say that the
emperors Unprecedented list Of sor
rows and family disasters is due to a
curse that is hanging over the house
Of Hapsburg. uttered by the aged
Countess Karbly. whose son was put
TO death for participating in the Hun
garian uprising Of ls4s. She called on
heaven and hell to blast the happl
ness Of the emperor. to extermlnate
his family. to strike him through those
be loved to wreck his life and to ruin
his children.
His wife. the good Elizabeth" as
sassinaed by an anarchist In Switzer'
land his brother Macmillan. exc
ruted in Mexico; his only son. Ru-
iolph. met a violent death: his sister
n.law. the Duchess lAlencon. burned
10 death at charity bazaar In Paris.
His favorite grandchild married
against his wishes and her love end. |
I'd in the shooting of her rival his
empire divided and waiting only his
Heath to go to pieces.
Even when in death the curse on
he emperor will follow him. for his |
successor. his nephew. Archduke
Franz Ferdinand, will bring wife,
Dut no empress, to the throne. Fer
llnand married the Countess Sophie |
Chotek, lady-in-waiting at the court,
md on June rs. 1900. the old emperor
announced to the empire |
hat his nephew's marriage was NOR
Fanatic. and therefore neither his wife
TOT his children had any of the rights
If the imperial family.
Francis Joseph himself has had a
left-handed" spouse in the person OF
Madame Katl Schratt. once court ac'
ress In Vienna, but known since the
of Empress Elizabeth,
n 1898, as the wife of the emperor.
he contracted a morganatic
marriage with her has never been
old, but at any rate she accepted the
tile OF wife as though she had a
light to IT,
The attachment between the EN-
)eror and the actress has been the
ak of the courts Of Europe for thirty
1ears, and not the least remarkable
If its features was the fact that II
vas encouraged by the empress her
lelf. who frequently invited the &C
ress to the royal palace, helped he's
o pay her bills. and in hundred ways
.reated her on the most intimate
.erms of friendship.
NOTICE