Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-12

" l. ~A1V4 IL
i'm this way. Many people believe that
Sophia Chotek's destiny has already been
written in this sacred book.
Sophia Chotek's Diplomacy.
Everybody agrees that she has con-
Quoted herself with unerring tact and
discretion. AS a diplomatist she has no
superior.
In the first place, after her marriage
she undertook to make herself solid with
the Vatican. in which she was remarka-
bly, successful. She will have the sup
port and blessing of the Pope without
qua LITIGATION.
Her next step was to ingratiate herself
with the sovereigns of Europe. She began
with the German emperor. who mas long
b en- seeking to unite the two German
speaking empires upon closer terms
The kaiser's attitude toward the Count
ess Chotek from the beginning has been
invited Franz Ferdinand TO shooting
party. he made a special request that the
latter's wife should accompany him.
Since then she has visited Berlin on
several occasions, and has been received
with the same distinction that would be
paid to an empress. At the German court
she has conducted herself with dignity
and discreet self-effacem MT which has
caused both the Empress Augusta and
the emperor himself to show her the more
att ntion.
The gosips say that the kaiser told
King Edward VII at their last meeting
that he should support any claim Sophia
ChQtek should make upon the throne of
Austria.
Alliance With Kaiser's Daughter.
AT the same time the gossips say that
l,,lyo
Otto and a granddaughter Of the Emperor
of Austria, Us TO marry Victoria Luise.
daughter of the kaiser. Announcement
OF their engagement has betn expected
for many months.
He is twenty-five years old, and she is
eighteen. 1t Is a love match. The young
couple have been devoted to each other
since they were children.
Sveral reasons are ascribed for the de-
lay In announcing the engagemf Mt, but
are all based upon conjecture. 1t is sa j.
for instance, that the kaiser Is reluctant
to have his daughter renounce Il re-
ligion, as she must do if she becomes a
member OF the Austrian imperial family.
Other people go farth and say that
will shape themselves after the death Of
Francis Joseph. He, like everybody else.
knows that Franz Ferdinand is the most
unpopular Hapsburg.
Archduke Carl is the most popular. II
the people or the army were to have the
choice, Carl would be the next emperor.
Hungary Hates Him.
There does not seem to be any question.
however, as to the succession in Austria.
In Hungary, however, in every cafe and
barrack you can hear at any time opin-
ions and even threats that Franz Ferdi-
ufn no oil fn
that part Of the empire.
He is not onl ythe most unpopular man
in all the kingdom, but the Hungarians
actually hate him. When they mention
his name they use epithets which cannot
be printed
gratiate himself in the affections of the
Hungarians. He has seldom visited that
part OF the empire.
He went over there last spring to assist
In the entertainment of the King Of Bull
garia and rode through the streets Of
Budapest without receiving a cheer. Many
people Kissed him. He was several times
fnsulted.
He has never taken the trouble to learn
the Magyar language and has shown
equal Indifference to the Croatians and
the other nineteen millions of his future
subjects. They declare they will not have
him for their king and still lament the
death Of Prince Rudolph. who spoke their
language. sang their songs. recited Their
poetry, climbed their mountains. hunted
In their forests, kissed their children and
gave them his winning smiles.
There Is no question as to the recogni-
ton Of the Duchess Won Hohenburg as
Queen Of Hungary If Ter husband is
recognize any difference between a royal
and a morganatic wife and the point
would not be raised.
Home Ru1o for Hunoorv
There is a rumor that the archduke is
in favor of absolute home rule for Hun
gary. and a federation on plan not I'M
like that OF the United States for the five
great racial divisions Of the Austro-
Hungarian empire. This is mere con-
lecture. He has never expressed his
opinions on any political subject so far as
known.
For several years after his marriage
Franz Ferdinand lived in Bohemia, the
home Of his wife, and had an unusual op-
portunity to make friends with that por-
ton of his future subjects. But he treat
ed them with the same indifference and
contempt that he has always shown the
Hungarians. and never went out Of his
way for single step to make q friend.
His official duties were performed
through automotons. He never Permitted
went out among them he preserved a
courteous and dignified but unbending
and ungraciOus demeanor.
Those whose business 1t is to defend
him insist that his behavior Is due to
natural diffidence and reserve The warm
hearted and emotional Czechs cannot be
convinced of that theory.
They love Francis Joseph. their VEN
cradle emperor. They hate his chosen
successor. Notwithstanding their pride in
having a Czech upon the throne, they are
not able to stir up any enthusiasm.
The Bohemians, like the Hungarians,
are ia king Of independence when the old
emperor dies. A strong party is being
organized to promote a plan of separation