The Detroit times., 1910-01-21
RUSPOLI CASE
DIVIDES SOCIETY
Feeling Over Disputed Inheritance
of Famous Castle of Nemi
Grows Interesting. u

ROME. Jan. 21-The trouble which
has arisen over the will OF the late
Prince Enrico RuspoH between the
widow (nee Berry of Oakhill. Ga.) and
his brother. Prince Umberto, threatens
10 divide society into two distinct
camps, so high has feeling risen.
Those who side with Ruspoi declare
that the disputed castle and estate OF
Nemi were bought by the late prince
with his own money, while the parti-
sans OF the widow retort that. al
though the property was In the princes
name, she provided the money, as H.
was notorious that he had little or
nothing OF his own.
Most Americans in Rome side with
Princess Enrico. although Princess
Poggio-Suasa (nee Curtis Of New
York; sides with her late husbands
family.
This case may have such important
developments as to create "A precedent
In the legal principle In questions OF
the same kind between Americans and
Italians. The friends OF the princess
say that her argument. which they
consider very strong. will be more
foIcible if backed by the American
press and by the feeling OF the people
OF the United States. Here Is the case
In the simplest manner possible.
When. eight years ago, she married
Prince EnricO, who was then already
In poor health. all her property was
put in his name she made a will con-
shutting him her heir In case of her
death, and was assured that he had
done likewise toward her. Wishing
to buy a castle for their residence,
they finally settled upon the historic
one OF Nemi, which belonged to the
Orsini, and was TO be sold at auction.
The castle was paid for, OF course,
with the princess's money, but the
deeds were made out in Prince En-
ricos name. The princess then set
To work 10 restore the castle and to
furnish II with objects really belong
ing 10 the epoch in which IL was
built. and she spent on this twice as
much as the castle had cost in itself
For eight years she was a most ex-
emplary and self-sacrificing wife. She
had the best specialists in Europe at
tend the prince in the hope OF finding
remedy for the anaemia which had
undermined his constitution. Three
years ago the doctors thought he
might be suffering from an affection
OF the liver and he went through an
explorative operation at Berne, which,
however confirmed the diagnosis
which attributed his illness entirely
10 anaemia. On that occasion, just
before the operation, he showed his
wife his will. according TO which, with
the exception of the small amount left
him by his father, who had died a few
months before, all the property was
left to his wife, who was In reality al
ready the owner of 1t. "i+
Princess Ruspoli went on living
TRANQUILITY with regard TO this until, OH
the death OF her husband, she was
| startled by being confronted with a
later will, in which everything, ex-
cept what by law cannot be alienated
from her, was left 10 his brothers
This includes the castle OF Nemi, with
its splendid furniture and the sur
rounding estate.
Even now the princess cannot ex-
plain the change In her husbands will
unless IL was that some one. taking
advantage OF his weak condition, IN
duced him TO change the testament
without her knowledge.
Princess Ruspoli who Is still living
at the Castle OF Nemi. is going 70 fight
10 the bitter end to have her rights
acknowledged. She speaks Italian
in appearing before the courts, and
will give an example OF what an
American woman can do.