The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-01-21
.RUsPOLI CASE
DIVIDES SOCIETY
Feeling Over Disputed Inheritance
of Famous Castle of Nemi
Grows Interesting.

ROME, Jan. 2l-The trouble which
has arisen over the will OF the late
Prince Enrico Ruspoi between the
widow (nee Berry OF oakhill. Ca and
his brother. Prince Umberto threatens
10 divide society into TWO distinct
camps. so high has feeling risen.
Those who side with Ruspoli declare
that the disputed castle and estate OF
Nemi were bought by the late primes
with his own money, while the par'i'
sans OF the widow retort that al
though the property was In the pFihee
pane, she provided the money, jas II
was notorious that he had htl'e VI
nothing OF his own,
/ Most Americans in Rome SIDE Win
! Princess EnricO. although Princess
! Poggio-Suasa (nee Curtis of Ne"
York; sides with her late husband
family.
This case may have such important
developments as 10 create a precedent
in the legal principle IN questions OF
the same kind between Americans anu
Italians. The friends OF the princess
say that her argument, which they
consider very strong, will De more
forcible 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 will con-
shutting him her heir in case OF her
death. and was assured that he had
done likewise toward her. Wishing
10 buy castle for their residence,
they finally settled upon the historic
one OF Nemi. which belonged TO the
lOrsini, and was 10 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-
rico's name. The princess then set
TO work 10 restore the castle and TO
furnish il with objects really belong
ing TO the epoch in which II was
built. and she spent on this twice as
. much as the castle had cost In itself.
, For eight years she was most ex-
emplaTy and self-sacrihcing 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 be
: 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
!. ito anaemia. on that occasion, just
be fore 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 few
rtmCnths before. all the property was
n left 10 his wife who was In reality al
/ ready the owner OF IL.
2 Princess Ruspoli went on Twin:
! TRANQUILITY with regard 70 this until. ol
: the death of her husband, she wa'
/ startled by being confronted with ;
o later viii. in which everything. ex
cept what by law cannot be alienatet
I from her. was left 10 his brothers
3 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 10 fight
10 the bitter end TO have her rights
} Acknowledged. She speaks Italian
luently. and will have no hesitation
J in appearing before the courts. and
will give an example OF what an
American woman can do.
Her friends say that her wrongs
are so patent that she deserves the
full support Of public opinion in her
country and OF the representative OF
the American government here.