The Washington herald., 1910-10-20
SUCCESSION to- THE
AUSTRIAN THRONE


Emperor William. during his visit to
Vienna last month. showed the most
marked consideration 10 the duchess OF
Hohenberg. former Countess Sophia
Chotek, morganatic wife Of the Archduke
Franz Ferdinand, heir TO the crowns of
the dual monarchy. The German EN-
peror indicated Enthusiastically that in his
duchess marriage is no impediment TO
the succession.
I have always maintained that in spite
OF his divine right" utterances. the Ger
man Emperor in reality is a most demo-
cratic man. He is a warm friend of the
Austrian heir. and his attitude may be
caused by this friendship Just the same.
there is nothing in the circumstance TO
diminish the public and private interest
which surrounds the development OF the
situation.
II is ten years since the Archduke Franz
Ferdinand renounced the right OF sue
eession 10 the throne for his children by
his union with the countess. Children
both male and female, since have been
born 10 that union and the countess has
been raised 10 the rank OF a duchess, "A
peeress. The Archduke is a man OF ac-
knowledged capabilities and force OF
character. He, it is admitted. is a ruler
OF men and is of a masterful disposition
1t is moro than questionable II such a
man will be content to sit on the throne
Of the Hapsburgs. 20 occupy It alone, 10
see other heirs than HIS own surround
him. and see his wife and children ostra-
cised as semi-aliens beyond the pale Of
the imperial blood Hardly!
Beyond the river that separates Aus
tria from Hungary. among the naughty
Magyar magnates whose ancestors swore
10 die for their king" Maria Theresa,
when In the seven years war she was
harassed by Frederic the Great OF Prus-
STA. the morganatic character OF the tie,
the remuneration Of imperial and royal
rights find no adhesion. There is no Ger
man "Ebenbuertigkeit" in free Hungary
is a comment heard often at Budapest,
and THE King Of Hungary's wife Is
Queen Of Hungary"
At party OF young mobiles a couple
OF years ago, the toast The future Queen
OF Hungary" drank in honor Of the NOR
ganatic wife OF the archduke. was ST.
lently opposed by the majority Of the
jewellers. But. in spite Of much tact
and caution, hot words were exchanged
and duel narrowly was avoided.
But there IS another phase Franz Josef
is very old man. Archduke Franz Fer
dinand is middle aged. II Il be true that
his morganatic family can have no claim
10 the succession, why then is the pre-
sumptive' heir, the prince who must sue
coed under the Remuneration act OF 1850
so completely absent from state ceremo-
Mails and tho practice Of the government
Archduke Karl Franz josef. son or Arch
duke Franz Ferdlnand's dead brother
Archduke Ohio, remains in the obscurity
OF hts Bohemian estate. though a young
man OF full age. Of military tastes. and
cultivated accomplishments. II is not
easy 20 see why a future emperor is TO
waste his prime In the unimportant Sc
cluslon OF country gentleman
II has been seldom indeed that Arch
duke Karl Franz Josef though uniting
She names Of the last Of the male Haps-
burgers and the first Of the LorraIners.
apparently. has been wanted at the Hof-
burg in Vienna Rumors even have been
encouraged 20 let the world know that
he Is addicted 70 the simple rfe and un-
ambitious OF imperial destinies. This.
I know, IS absolutely false. and n the
heir presumptlve under the renuuclation
act OF 1901 eventually IS set aside 70 Ger
talnly Will be with no desire on HIS part
70 abdicate.
There may be against him only a
woman; one woman OF commanding ma
ure and briIliancy who may be fighting
al the time for the children Of her heart.
separated. by what she calls A fiction
Of renunciauon," from the inheritance
Of the ancient Hapshurg crown. Were
the Duchess Of Hohenfels childless. there
would be less likelihood OF her becom-
ing Empress Sophia. on the other hand.
the young Archduke Karl Franz Josef
is IN the very prime Of life and when
have Hapsburg family councils ever
SURRENDERED the supreme right Of Haps-
burg blood? a poignant domestic crisis
will coincide with a moment1us dynastic
event