The Washington herald., 1911-06-03

I read in the official court Journal OF
the Vienna Hofburg that the Austrian
grand chamberlain's office at last has de-
cided that the Archduke Johann John
Orth) is dead. The court chamberlain's
judicial court at Vienna was moved last
July to declare the Archduke Johann Sal
vator dead. But following this the court
directed postponement of six months
to allow the possible furnishing Of any
proofs that the Hapsburg scion still was
alive.
The strange story. one Of the strang-
est in fact and most interesting Of the
royal courts of Europe. is no secret
Archduke Johann Salvador was born in
lSo2 His father was the Grand Duke
Leopold II OF Tuscany. Young Johann
carly showed marked skill as a military
commander and at the early age OF
thirty-one was made field marshal. Nor
was 1t in his case an empty title. He
won the distinction and promotion fair
ly when In charge Of an Austrian army
corps during the campaigns in Bosnia,
where his achievements brought him
many honors.
But the young archduke also was gull
ty Of having brains. He proposed a
scheme for the reform Of the Austrian
army. which was Indignantly rejected as
revolutionary. This caused consterna-
ton at the Vienna war office. and the
archduke was reduced from his rank and
forbidden to appear at court. The dis
grace from the army was a great blow
to him. and so also was the death CT the
Crown Prince Rudolph. his intimate
friend, who committed suicide under the
most tragic circumstances.
The archduke then fell in love with
Mill Stubel. a fascinating opera dancer
In Vienna, whom he. as Johann Orth,
married in a London register office. He
then bought the Santa Margherita. an
iron sailing ship of about 1900 tons. at
Hamburg, and set out for South America
with a cargo OF cement.
1t Is supposed that on this voyage the
ship was wrecked. for nothing was ever
heard Of 1t after It had left 1quique.
A man-o'-war was sent to search
the coast, but no trace OF the
wreckage could be found. Mill stubel
in one of her last. letters home
where they hoped to live happily
ever afterward but notwithstand
ing occasional reports Of Johann Orth's
reappearance-there was a startling one
in 1907 in the United States-no authentic
been received. and insurance companies
have had to pay the money for which his
life was insured.
In connection with King Georges visit
to Newmarket It is recalled that horse
racing in some form always has been
recognized by British royalty. Among
the monarchs who have taken a prac-
teal interest in the turf may be men,
toned Henry VIII. Charles H. who was
an accomplished rider of race horses:
Queen Anne, who did a great deal to
popularize racing in the north of Eng
land: George ", who. as Prince of Wales.
won the Derby with. Sir Thomas in
IFS, eight years after the institution of
the EPSON events: William ". Edward
VII. and the present King.
William ". though keeping up a large
stud of race horses, apparently did not
possess much practical knowledge of the
turf as II is on record that when asked
by his trainer what horses should carry
the royal colors at Ascot, the sailor king
replied in his characteristic blunt
fashion: why, start the whole squad:
some of them must win
That King George will give the same
extensive patronage to the turf as did
his late father. Edward VII there is every
reason to expect according to well-post
ed English race horse men. AS Prince
of Wales he kept several brood mares at
Sandringham. but their progeny al
ways was sold. Just now King George
has twenty-three horses in training un-
der Richard Marsh, at Egerton House,
and a number of these have been en-
tered for several weight-for-age races
In addition to three home-bred colts his
majesty has entered Polo. a colt, by Vol
odyovski-Runaway Match (bred by Lady
WARWICK, and Mirabeau, a colt by Lord
Bobs-Mirabelle (bred by the Messrs.
Hoole), for the Derby of 1912. while Mad
Meg, a chestnut daughter Of Martagon-|
Mundon (bred by Lady WARWICK. is en-
tered cor the Oaks of 1912. The foals at
Sandringham are a very promising lot,
indeed. some of the best bred there for
some time.
It may be remembered that at a dinner
a few years ago at Newmarket the ques-
ton of King Edwards indifferent luck
with his horses that season was men,
toned, and King George then Prince of