New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-21

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LOUIS XVII, CHARLES LOUIS.
DUO DE NORMANDIE."
CFrom a portrait IN THE Last Legitimate
King OF France
been made out by the champions OF
the Naundorfs. No more interesting
mystery, or mystiflcation, can be found
In the whole range Of history than that
Of the man who suddenly emerged out
Of nowhere in 1910 and under the
name Of Charles Guillaume Naundorf'
established himself in Berlin as a
matchmaker This is the first estab-
lished appearance of the self-styled
son Of Louis XVI and Marie-An-
toinette. who died at Delft, in the
Netherlands. in 1916. and was buried
there as Louis XVII. Charles-Louis
Due de Normandie, Roi de France ct
de Navarro" the Dutch government
having recognized his claim as true.
The story, as set down here in its
completeness. is an astounding one. for
il charges that no less than twenty
seven murders were committed to keep
the secret of the abduction of the
Dauphin from the prison of the Temple,
and to do away with all proofs that
might have supported his claim to
the throne of France during the reigns
Of Napoleon. Louis XVIII, Charles y,
and the early days of that of Louis
Philippe. This list Of assassinations
includes the three physicians who at
tended the child in prison. several Of
its attendants. Generals Pichegru,
Hoche and de Frotte, the Empress
Josephine. and. finally, the Due de
Berri, who. so IL is asserted. recognized
he pretensions OF Naundorf as true
and supported them in the presence Of
Louis XVIII. The story is A mixture
II incontestable historic facts and Of
Inprovabie conjectures and assertions.
II is fairly certain that the Dauphin
lid not die in prison, as was long as
serted. but was removed to be held in
reserve as a hostage in case Of the re-
establishment of the monarchy. It is
also fairly well established that the
BOY died shortly afterward as did the
hid that was substituted for him and
uried under his name. Finally, it is
, acontestably true that in the making
cut Of the certificates Of death and
urial many irregularities were com
rnitted. that the three physicians died
shortly afterward, and that several Of
he other persons concerned later met
death under suspicious circumstances.
The theory evolved is that Barras,
eeeing the end of the republic APP
reaching. but not foreseeing the ad-
vsnt Of Napoleon, entered into negotia-
ons with the future Louis XVIII, and
{ the same time possessed himself Of
ne Dauphin in order TO secure his own
safety beyond the possibility Of treach-
cry. Properly rewarded, he would have
kept he boy in obscurity and in igno-
rance bf his own identity. Threatened
with punishment for his share in the
revolution. he would have produced the
rghtfui claimant to the throne. In
planning this coup, Barras, so we are
Invited 10 believe. consulted his good
friend Josephine de Beauharnais the
Isslxs Empress, who, the story goes on,
,onfided the secret to the Emperor
Alexander OF Russia on the occasion of
The first invasion Of France by the al
les in 1914. She died suddenly a day
or two afterward. poisoned, according
10 this long tale of violence. by order
II Louis XVIII, who. too, had long
Known OF the survival of his nephew
md rightful King. II is further added
hat the Empress Eugene in later
-ears affirmed the existence in the
Bonaparte family Of this tradition Of
he abduction of the Dauphin by Bar
as, and OF his existence at the time Of
he fall Of the first Empire. The fin
sf1ing touch OF the supernatural, even,
S not wanting. for there Is the won
irous story OF the peasant Martin, to
whom, in 1916, appeared the Archangel
Gabriel with the command that he
should go TO Louis XVIII, and TO him
peak the message that would be laid
lpon his lips. The King received this
bearer of an inspired command and
vas warned:
Beware OF ever allowing yourself to
,e crowned, for II ever you presume to
De anointed az king heaven will certainly
,trike YOU dead during the ceremony.
Jet off that throne upon which you have
10 manner of. right TO be seated, and lose
rot another hour in dispatching proper
nyoys throughout the provinces in order
o prepare the people for the accession
n their rightful sovereign.
Louis, according to the peasants
tory. promised 10 do all he could to
Ind his nephew. and implored him to
tesp quiet about his heavenly message.
m the accession OF Charles X, how