The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-01-10
CARES LITTLE FOR THE PEOPLE
Is Conceited, Bigoted, AbsoIutis.
tic and Reactionary
CRISIS MAY BE PRECIPlTATED

Vienna, Jan. l0.-The disquieting re-
ports concerning the venerable emper-
or's state of health and the rumors Of
his rapid decline which, in view of the |
advanced years OF the beloved mon
arch, are generally credited, have
brought Archduke Francis Ferdinand,
heir presumptive To the throne OF the |
dual monarchy into the limelight as
the coming man of the hour" IN
view of the complicated relations ex-
listing between the polyglot countries
and races included in Austria Hungary
and of the fact that the personality
and character of the future ruler alone
is believed To be able To prevent the
eventual disruption of the monarchy il
Is quite natural that the public is more
than ever interested in the Individual
traits, ideas. prejudices and tendencies
of the heir to the throne who may at
any moment, be called upon to assume
| the reins Of government
Archduke Francis Ferdinand was
chduke Rudolph. the only son of the
| emperor. met his death at Meyerliny
| on January 80, 1889 the succession to
the throne, i'm accordance with the
| Austrian law of succession. developed
! upon Archduke Karl Ludwig the en-
peror's younger brother. Karl Ludwig
died about ten or twelve years ago AMI
his son, Archduke Francis Ferdinand
became heir presumptive to the Aus
| tro- Hungarian throne.
Is Talented Man.
Francis Ferdinand was born De-.
ccmber Is, 1868 as the oldest of the
| five children of Archduke Karl Lud-
wig. He received a good education
scientific and literary as well as mill
tary and in later years gave evidence
of some literary ability and inventive
genius. He is credited with being the
author of several books of travel AMI
| a volume of poetry and is of con-
siderable musical ability. as per-
former as well as composer. He de.
veloped into an excellent horseman
and reinsman and like most of the
| HapsburGs is fond of hunting and an
| excellent shot.
There was a time when his health
was rather delicate and il was feared
! that he had consumption, but a year
in Egypt and continued outdoor life
and travel In different climates re-
stored his health and overcame what
ever tendency toward consumption he
many have had. To prepare him for
the duties connected with his future
position as emperor king Francis
Ferdinand years ago was made the
right hand man of the emperor and
brought in close touch with every de-
rartment Of the government. From
five to eight hours a day he was kept
at his duties and it is believed that
the heir to the throne is now in every
way fully prepared to assume the re-
sponsibiities of ruler.
Thinks Well Of Himself.
Francis Ferdinand has rarely ever
come i'm direct contact with the peo-
pie of the monarchy over which he is
soon to rule. IL is said that he has
an extremely exalted opinion of his
rank, that the common people are
mere cattle in his estimate and that
he thoroughly despises any leaning to-
ward democracy or liberalism. He is
devout Roman Catholic and has the
reputation of being extremely intol-
Grant in religious matters. Ii is an
open secret that the Archdukes SYM
| pathies are neither with the German
speaking element OF the monarchy nor
with the Hungarians, but with the
CZechs and the natural result of this
knowledge is that neither the Germans
nor the Hungarians are particularly
enthusiastic upon the subject of their
| future ruler. 1t is believed that his
penslavistic inclinatlons will soon
bring him into serious conflict with
the non slavic elements of this heter-
ogenous conglomeration of countries
| and races and will encourage the
C2echs who have always been jealous
Of the exceptional position of the
Hungarians. to precipitate a crisis In
the hope Of accomplishing their ends.
Is a Rsactionary.
Francis Ferdinand is said to be, in
many respects, a much stronger char
acter than the emperor. But he Is re-
puted to be far more reactionary than
Francis Joseph ever was, more bigoted.
more absolutistic and more aggressive.
These characteristics, together with
the fact that his morganatic marriage
| to Countess Chotek. who has since
then been elevated to the rank OF
Princess of Hohenberg and still later
10 -tha-raal Of A asStraau- - rch x3axchoss