Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-29

u
the present war in Europe is the
charge that tho German Crown
Prince. eldest son of the Kaiser, personally
pilaged the Chateau de Baye in France
At first sight it seems absurd to suggest
that the heir to great Empire, who en-.
joys vast revenues would stop to plumber
the house OF private nobleman.
The charge, however, derives importance
from the fact that 1t is made by the wife
OF the owner of the chateau, the Baroness
de Baye. In a letter to Paris newspaper,
the Matin. she describes just how the
Crown Prince visited her chateau and what
he took. Her letter is printed In full else
where on this page.
1t was at the time the victorious Ger
man movement toward Paris was at Its
height that this incident occurred. The
Crown Prince Frederick William was then
in command of the German army of the
centre, and undoubtedly the forward move
ment Of the army toward the River Marne
brought him into the vicinity OF the
Chateau dc Baye.
This chateau would naturally be an OBJ
ject OF attraction to- a person bent on PHI.
lage. It's contents are noted among col
lectors and archaeologists throughout Eu-
rope 1t contains the finest collection of
Russian art objects owned by anybody in
Western Europe. The present Baron de
Baye has spent neutrality-suspicious. travel
ling in Russia and collecting Russian art
Among these Specimens are many ikons,
or sacred Russian images. vases and other
beautiful examples of metal work for which
Russia is nyted. Many of these objects
are OF soid gold. Some of the finest of
them were given to Baron de Baye by the
present and the late Car. The Baron is
now travelling in Russia.
Baron joseph de Baye is distinguished
archaelogst. Before he made speciality
of Russitn subjects he gained reputation
as an authority on Anglo-Saxon art.
The Chateau de Baye is very ancient like
many others in France, but enjoys the I'm.
usual distinction Of having been occupied
by tht same family from the beginning 1t
is neAr the village of Champaubert, and the
nearest town of any size is Chalonssur.
Marie, which is celebrated in history as
the place where the Romans defeated Attila
the Hun. These places are in the Cham
payne country
The Baroness de Baye, who makes the
charges against the Crown Prince, was by
birth an Oppenheim, Il member of the noted
fsmily of bankers. Her father was the late
Herman Oppenheim of Paris, formerly of
Frankfort Her mother was a Mile de
Chabert a, member of the French aristoc.
jracy. The Baroness is a Catholic and so
I is one Of her brothers.
The Oppenhems are we'll known in finan.
cial circles in New York. A friend of the
family in New York furnished these details
concerning the Chateau and the family
that owns it:
1.-THE Chateau de Baye near Chambaubert
dates from the fifteenth century, and has
been in the family of the Baron de Baye
ever since. 1t has different wings, the last
structure having been erected in 1854. 1t
is famous for its collection of arms, jewels
medals, ETC., dating from the fourteenth
century. The great gallery is noted for
its Flemish tapestries. This gallery also
contains famous collection of archaeo.
Logical treasures. This is evidently the
room to which the Baroness de Baye refers
particularly as having been pillaged by the
Crown Prince
THE Baron de Baye carried on explora.
tons in the Caucasus for twenty-eght
years and brought back many, old ikons,
statues and other relics from that part of
Russia. He is "a personal friend of the
Car and the Czarina.
THE chateau Is also famous for its EN-
pire collection, but the Baroness has still
larger collection of Empire furniture in her
Paris mansion, So Avenue de Ia Grande.
Armee.