Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-01

~ youthful member OF the great
Rothschild family. CT Paris, is held
there as prisoner of war, and indicates
that the Austrian soldiers are deriving
great pleasure from making the young mill
ionaire do hard work in the fields.
The news reaches here by way Of The
Hague. and states that the prisoner is held
at Lerchenfeld. near Vienna, where there
Is large camp Of prisoners taken from the
allies by the Germans and the Austrians
The dispatch states that strong efforts
were made through the Spanish Embassy,
which represents French interests in
enemy countries, 10 have special treatment
accorded to young Baron de Rothschild.
The military authorities. according to the
dispatch. resented this interference, and
as reply set the young millionaire at the
hardest possible work
1t is mentioned that they set him 10
work with plough, and it is considered
probable that when all the ploughing is
done they will put him to mending roads,
as that appears to be the fayorite occupa-
ton selected by the German military au-
thorities for their prisoners.
The only indication given concerning his
capture is that he was driving an automo-
bile when caught by the Germans.
Inquiries have been made in Paris to
ascertain who the captured Rothschild
can be, but there is still some uncertainty
on the subject. All Frenchmen are liable
to military service without distinction Of
rank or social position, and the Rothschilds
are no exception TO the rule. Even priests
are compelled to fight.
1t is thought probable that the prisoner
Is the young Baron Robert de Rothschild,
who is regarded as one Of the most prom.
Using of the younger members OF the
worlds greatest banking family. 1t Is pos
sfble, however, that the prisoner is Baron
Henri de Rothschid. a man Of mature
years. who Is a qualified doctor and has
been laboring among the sich and wounded
soldiers. The statement that the prisoner
was taken in an automobile is the princi-
pal ground for supposing that he was Baron
Henri, but his friends are inclined to be-
lieve that he will soon return to Paris.
The Rothschild family stands in an ex'
traordnary position with regard to the
war. 1t has branches In five OF the coun'
tries involved England, France, Germany,
Austria and Belgium 1t is believed that
at least seven members of the family are
fghting-four on the side of the allies and
three on the other.
1t is hardly necessary to say that the
Rothschilds are the financial kings Of Eu.
rope, and to a great extent of the rest OF
the world No great financial operation is
ever undertaken by government without
their assistance. 1t is announced that they
have tried to be impartial in this war, each
member giving his best support to the
country where he is domiciled.
However, it must be remembered that
the English branch of the house Is the
senior and inherited the original family
property at Frankfort and that the French
branch has In recent years shown the most
financial ability. Therefore it would seem
that the preponderance of influence Of the
family must be on the side of the allies
Torn asunder by the war and forbidden
under terrible penalties to have dealings
with citizens Of an enemy country, the
Rothschilds must have been forced to give
up the system Of keeping international