The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-22
CLOSES LONGEST
ACTIVE REIGN IN
WORLD HISTORY
Life of Franz Josef Marked by
Many Tragedies.
Climax of Long List of Deaths
in Family.
GOVERNED AUSTRIA So YEARS
Saw Rise and Decline of Many
Great Empires.
Suicides and Murders Cursed
House of Hapsburg.
Saw Rise and Decline of Many
Great Empires.
Suicides and Murders Cursed
House of Hapsburg.

The death of Franz Josef is a re-
markable climax to the long list of
tragedies in the Hapsburg family-a
list unparalleled in any other reign
ing house in Europe He dies in the
midst OF the worlds greateFt war,
which he himself largely brought
about by his determination to avenge
the act of assassination of his heir.
the Archduke Francis Ferdinand. as
the result of an alleged Serbian con-
spiracy. while on state visit to Bos-
MIA on June %, 1914
Franz Josef was Sc years old at the
time Of his death He was born Aug
ust IS. 1890. He was only 10 years
of age when he assembled the throne OF
Austria. upon the abdication OF his
uncle. Ferdinand l., December ?, 1913.
making his active reign extend over a
period of sixty-nine years. all but the
first twenty of which he was also
apostolic king Of Hungary II Is
doubtful that if in all history there
has been an active. authenticated
reign that was longer. In recorded
history there certainly has been no
reign II equal duration to that OF
Franz Josef. Louis XIV OF france
vas nominally king for seventy-two
years He actually occupied the
throne for little more than half CEN
fury. A closer rival, and the only
On,. of modern times, was Queen VIC
toria. who reigned for sixty-four
years
The aged monarch. altho he had
suffered serious inroads upon his
health for many years past. was
strong enough to keep firm grip on
affairs of state almost TO the last
There were repeated reports of a
serious illness from a bronchial affec-
ton. and frequently rumors of his
death. which were proven unfounded.
-Trr 1e4raTs
made from Vienna Some OF the re-
ports asserted that his mind had be-
come affected thru worry over the
great war but the truth of these ru-
mors was not admitted.
Started Present War
The ultimatum OF July %, 1914,
which Franz Josef sent 10 King Peter
of Serbia. denouncing the anti-Aus-
trian propaganda in that country and
demanding prompt punishment of the
assassins of Archduke Ferdinand. was
supposedly dictated by Franz Josef
himself and it was this documene that
directly precipitated the war now raw
aging Europe. Five days later after
Serbia had complied with all the de-
MAIDS with the exception of agreeing
TO allow Austrian authorities TO enter
Serbia TO stamp out The alleged anti
Austrian conspiracies Franz Josef
declared war.
JOset's reign was one OF the most
eventful in history. From his imper-
ial vantage point he saw the French
monarchy go down, the second empire
rise and crumble. the commune flare
briefly, and the republic of today rise
on its ashes: he saw the black pinions
OF the Prussian eagle stamped on the
flag OF the new German empire-lauer
TO tower threateningly over Austria it
self; he saw the papacy shorn of its
territorial demesne, while about
pickering family of petty princiDali-
ties was welded into united Italy: he
saw Spain, once the greatest of col
onial powers. lose the last of her de
Tendencies in two oceans: he saw Jap
an opened to western civilization. and
later defeat the spraWling colossus of
Two continents; he saw the most abso-
lutte espotisms-Russia. Turkey and
Persia-concede representation to the
people: he saw at a distance the Unit
ed States cement its federation with
the blood OF a great internecine war,
and he saw his own brother prove that
monarchy could not take new root On
American soil.
In his own country he faced internal
dissensions and external aggressions
from the moment he came to the
throne. By the war of 1859 with
France and Sardinia. he was forced TO
cede Lombardy to Italy: by force Of
arms and treaty he lost the Duchy Of
Holstein to Prussia and Venice to
Italy; and by the revolt of Kossuth.
the Hungarian patriot. he barely es-
capped having his dual empire cut in
two
But in human interest his personal
sorrows overshadowed all One after
another they came upon him. In
1853 the list of tragic incidents began
with an attempt upon his own life. IN
1867 his brother. the Archduke Max