Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-11-22
EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEF is DEAD,

No reader of the tragic chapter Of European royal
history brought to close by the death of the aged
Emperor Franz Josef tor Francis Joseph, TO the
English spelling Of Austria help but feel some
sentiments of pity.
Yet this death. which all but completes the dis,
solution of the still proud house of the Hapsburgs.
is an intrinsic part of the story Of moral decay
which has been the scandal Of Europe and Europes
most corrupt courts, for longer than generation.
The death of Francis Joseph is d remarkable
climax to the long list of tragedies iii the Hapsburg
fanlily-a list unparalleled in any other reigning
house in Europe. He dies in The midst of the worlds
greatest which he himself largely brought about
by his determination to avenge the act of assassina
ton. of his heir. the Archduke Francis Ferdinand
the result of an alleged Serbian conspiracy, while
on state visit to Bosnia June %, 1914
In 1853 the list of tragic incidents began with an
attshpt upon his life. In 1861 his brother. the
Archduke Macmillan, after three years experiment
as Emperor of Mexico, captured by the army of
the Patriots and condemned to death by court
tiaf whose sentence executed notwithstanding
niefcession in his behalf by the governments of the
United States, England and Prussia.
There followed the burning to death of Il niece in
Kfeifna; sister met similar fate in Paris and a.
COUSIN drowned himself in Stahrrnberg Lake. Yet
these we're but minor tragedies in comparison with
thatlwhich befel the ancient house of the Hapsburgs
in 1889 when Rudolf the imperial prince upon whom
the. Austrians pinned their hopes, met death in
mystery which to this day is not cleared
Glouded in still deeper mystery, if possible, was
the disappearance that same year of Francis JOS
eplfs favorite nephew, the Archduke Johann Saliva
tor. Heir TO the throne at the death of Rudolf, he
renounced all his hperial dignties and fled the
country as John 0rth, captain Of merchant ship,
never TO be heard of again. The next of kin, the
Archdnke Francis Ferdinand, who became heir pre-
sumltve added a further burden to his uncles
heart by mDrganatic marriage to Sophie the coun
tess of Chotek. 1t was he and his wife who were
assassnated at Sarajevo in June, 1914.
But il is doubtful if any all of these reverses
weighed more heavily upon the emperors heart than
the tragedy at Geneva, when the Empress Elizabeth
Wild had been called the most beautiful woman in
Europe, stabbed TO death by man. Italian
anarchist in 1898 True, she long had been estrang
ed from the emperor but he had ceased to res
pect and adore her. When courier brought him
the news of the crime he explained ALAS. nothing
can be spared me, nothing
After each blow he renewed his devotion to the |
state, his only solace being in harder work. He
labored prodigiously. He was beloved for his kind
illness, his modesty and political recttude, and his
high moral courage made it possible for him to hold
in leash the Czechs the Poles the Serbs the Ruthen
ians and the Bulgars who made up the mosaic of
nationalities in his dual empire
1t is perhaps Il tribute TO the emperor's character
that only one scandal concerning his own private
life ever continued in circulation This was his in
timacy with Katherine Schratt, an actress of much
talent. Who after the Empress Elizabeth had be- /
COME estranged from his consort appeared the |