Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-22
EMPEROR FRANCIS
 JOSEPH IS DEAD
(Continued from Page One)

ately and take firm grip on the con- 1 fused state of affairs. With the royal funeral rites ob- l served, and the new heir, the young l Archduke Carl Francis Joseph, recog- nized, the venerable emperor and his l advisors turned to Servia with de- 1 mands which startled all Europe. From the ultimatum of July 23, denouncing the anti-AustIian propaganda, and de- ] manding prompt punishment of the assassins of Archduhe Ferdinand, ac- cording to items supposedly dictated by Francis Joseph himself, practically dates the war now ravag1ng Europe. In his manifes.o Of July 2S the day of formal declaration of war upon Servia, Francis Joseph said: "The intrigues of q maleVolent op- ponent compel me in defense of the ] honor of my monarchy and for the pro- lection of it's dignity and the security of it's possessions to grasp the sword after long years of peace.
 "The hope that Servia would keep it's word has not been fulfilled, the flame of its hatred for myself and my house has always blazed higher.
 Tn this solemn hour I am fully con- scious of the whole significance of my resolve and my responsibility before the Almighty. I have examined and weighed everything, and with serene conscience set out on the path that duty points,
 With the war. on, communication with Vienna was practically cut off. Runners of the e1nperoT's assassination, or his impending death from shock over the great war he had drdered, were widely circulated with denials following.
 On Aug. 27, when the Germans were moving into France, Francis Joseph conveyed his greetings to Emperor William in these words:
 Victory after victory. God is with you. He will be with us also. I most sincerely congratulate you, dear friend, also the young hero, your dear son, the crown prince, and the Prince Rup- precht, as well as the incomparably brave German army. Words fail to express what moves me and with me, my army, Tn these days of worlds his toyr.'
 Clouded in still deeper mystery, if possible, was the disappeara that same year of Francis Joseph's favorite nephew, the Arehduke Johann Salva- tor Heir to the throne at the death of Rudolf he renounced all of his inn perial dignities and fled the country as John Orth, captain of the merchant ship, never to be heard of again. The next of kin, the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, who became heir presump- tive, added further burden to lis uncle's heart by nnorganatic marriage
  whom he has had three children, no one of which can succeed to the throne.
 But it is doubtful if any or all of these reverses weighed more heavily upon the emperor's heart than the al- most recent tragedy at Geneva, when the Empress Elizabeth, who had been called the most beautiful woman in Europe, was stabbed to death by mad Italian anarchist in 1898. True, she long had been estrangcd from the em- peror, but he had never ceased to re- spect and adore her. When a courier brought him the news of the crime he exclaimed: Alas, nothing can be spared me, nothing"
 After each blow he renewed his de- votion to tho state. his only solace be- ing in harder work. He 1abored pro- digiously. He was beloved for his kindliness. his modcsty and rectitude, and his hign moral courage made it possible for him to hold in leash the Czechs, the Poles, the Serbs, the Ruthenians and the BuIgars, who made up the mosaic of nationalities in his dual empire.
 Gossip dealt plentifIlly with his pri- vate life, filled with romance and mis- fortune. It is related that his mother intended him to r,arry Princess Hele- na. eldest daughter Of Duke Max of Bavaria. With passive indifference the young emperor agreed to his mothers wishes and set out to pay. court to his intended bride. He got no further than the park surrounding the dukes castle,