The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-11-24

iris Of the Greeks) whose reign IS
reputed to have covered 81 years.
But in recorded history there GER
tainly has been no reign equal IN
period of time of that of the Haps-
burg which closed today. Luis XIV
of France was nominally king for
72 years. He actually occupied the
throne for little more than half
century. A closer rival. and the only
one of modern times, was Queen Vic
toria who reigned for 81 years.
Francis Joseph's reign was as event
full as it was long. From his impe-
rial vantage point he saw the French
!! monarchy go down, the second en-
pire rise and crumble, the commune
fare briefly, and the republic of to-
day rise on it's ashes; he saw the
black pinions of the Prussian eagle
stamped on the flag of the new Ger
man empire-later to tower threaten
inglv over austria itself; he saw Spain
once the greatest Of colonial powers,
lose the last of her dependencies in
two oceans: he saw Japan, opened to
Western civilization, later defeat the
sprawling colossus of two continents
he saw the most absolute depotisms-'
Russia, Turkey and Persia-concede
representation to the people; he saw
at a distance the United States cement
its federation with the blood OF a
great internal war, and he saw his
own brother prove that monarchy
could not take new root on American
soil.
Always in Turmoil.
In his own country he faced in
ternal dissensions and exterior ag-
gressions from the moment he came
to the throne. BY the war of 1853
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 escaped having his dual en-
pire cut in two.
But in human interest his personal
sorrows overshadowed all. One after
another they came upon him. In
1885 the list of tragic incidents began
with an attempt upon his own life.
In 1867 his brother, the Archduke
Maximilian, after three years expert
ment as emperor of Mexico, was cap
tured by the army of the patriots
and condemned to death by a court
martial whose sentence was executed
Notwithstanding intercession in his be-
half by the governments of the United
States, England and Prussia.
There followed the burning to death
of niece in Vienna; sister met
similar fate in Paris, and a cousin
drowned himself in Stathrenberg lake,
yet these were but minor tragedies IN
comparison with that which befel
the ancient house of the Hapsburgs
in 1889 when Rudolf, the imperial
prince upon whom the Austrians PIN
ned their hopes, met death in mys-
terry which to this day is not cleared
Graves hold the secret of that fate
full night at hunting lodge IN Meyer
ling. There have been dozen YER
sions of what occurred. One true
story relates that the crown prince
was struck dead by Baltazzi, Hun
garian chevalier, who loved the Bar
oness Marie Netsera and who was
frenzied by finding the girl and Prince
Rudolf together in the castle OF Mey- !
erling after the crown prince hao
given his pledge not to see the Vri
again. Another that the crown prince
killed the uncle of the young baroness
when he came to rescue her and taat
both of the young lovers afterWard
committed suicide. The truth is not
known. :,
Clouded in still deeper mystery, II
possible, was the disappearance tnat
same year of Francis Joseph's favorlte
nephew, the Archduke Johann SALIVA
tor. Heir to the throne at the death
of Rudolf, he renounced ali OF MS
imperial dignities and fled the couu-
trv as John Irth, captain of the mer-
chant ship, never to be heard OF again.
The next of kin, the Archduke Fran
cis Ferdinand, who became heir pre-
sumptive, added further burden to
his uncle's heart by morganatic mar
riage to Sophie, the countess OF Cho-
tex, by whom he has had three chill
dren. no one of which can succeed
to the throne.
But it is doubtful if any or all
Of these reverses weighed more heavi-
" upon the emperor's heart than the
almost recent tragedy at Geneva
when the Empress Elizabeth, who had
been called the most beautiful woman
IN Europe, was stabbed to death oy
2 mad Italian anarchist, in 1898. True
she had long been estranged from tine
emperor, but he had never ceased TO
respect and adore her. When
courier brought him the news OF the
crime he exclaimed, "Alas, nothing
car he spared me, nothing"
After each blow he renewed MS
-