The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-22

72 years. He actually occupied the throne for little more than half ven- tury. A closer rival. and the only one of modern times. was Queen Victoria who reigned for GA years.
 The aged monarch, although he had suffered serious rnroads 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 seri- ous illness from a bronchial affection, and frequently rumors of his death, which were proven unfounded, when official announcements were made from Vienna. Some of the reports as- serted that his mind had become af- fected through worry over the great war, but the truth of these rumors was not admitted.
 In November, 1915. on the occasion of a visit of Empesor William of Ger" many to Vienna, it was rumored that Francis Joseph was about to make a possible move for a separate peace, but owing to the strict censorship in Austria there was no confirmation of such a report.
 The ultimatum of July 23, 1914. which Francis Joseph sent to King Peter of Serbia, denouncfng the anti Austrian propaganda in that country and demanding prompt punishment of the assassins of Archduke Ferdi- hand, was supposedly dictated by Francis Joseph himself and it was this document that directly precipi- tated the war now ravaging Europe. Five days later, after Serbia had com- piled with all the demands with the exception of agreeing to allow Aus trian authorities to enter Serbia to stamp out the alleged anti-Austrian conspiracies, Francis Joseph declared war.
 Tn his manifesto of that date, July 2e, he said:
 "The intrigues of a malevolent op- ponent compel me in defense of the honor of my monarchy and for the protection of its dignity and the se- curity of it's possessions to grasp the sword after long years of peace.
 '"The hope that Serbia would keep its word has not been fulfilled; the flame of its hatred for myself and my house has always hlazed higher.
 'Tn this solemn hour 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," <-
 Aside from the great war Francis Joseph's reign was one of the most eventfui in history. From, his impe- rial vantage point he saw the French nnonaraoy so down, the Second Etn- pire rise and crumble, the Commune flare briefly, and tho Republic of to- day rise on its ashes; he saw the black pi1iions of the Prussian eagle stamped on the flag of the new German En- pire-later to tower threateningly over Austria 1ts4lf; he saw the papacy s11orn of it's territorial denaesne, while about blickering family of petty principalities was wielded into united Italy: 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, and later defeat the sprawling Colos- sus of two continents; he saw the most obsolete espotisms-Ruesia, Turkey, and PersiaTconcede representation to the people; he saw at distance the United States cement it's federation with the blood of a great internectne war, and he saw his own brother prove that monarchy could not take new root on American soil.
 Tn his own country he faced internal dissensions and external aggressions from the moment he came to the throne. By the war of 1859 with Franc, and Sardinia, he was forced to cede Lombardy to Italy; by force of arms and treaty he lost the Duchy of iolstein to Prussia and Venice to Italy; and by the revolt of Kossuth, f1n nofF A G. capped having his dual empire cut in two.
 But in human interest his personal sorrows overshadowed all. One after another they came upon him. Tn 1853 the list of tragic incidents began with an attempt upon his own life. In 1887 his brother, the Archduke Maximilian, after three years experiment as Elm peror of Mexico was captured by the army of the patriots and condemned to death by court martial whose sen tenc, as executed notwithstanding intercession in his behalf by the gov- ernments of the United States. Eng land and Prussia.
 There followed the burning to death of niece in Vienna; a. sister met sim liar fate in Paris; and cousin drowned himself in Stahrenberg Lake. Yet these were but minor tragedies in comparison with that which befell 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.
 Graves hold the secret of that fate full night at hunting lodge in Meyer ling. There have been a. dozen yer sions of. what occurred. One true story relates that the Crown Prince was struck dead by Baltazzi, a Hun garian chevalier who loved the Bar oness Marie Vetsera and who was frenzied by finding the girl and Prince Rudolf together in the castle of Mey- erfing after the Crown Prince had given his pledge not to see the girl again. Another that the Crown Prince killed the uncle of the young Bar oness when he came to rescue her and that both of the young lovers after ward committed suicide. The truth is not known.
 Clouded in still deeper mystery, if possible, was the disappearanee that same year of Francis Joseph's favorite nephew, the Archduke Johann Salva- tor. Heir to the throne at the death of Rudolf, he renounced all his impe- rial dignities and fled the country as John Orth, captain of merchant ship, never to be heard of again. The next of kin, the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, who became heir presump tive. added a further burden to his un- cle's heart by naorganatio marriage to