The Cordova daily times., 1916-11-22

The death of Francis Joseph is re markable climax to the long list ot tragedies in the Hapsburg family - a list unparalleled in any other reign ing house in Europe. He dies in the midst of the worlds greatest 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 a state visit to Bos, mia on June 28, 1914.
 Francis Joseph was S6 years old at the time of his death He was born August 18 1880. He was only nine teen years of age when he ascended the throne of Austria, upon the abdi- cation of his uncle. Ferdinand l, De cember 2, 1848, making his active reign extend over a period of 68 years. all but the first twenty of which he : 0 It is doubtful that if in all history there has been an active, authenti- cated reign that was longer. Tradi- ti0n says a PharOah ruled for 99 years, and there is the more credible instance of Rameses II, SeOstris of the Greeks, whose reign is reputed to have covered G7 years. But in re corded history there certainly has been no reign of equal duration to that of Francis Joseph. Louis XIV, of France, wa nOminally king for 72 years. He actually occupied the throne for little more than half a century. A closer rival, and the only one of modern times, was Queen Vic toria, who Teigned GA years.
 The aged monarch, although 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 serious ill ness from a bronchial affection, and frequently rumOrs of his death, which were proven unfounded, when official announcements were made from VI enna Some of the reports asserted that his mind had become affected through worry over the great war but the truth of these TumOrs was not admitted.
 In November, 1915, on the occasion of a visit of Emperor William of Ger many to Vienna it was rumor cd that Francis Joseph was about to make u possible move for separate peace, but owing to the strict censorship in Aus tria there was no confirmation of such a report.
 The ultimatum of July B. 1914. which Francis Joseph sent to King Pe- ter of Serbia, denauOcing the anti Austrian propaganda in that country and demanding prompt punishment of the assassins of Archduke Ferdinand. was supposedly dictated by Francis Joseph himself and it was this docu- ment that directly precipitated the war now ravaging Europe. Five days later. after Serbia had complied with all the demands with the exception of agreeing to allow Austrian authori- ties to enter Serbia to stamp out the alleged anti-Austrian conspiraCies, Francis Joseph declared war.
 Tn his manifesto of that date, July 2s, he said:
 "The intrigues of a malevOlent op. nonent compel me in defense of the honor of my monarchy and for the nrotectfon of it's dignity and the Sc curity of its possessions to graps the sword after long years of peace.
 "The hope that Serbia would keep its word has not been fulfilled; the flame of it's hatred for myself and my house has always blazed higher.
 on this solemn hour am fully con, scious of the whole significance of my resolve and my responsibility before the Almighty. have examined and weighed everything. and with serene oopscience set out on the path that duty points"
 Aside from the great war Francis rosanh's reign was one of the most