The sun., 1918-08-18
ROYAL SCANDAL
IN AUSTRIA MAY
END IN DIVORCE
People Growing More Bitter
Daily Against Emperor
and Empress.
BLAMED FOR DISASTER
Inspired Denial Of Rumors
SAYS Czernin Knew Of Six
tus's Peace Letter.
BLAMED FOR DISASTER


Emperor Charles Of Austria and his
ni,.. Enptess Z.ta. What these charges
refer 10 Is becoming known by de-
graz. The Austrian censorship has so
Var preyented a full statement reaching
the wires in neutral countries. but the
nsvs 1. altering through telling Of
scandal In the imperial palace which Is
likely to lead to n divorce.
The Empress is accused OF shielding
and protecting tine Italians. Tho dis
aster on the Piave was the result Of
Mot engineered by Empress Zita. the
people believe. In Vienna the excite
inent Of the people knows no bounds.
When the Emperor appears in the
streets he Is received with cat calls and
curses. Recently a man ran after the
automobile in which the ruler was driv-
ing, calling out: "Fie upon thee,
Parma"
EMPRESS Zita IS a daughter Of the
house OF Parma, one Of the royal fam
lies formerly reigning over parts OF
Italy. Zita's brothers are accused OF
betraying Austria. There Is no end of
denials coming from OFFICIAL sources.
These denials, proclaimed even from
ministerial benches In parliament. show
the seriousness OF the situation caused
BY the reports. rumors and gossip al
fecting the imperial family. While
some Of the reports no doubt are ex-
travagant the Austrian people insist
that where there Is smoke one is bound
to find fire.
Divorce Thought Imminent.
The first Swiss newspaper which
prints anything about the scandal in the
Hofburg, aside from the official denials
which we're cabled to all parts of the
world. Is the ThurOduer ZeituNg OF July
II. II says:
According to semi-ofYicial and press
reports coming from Vienna. there are
sinister rumors and accusations regard
ing the imperial family afoat in AUS
tria and Hungary. In these rumors
scenes are mentioned which are said to
have taken place in the imperial palace.
These scenes are alleged to be the t're-
runners of a divorce that would sever
the marital relations of Charles and
Zita. The great mass of the people
hold the imperial couple responsible for
the defeat suffered on the Italian front.
Emperor Charles and his wife, Zita. are
said to have forbidden the use OF sitting
gases and fame throwers for the Often
sve in Italy, Italian prisoners Of war
are receiving preferential treatment, 1t
Is charged.
Other members of the imperial FAM
ily are not spared. They also are ac-
cused OF being implicated In dark plots
Two brothers OF Empress Zlta, Princes
sixtus and Xavier of Parma. are singled
out as most dangerous conspirators. The
fact that they were in the enemy's coun-
try during the war and the part they
played In the affair of the Emperor's
peace letter are being brought up against
them.
"The excitement 10 growing In Vi
srna, II Is reported, leading to an incl
dent In the street of the capital where
a man ran after the imperial automo-
bile. shouting: File. Parmav The En-
peror was at that time driving from his
palace at Schoenbrunn to the Hofburg
Finally the reports and rumors became
% widespread and dangerous In their
character that both Goyernments. In
Vienna and Budapest. were compelled
to publish denials and corrections in
the newspapers. Besides, the charges
were ofiicialIy denied in the Hungarian
Parliament. and DR.. Won Seydler. the
Austrian Premier. referred to the ac-
eusations In Q speech delivered at a
reception to the Austrian Deputies and
at meeting at the Vienna city hall.
At1eo 0lane0 IOf uOBDMDs
"A Semi-oficdAl announcement sent
out by the Vienna Correspondence Blu
rsau says the reports concerning the
imperial family were disseminated by
the Entente Powefs as part OF a prop
uganda offensive. for the purpose Of
creating unrest and disturbances In the
monarchy. In the Hungarian House Of
Deputies Prime Minister Wekerle made
a in xxyht In tod
The truth OF all aspersions cast upon
Emperor and Empress. He called all
these reports false, lying. impossible and
unthinkable. His remarks led to an
enthusiastic ovation pledging loyalty to
we imperial couple on the part of the
House
The most minute correction was
gwen out by DR.. Funder. editor in
chief OF the Reichspost, who addressed
great Catholic mass meeting in the
Vienna city hall. DIR. Funder attempted
10 explain away certain incidents In
connection with the Emperor's peace
letter. There 10 no doubt that he spoke
snihortatively, after consulting the
highest authorities. The most impor-
tant part of DR.. Funder's statement no
ooubt is his disclosure regarding Count
Nzernins connection with the Emperor's
neace letter, DR. Funder maintained
count Czern!n not only had known of
thls letter. but even had caused the En-
Peror to write ii. This is in conflict
with al! previous declarations. DR..
Funder said:
want to refer TO two Of the ru-
MoFs because they are repeated in pub
&c with the greatest persistence. so
much so that even some of our well
meaning people believe them. One Of
tnese rumors concerns two brothers OF
impress I.ta, Prince Sixtus and Prince
francis Xavier OF Parma, both of whom
are residing In foreign country. Three
pro'hers Of the Empress are serving In
we Austro-Hungarian army. as is
ven known, IT Is not true II any one
says That the two other Princes had
gone over TO the French side at the
"eslhniNG OF the war for the purpose
VI hsht.hs against the Central Powers.
Az matter of fact both these Princes
asked to be enrolled In the Austro-
hungarian army at the beginning of
ue war. When they were refused ad-
Mission they placed themselves at the
disposal o, the nteTnat!ora! Red Cross
N GeheNa 10 engage in charitable work.
II is not true when It Is said that