The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-19
Joachim, Youngest Son of Ex-
Kaiser, Shoots Himself.
Desertion by Wife and Heavy
Drinking the Cause.
DOCTORS CONCEALED STORY
Told Even High OfficiaIs 1t
Was "AutO Case"
Stayed in Berlin When Family
Fled-Was Jailed.

Berlin, July 1s-Prince Joachim.
sixth and youngest OF the ex-kaiser's
sons, committed suicide by shooting
himself in the breast as he lay in bed
at the Vile Liegnitz in San Souci
park Saturday. Brooding over his
wi1es desertion and effects of
drunken debauch. caused the act, ac-
cord1ng to belief here today. Joachim
died at l o'clock Sunday morning.
Prince Eitel Friedrich, the only one
of the kaiser's sons now in Berlin, is
sued a formal statement declaring
Joachim's suicide was the result OF
psychic disturbances caused by the
pressure of events and personal diff
culties''
Say Love Tragedy"
Friends of the dead prince declared
the suicide to be a love tragedy. They
omitted that he had returned to his
villa from Berlin Friday night, stage
gering into seeondN class waiting
room at the Potsdam railway station
where he called loudly for beer. He
! introduced himself to the waiter as
Prince Joachim of Prussia and said
/ he had no railway tickle and no
money. He was allowed TO leave the
| restaurant by the entrance instead of
the tdrnstile at the exit where he
would have had to pay for his meal
and beer. There was a persistent and
apparently well founded rumor that
he had contracted heavy gambling
debts.
: Joachim will be buried Tuesday
| from the Friedrichskirche at Potsdam.
Won steuben Wept.
SEitel Friedrich refused to comment
/ on his brothers death, but his aide,
/ Colonel Won Steuben, declared moth
/ ing bat the bare announcement of
| Joa ciaim's death could be made as the
rest was family secret. Colonel Won
steuben wept as he discussed the sui
eide.
A servant at the Villa Liegnitz.
where the priGce had been staying.
said: 1T was Aruly a love tragedy"
Joachim died in the arms of hos
pital doctors At first every effort was
| made to cover up the circumstances of
his suicide. The doctor in charge told
even high officials who inquired that
| it was IAN automobile case"
The prince was born December II,
1890, in the imperial palace at Berlin,
and was educated at the princes
school at Plon. He was an officer of
froptier guardsmen on the French
border.
Wounded During War.
Shortly after the outbreak of hos
tilities, it was reported hat he had
been wounded. His mother person
ally nursed him back to health and
pinned the iron cross on his breast
When revolt followed defeat of the
| German armies in November. 1918, il
was reported Joachim might succeed
his father as emperor.
/ Most members of the imperial fam
lily fled Berlin. but Joachim stayed
During the revolution in February
1919. Jed by Won Kapp, Joachim was
thrown into Jail in connection with
certain intrigues' and held until
March Is.
Joachim vas married March II
1915. to PrIT1 cess Marie Augustine, OF
Anhalt daughter of Prince Edward
of Aphalt. one of the chief prinei-
palities. The princess WAS then only
II years old and the prince IS. The
first child, a son was born, Decembe1
t15. 1915. The prince and princess
were divorced early this year.
1 Joachim recently brought a libe
suit against a book publisher whc
Married Life of a Prince" which
Joachim declared exposed his private
life.
Mother Is Not Told.
Doom, Holland, July 19-The an
nouncemeRt of Prince Joachim's deatf
came to Doom castle like a thunder
bolt.
The former German empress. whC
during the last week has been agar
seriously troubled by her heart all
ment, is believed not to have been in
j formed of the tragedy. The ex-em
peror, however, has been told OF it anC
/ has been greatly affected by the un
timely end of his favorite son.
Prince Joachim saw his parents
quite recently. 1t having been only tn
middle of June when he paid them
visit at Doom castle here.