The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-31
Heir to Austrian Throne
Struck With Bottle Bid
! ding Baroness Farewell.
WAS SENSATION OF 1889
Former Archduke Sheds Light
on Tragedy of the Haps-
burgs at Mierling.
BY RAYMOND SWING.

Special Cable to TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1920, bv THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Berlin, Oct. 80.
New light on 1.-THE mystery Of Mier-
ling, which shrouds the death on jan
vary 80, 1889. of Crown Prince Ru-
dolph, only son Of the Emperor Francis
5 Joseph of Austria Hungary, has just
been she'd Perhaps it woul not be
times, save the great events which
followed the assassination Of the Arch
duke Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June
20, 1914, stirred Europe as did the
death Of the Austro-H Hungarian Grown
Prince. q death which was officially
attributed to suicide.
But now the assertion is made by
man who should be In a position to
: know the truth that Crown Prince Ru-
dolph did not commit suicide, but was
murdered, his death being due to a
blow which he received on his head
when one Of his companions struck
him with a champagne bottle the night
the Crown Prince was taking his fare
well of his sweetheart, the Baroness
yetsera.
"Tragedy of the Hapsburgs."
That statement has Just been made
here by the Crown Princes cousin, the
one-time Archduke Leopold Ferdinand
Of Austria. who Is publishing series
of articles on 1.-THE Tragedy of the
Hapsburgs." in which he deals briefly
with the sensational mystery Of Mier-
= ling
Leopold broke with HIS family in 1902,
since which time he has been living as
a commoner under the name Of Leopold
woelfling This is the first time he has
attempted to publicly explain why he
revolted or to reveal the secrets OF the
court from which he fled
The death of Crown Prince Rudolph
has for long time been the subject or
conjecture and controversy. However,
this is not the first time 1t has been
asserted that he was killed by a blow
on the head with wine bottle, but
proof has always been wanting. All
the witnesses are dead. and Herr
woelfling believes they were sworn 70
a pact Of secrecy, which was never
violated.
at was n naval cadet at the time he
writes, and received the newssof the
Crown Princes death when I was at
Suez. I have my father tho Grand
Duke OF Tuscany, to thank for my
knowledge Of the events. He was in
Vienna the morning after Rudolph's
death and saw the corpse shortly after
Il was brought to the Hofburg from
Mierling and before the cause OF his
death had been concealed by the en-
balmers. This Is important. because the
official version that Rudolph had COM
mitted suicide had not then been forrnu-
lated. All the church bells In Vienna
had that morning tolled the call TO
prayers for the dead. but they suddenly
became still. Reports that he had COM
united suicide had been spread ana the
church authorities were awaiting in
structions.
sDid Not ME by His own Hand"
"But the bells might have tolled on,
for Crown Prince Rudolph did not die
BY his own hand.
'I knew my cousin quite we'll. He
was OF medium stature and slender. with
small eyes, which were accustomed to
blink and TO shut In moments OF con-
centration OF thought. He was spirited.
open hearted and gay and understood
how to enjoy life. even though he did
st sometimes reclxlessly. but he was
warmly devoted to art, and particularly
devoted TO natural science. Sometimes
he has been represented as conscience
harder than other young bloods In
Vienna society.
r'His misfortune was his marriage
with Princess Stephanie of Belgium, sec
ond daughter of Leopold III. Reasons
of state had here again united two indi-
viduais who should never have met. The
pair soon became miserable. Princess
6tephanie would pursue her husband
with real. or pretended Jealousy. and
often there were ungracious scenes. The
conflict was heightened by want of a
male heir. for the birth of ono might
have quleted the ambitions of the Prin-
cess.
From this hateful marriage Rudolph
fled 10 one who loved him. he felt, for
himself alone. am certain of this. that
Baroness Maria Vctsera had made a
most profound impression on him and
that he was dominated by sincere pas
sion for that most beautiful girl. IL Is
idle to speculate whether Rudolph really
Intended to marry his beloved. At the
court the affair surely was sensed as a
danger. and nothing was left undone to
bring the Crown Prince back to the
right way His carefully guarded love
was ANONYMOUSLY exposed and merci-
lessiy besmlrched.
He faced terrific choice. To leave
her was unthlnkablc: TO tecp her was
impossible. Then he gave his father his
very day To be sure. he promised with
with the plan in mind 10 drain the for
hidden cup one last time ! fore giving
her UP.
Farewell Party Arranged.
Several guests were invited TO the
hunting lodge at MierlDg for that night
Hunting comrades and sportsmen.
among them Hektor Baltazzi. a well
known racing man, and his brother.
Aristide. both OF whom were Checks and
m some way related TO Baroness Vet
bera- Indeed, Hektor was her betrothed
at least. that was the general assump-
lion. The men were In a small room,
nlonc, while the Baroness was in the
castle. The men, according to the evil.
ancient practice. we're drinking heavily.
Rudolph was not a good drinker, and
few glasses Of wine took his measure
and made him quarreisorne. Too. the Bit
terness that ruled the Crown Princes
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