The New York herald., 1921-09-04
MON7PENSIER SEEKS
ALBANIAN THRONE
BACKED BY WIFE
Duke Recently Married
Heiress and May Try to
Become King.
FIRST ATTEMPT BLOCKED
Austria Refused to Recognize
Him, but Now Riches
May Prevail.
FIRST ATTEMPT BLOCKED

Special Gable to TIM NEW YoRK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921, bv THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Sept. 3.
The marriage Of the Duke Of Mont
pensier, brother Of the Pretender, the
Duke OF Orleans. with a wealthy but
not royal Spanish heiress recently,
coming at time when Albania is
again struggling for greater recogni-
ton than was accorded her under the
treaties growing out of the world war,
is arousing considerable comment here.
1t is even considered likely that the
Duke, who is now backed by his wife's
millions may again endeavor to have
himself crowned King Of Albania, this
time with chance Of success and
with the permission Of his brother. the
Duke Of Orleans.
Apart from his social conquests the
Duke of Montpensier has for the last
ten years confined his activities to a
half secret direction Of q chocolate
shop In the Fassy Quarter which is
much frequented by women returning
from mass on Sunday morning. This
shop brought in sufficient revenue to
enable the Duke to keep up his Paris
home. However, 1t Is now reported
that his wife, with true Spanish fervor,
has planted her foot firmly against
him again engaging In anything so
plebeian as commerce, even If ten
francs is gotten for a cup of chocolate.
1t must be remembered that the
Duke. II his brother died and the French
people should revert to a monarchlcal
form of government. would have the
oldest claim to the French throne.
However. he would not be despotic
monarch, as he is known to have more
democratic ideas than have many presi-
dents. In fact. when members of cer-
tain Partisan group of mobiles recently
considered. with more than usual serf-
BUSINESS, whom they would select as min
isters should a king again be placed
on the throne, the Duke of Montpen-
sler was reported TO have hesitated
whether he would take Aristide BRAND.
Jean Louis Barthou or the exiled To-
seph CailIaux as Premier but finally
decided on NJ. BRAND. Not single
titled member OF the Jockey Club was
mentioned for place In the Cabinet.
/, All Europe remen'DerS now, Delore
the war. the Duke OF Montpensicr
bought the claims TO the Albanian
throne from the former pretender,
Ghika After spending 100000 francs
in preparations for his coronation the
Duke arrived in valona. where 200 ma
tives and a few foreigners proclaimed
him king. Playing on the Albanian ad-
miration of hunting prowess. he de-
clared:
IT have toured the world many times.
killing rons, tigers and hippopotami. !
will kill your enemies just as willingly"
The coronation programme was upset,
however, by the energy of the Ministers
of Emperor Francis Joseph, who refused
to recognize the Duke OF Montpensier.
These Ministers gave publicity to sew
eral gossipy stories which were not In
keeping with ducal circumspection.
But now that Austria Is not worth
considering in connection with European
affairs the Duke of Montpensier's new
riches may fnd favor with the Albanians,
who are known to be anxious to find
some one who Is willing to take up their
cause in the councils of the great Powers.