The New York herald., 1921-02-08
BURKE ROCHE TO
ACCEPT PEERAGE
Maurice, Elder Of Twins. De-
cides to Assume Title Of
Fourth Baron FermOy.
ESTATES ARE ENTAILED
New Yorker Will Become Brit
ish Subject-ActiOn Forced
in Spite of Himself.

Edmund Maurice Burke Roche. who.
through the sudden death of his father,
the third Baron Fermoy, in Wales last
September, inherited the entailed es-
tates, honors and title of his father,
has decided to become a British sub
ject prove his claim to the title and, as
the fourth Baron Fermoy. take his
place among the Irish peers in the
peerage of Great Britain.
Edmund Maurice Burke Roche is the
elder of the twin sons of the late
Baron and Mrs. Fanny Work Burke
Roche of this city. The younger Of
the twins is Francis Burke Roche. At
the time of the death of his father in
yarmouth, on September l. Edmund.
better known as Maurice Burke Roche,
was in doubt as to whether he would
prove his claim to the title and re-
nounce his American citizenship. He
was in New York then and has re-
manned here since. He said that he
had given much serious thought to the
situation forced upon him by becoming
peer in spite of himself.
Last night Mr.. Burke Roche said
II have decided to prove my claim
and accept the title. 1t has taken me
long time to come to this decision. but
I have decided to do it, ] had hoped
that | could persuade my younger
brother to assume the title. but | found
that could not possibly be done. Even
ic remained an American citizen still
would be the Baron Fermoy in the peer
are Of Great Britain"
Mr.. Burke Roche has not made UP his
mind when he win take the legal steps
necessary to proving his claim to the
title. His sister, Mrs. Arthur Scott Bur-
den and his brother. Francis Burke
Roche, are in England and will prob
ably remain abroad for the International
polo games in birmingham in June.
Maurice Burke Roche may go abroad
for the polo games and then take the
first step that will make MIN eventually
an Irish peer. with possible seat in
the House Of Lords
If AIr. Burke Roche remained an
in the peerage of Great Britain as the
fourth Baron Fermoy, and could take
possession of about 10000 acres Of en-
tailed property in Ireland and Wales.
Upon exchanging his citizenship of the
United States for that Of Great Britain
he will be allowed to cast his vote with
other peers of Ireland for the twenty
eight peers among their number chosen
TO represent their order in the House Of
Lords. and he could himself become a
candidate for election for the House Of
Lords.
The only precedent upon which Mr.
Burke Roche can base his contemplated
action in becoming a naturalzed peer
OF Great Britain was esta ablishcd few
years ago by Baron Fairfax OF Came
ron in the peerage Of Scotland. who as
plain Albert Fairfax of New. York and
Virginia, inherited the barony. five
generations of Fairfax barons had pre-
ceded him as Americans who never
proved their claims 10 the title but
remained American citizens. Albert
Fairfax became British subject,
proved his claim to the family title
and was elected as one of the sixteen
Scotch peers TO represent their order
in the House Of Lords.
The chief seat of the Barony Of Fer
moy is I'm County Cork. Ireland, which
is in the centre OF a large park. There
also are extensive landed holdinss IN
Wales.
The late father OF the fourth Baron
Fermoy better known in New York as
the Hon. James Boothby Burke Roche.
married Miss Frances Work daughter
Of the late Frank Work. in this city in
1880. They we're divorced in 1895. and
Mrs. Burke Roche and her three chill
dren have lived since in this country
The twin sons are thirty-hve years old.
Neither has married Upon the death OF
the second Baron Fermoy last autumn
his brother. the Hon. James Boothby
Burke Roche, became tho third baron
and through his death In Lonlon, follow
ing shortly that of his brother, the title
was transmitted TO the older or the cele-
brated twin sons.
The second and third barons became
involved I'm financial difficulties. and
much Of the ancient furnishings In the
family seat In Cork was sold. The
new baron and his brother. Francis. In
herited substantial fortunes from their
grandfather and rendered their father
financial assistance for some time pre-
yious to his death. although they rarely
i'm