The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-01

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new book, Phantom Crown
The Story OF Macmillan and Carlota Of Mexico"
written by Bertha Harding and published re-
Gently by the Bobbs-Merriu company.
A dreamy Strauss waltz. played in the ro-
mantle city on the Danube, is an appropriate
theme song for the main character in the drama
that is about 10 begin. Macmillan like
Ihat-a dreamer an idealist man of extraordi-
nary purity and simplicity but lacking utterly
the clear vision and the ability 10 deal with
practical matters If he had been otherwise,
some North American history-even a part OF
the history of the United States-might have
been different
Phantom Crown" is an appropriate title, too
for the story OF Macmillan and Carlota, who
made ~the last grand, bewildered gesture Of
royalty on the American continent" and who
attempted a visionary conquest which ended so
ragicaIly for them both" For the theme song
given 10 the Austrian archduke in the opening
chapter of the Harding book soon changed.
The notes of a Strauss waltz were drowned
out by the cracking of the flames of rebellion
and that sinist71 sound rose TO a crescendo in
the crashing volley Of rifle shots on the Hill OF
Bells in Queretaro where he who would be en-
peror of Mexico died facing firing squad.
Macmillan wore his phantom crown" only
three years. Carlota wore hers for more than
fifty. Macmillan, facing death. declared Il die
in a just cause. l forgive all, and pray that
all may forgive me. May my blood flow for
the good Of this land Long live Mexicor In
his last few moments on earth, he heard
faithful subject salute him with Hail Emperor
FAREWELL" Carlota lived TO become the mad
empress" 10 Hnger in the twilight Of in
sanity, TO cherish a delusiOn that she was still
a sovereign and TO talk with the imaginary
members of an imaginary court
she sorrowed. Slowly her once eloquent fea-
lures grew distorted her eyes dmmed by recur-
ring cataracts. Nor would she find comfort
Her father lay dead Her brothers Stunned the
dismal castle at Bouchot where for sixty years
she kept recluse. They left her stranded
on planet Of her own"
Who, then, can say which was the greater
Observation-Disclosures or Carlota's?
Archduke Macmillan. the youngest brother
Of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, was born
at Schonbrunn on July 6, 1882 In 1857 the tall,
fair-haired. blue-eyed young archduke was mar
ried to seventeen-year-old Princess Charlotte
Marie Amelie Augustine yictoire Clementine
Leopoldine, daughter Of King Leopold of Bel
GUM When Franz Joseph made the archduke
viceroy of the Austrian-ruled provinces of
Venice and Lombardy in Italy, his bride changed
her name TO Carlotta, the Italian for Charlotte
After two years of rule in the Italian prov
inces Macmillan was glad enough 10 retire TO
the ease OF private life in the splendid Chateau
Miramar ar Trieste. Meanwhile affairs across
the Atlantic which were 10 affect the destiny Of
the Austrian archduke were rapidly taking
shape Mexico had thrown OF the yoke Of Spain
but was troubled by the internal strife which
was 10 characterize that turbulent land for the
next century Because of these unsettled condi-
lions European loans became so endangered that
in October. 1861, France. England and Spain
signed joint agreement 10 intervene in Mexico
in order 70 protect the investments of their
citizens
Other factors however, entered into this de-
cision-at least. so far as France was concerned
For France was ruled by Napoleon III, "Napo-
leon the Little" a master Of intrigue and po-
utical scheming. Besides desiring TO collect
the French debts in Mexico he dreaming Of
French empire in America TO save Catholicism. as
well as the Latin races, from being engulfed by
the Anglo-Saxon culture. True the Monroe Doc
rrine had been a warning 20 the European na-
tons TO keep hands off" in the New World, but
ar this time the United States was in the throes
of civil war and therefore in no condition 20
back I'D that doctrine. Or ar least. Napoleon
thought that this was a good time TO put its
strength 70 the test and England and Spain too
no doubt were willing enough to see it tested
ON December Il, 1861, Vera Cruz was occu-
MED by Spanish troops: soon afterwards the
French feet arrived with large force Of sol
diers and Great Britain sent ships and landed