The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-02-28

new book, 1phnntom Crown
The Story of Macmillan and Caflota of Mexico
written by Bertha Harding and published re-
Gently BY the Bobbs Merrill company.
dreamy Strauss waltz, played in the ro-
mantle city on the Danube. Is appropriate
theme song for the main character In the drama
that Is about to begin. Macmillan was ike
that--a dreamer an ideast, man Of extraordl-
nary purity and simplicity but lacking utterly
the clear vision and the ability to deal with
practical matters. II he had been otherwise
some North American history-even part OF
the history OF the United States-might have
been different.
"Phanton Crown" Is all appropriate title, too.
for the story of Macmillan and Carlota, who
made "the last grand. bewlldered gesture Of
royalty ON the American continent" and who
attempted visionary conquest which ended
tragcally for them both" For the theme song
given to the Austrian archduke In the opening
chapter OF the Harding hook changed.
The notes OF Strauss waltz were drowned
out by the cracking of the flames OF rebellion
and that sinister sound rose to crescendn 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 Carota wore hers for more than
fifty. Macmillan, facing DEATH declared II die
In just cause. forgive all, and pray that
all may forgive me. May my blood flow for
the good Of this land. Long live Mexicof' In
his last few moments on earth, he heard
faithful subject salute him with @Hail Emperor
| FAREWELL" Carlota lived to become the mad
empress" to finger on In the twilight Of In
sanity, to cherish deuslon that she was still
d sovereign and 10 talk with the Imaginary
members OF an imaginary court.
| Who, then, can say which the greater
/ Observation-Disclosures or Carlota's?
Archduke Maximilian the youngest brother
OF Emperor Franz Joseph Of Austria was born
ut Schonhrunn on July O. 1877. In 1857 the tall,
/ fairhaired. hue-eyed young archduke was mar
ried to seventeen-year-old Princess Charlotte
Marie Ameie Augustine victolre Clementine
I4eopoldlne daughter OF King Leopold Of Bel
| gium When Franz Joseph made the archduke
viceroy OF the Austrian-ruled provinces OF
Venice and Lomhardy in Italy his bride changed
her name to Carlotta, the Italian for Charlotte.
After two years OF rule In the Italian prov
inces. Macmillan glad enough to retire to
the ease OF private life In the splendid Chateau
hliramar at Trieste Meanwhile affairs across
the Atlantic which were to affect the destiny OF
the Austrian archduke were rapidly taking
shape Mexico had thrown off the yoke OF Spain
but was troubled by the internal strife WHICH
was to characterize that turbulent land for the
| next century. because Of these unsettled cond-
lions European loans became endangered that
In October. 1861. France. England and Spain
signed Joint agreement to intervene In Mexico
In order to 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 no-
litcal schemng. Besides desiring to collect
the French debts In Mexico he dreaming OF "A
French empire In Amerlcn to save Catholicism, as
well as the Latin races, from being engnlfed by
the Anglo Saxon culture True, the Monroe Doc
Urine had been warning to the European ma
lions TO keep hands of" In the New World. but
ut this time the United States was In the throes