MISS ELKINS'S DUKE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 916, 8 September 1910, Page 7

MISS ELKINS'S DUKE.

AMERICA'S GREAT CAPTURE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) : V .. . Rome, September 6, Tho "Daily ;Mail" Paris correspondent affirms "that tho obstacles in the way of marriage of the Duke of the Abruzzi to Miss'Katharine.Elkins have been removed, ami that wedding will take place in February next. The 'correspondent adds that . the Italian Royal chaplain will prepare Miss Elkins for entry into Catholic Church. The Duke of tho Abruzzi is a cousin of the King of Italy, and is 37 years of age, and a bachelor. -Keports of his engagement to Miss Elkins have been, current for some years past, and . have been denied from time to time by tho bride's parents, Senator and: Mrs. . Elkins, , -, of Elkins, Virginia, TJ.S.A.. Commenting on the Abruzzi affair, the "Guardian", said some time ago:—"lf the marriage of the Duke of the Abrimi to Miss . EU:ins, of America, really takes it would appear that the King of Italy has given ins consent—the event will; be , one of. singular interest. Since the eighteenth : century the crystallisation of. the' Eoyal paste has mado ureal progress,, and relgumg. families: have tended, more and more /to become close corporations: ;But if the Amorican girl is to bo allowed to enter into competition ■, with Princesses, born;in the. purple'the. accepted . ideas on this' subject will, "bo completely' overturned.' The, prospect of the granddaughter of .a miner who 'struck it rich' or the daughter of a. Wall Street manipulator giving possible heirs to an ancient European throne' is dazzling; and a little, uncanny; but it is conceivable that - something of the kind might not.be altogether ,bad. for the ancient thrones.. Kingship is not exempt from:the necessity for new blood.and new ideas, and it would be b,. calamity if it became"finally impossible for monai'chs' to come: from the people." V■'.■..■ .-.; ",'.v .-'■-. ■•" It is worth while-mentioning that ;the' Duke of the Abrazzi. is.only, seventh . in.order of succession to the Italian ..throne,' so- that his marriage does not .seein.to •threaten Italy. with' a. dynasty of American origin. : : >■ .. : v. ■ . ■;■ ::