AUSTRIAN RULERS' LAST MOMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2937, 24 November 1916, Page 5

AUSTRIAN RULERS' LAST MOMENTS

EMPEROR DIED IN HARNESS

A RAPID COLLAPSE

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, November 22. A wireless message from Berlin states that the Emperor of Austria passed away quietly at fl o'clock at night at Schoenbrunn. The Emperor Francis Joseph continued his usual activities on Tuesday. Aggravated symptoms appeared at 8 o'clock at night. Tho Archduchess Valerie was constantly at. tho bedside, with two doctors._ Tho Imperial family, the Oouit dignitaries, anil the Premier were summoned. Tho Archduchess Valerie read prayers. The dying patient made a gesture to the doctor, pointed to his throat, and died a second later. The Kaiser was informed byftelephoue direct between the palace aud .his headquarters. \ The "Lokal Auzeiger" states that the death of tho Emperor has created a great gap, especially when great events are deciding Austria's future. It adds': "Our will to victory is as strong as over." ENGLISH PRESS OUTSPOKEN BUT NOT UNGENEROUS Australinn-Ncw Zealand Cable Association. (Kcc. November 23, 11.10 p.m.) London, November 22. The newspapers publish long, outspoken, but not ungenerous obituaries of the Eraporor Francis Joseph, pointing out Ids belief that ho ruled by Divine right, while under circumstances he became tho catspaw of Germany, i It is expected that tho accession of the Archduke Charles will greatly diminish the influence of Germany at the Austrian Court. Tho new Empress was born in Italy, and has strong French sympathies, but that is unlikely to influenco the war. Tho Archduke has been described as feather-headed, with no more capacity for public affairs than a rabbit. .Ho commanded the Austrians' in Galicia, Serbia, the Trentino, and finally in Transylvania, but everywhere was a dismal failure. His, wife, the Princess Zita, is a clever woman, 1 an accomplished linguist, of finished education, and spent her holidays at a convent at'the Isle of Wight, where her sister is a mm. The Archduke is a fine horseman and motorist, and popular in the army. He represented the Emperor Francis Joseph at tho coronation of King George. FOREIGN COMMENT BITTER FEELING .IN ITALY. (United Service.) (Rec. November 23, 7.20 p.m.) Rome, November 22'. Tho Into Emperor Francis Joseph was regarded in Italy as the incarnation of Austro-Italian enmity. It is doubtful if Austria's enthusiasm for the war will survive his death. Tho "Messagero" 6nya:—His deliveranco was an undeserved reward. A man who had governed for sixty years in blood and by the gallows snould have lived to see tho decomposition of Austria's monstrous feudal organism. • May God show kindness to him on his last journey. Individuals and peoples who have suffered from Austria's violent rapacity will not forgive him. INDIFFERENCE IN GERMANY. Amsterdam, November 22. The death of tho Emperor Francis Joseph received indifferently in Berlin, where 'he was unpopular. Much is expected of his successor, who'is a tool m the hands of the Germans. GERMAN-NORWEGIAN WAR CLOUD SWEDISH NEWSPAPER PREDICTS A CRISIS. (Renter's Telegram.) Stockholm, November 22. The "Dagblad" expresses the opinion that everything points to a crisis between Germany and Norway. It states that Sweden, remembering the tragedy of 1863, certainly will not follow Norway's policy of adventure.