THE "UNCROWNED EMPRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1916, Page 5

THE "UNCROWNED EMPRESS.

FRANZ JOSEF'S LBG-AOS / \ WOMAN'S EXTRAORDINARY _ m CAREER, "~ I Received Nov. 30, B.SO p.ip.Berne, Nov. 20. Emperor Franz Josef's will bequeathed a million kroner to the actress, Madame Katherine Schraat, who waa closely connecked with the Emperor for many, years, being known a3 the "uncrowned Empress."

(Katharine Schraat was an actress, born of humble 'paaents, who exercised an enormous influence over the lato Emperor, whom she first met 28 year* ago. Their first meeting waß rather dramatic. Her brother had got into trouble for an indiscretion, and she resolved to petition the Emperor ior his release. The Emperor was so struck with her beauty that he at once granted! the petition, and invited her to come again. Through the Emperor's influence she became a member of the Imperial Hofburg Theatre Company—the principal theatre on the Continent, and subsidised by the Privy Purse. Such an engagement had been the dream of hep life. Kato rose in the esteem of th« Emperor, who presented her with a splendid villa at Hielzig, adjoining, the private gardens of the Royal 'Palace at Bchornburg, with which it wag connected by a private passage. He lavished jewellery and other presents upon her. Madame Schraat had a husband, a spendthrift, ne'er-do-well, who was pensioned off by the Emperor. The wife, the Empress Elizabeth, had Bowl left him, but on the suicide of their. sail, the Crown Prince Rudolf, die returned and comforted him. When biff mourning for his deceased son 'pressed loss heavily upon him, he turned again to Kate, who thereafter abandoned her stage life and devoted herself entirely! to the Emperor. The Empress was murdered, and the Emperor subsequently surprised his Ministers and his family by the news that he intended marrying Madame Schraat. In vain the .Ministers pointed out how imprudent such a step would be, and how lowering to the prestige of the Empire. His two daughters, the Archduchess Valerie of Austria and Princess Zisela of Bavaria, entreated! him not to commit this crime against) his country, but Franz Josef was not, moved. The Archduchess Valerie then took a bold step. She went to Katherine, and bogged of her to save the Emperor from himself. The interview ended in tears on both sides. Madame Schraat next day informed her ancienty lover that she would never marry him,, but that she would remain his true and; faithful friend to the end. 'Kate waa thereafter not only Frank Josef's, but also his (laughters' friend, and was very popular with the people. She ruled, the Emperor, as well as the people. She; wiu a groat spender, getting through millions of the Emperor's money, andi the million kroner legacy " (aboutj £33.000 of our money) referred to bythe cable will not keep her long, if she! continues her extravagant style of' living Her jewellery, however, is «alue<> in millions sterling.)