THE EMPEROR'S FUNERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1916, Page 5

THE EMPEROR'S FUNERAL.

An impressive affair,

Austra]ian-N.Z. Cable Assetiation. Received Dec. ), Id p.m. Vienna, Dec. 1. Vast crowda, waiting all night, wore permitted at dawn to file past the Emperor's corpse. The police imprisoned leading anarchists and revolutionists, as a safeguard to the visiting moiiarehs. The Emperor'* heart lias been placed in a. silver urn, and will bo placed in the chapel of the Augustinian Church, beside those of previous Moiiarehs. The body was buried in the vaults of the Capuchin Church, beside those of the Kmprcss and Crown Prince Rudolph. Received Dec, 1, It) p.m.

London, Dec. 1. A wireless message from Berne states that Franz Josef's funeral took place on Thursday afternoon. The procession left the Chapel Royal, where the coffin lay since Monday, and traversed Vienna by a, circuitous, route to St. Stephen's Cathedral. The hearse was drawn by eight black horses, surrounded by. fortyeight soldiers of the Imperial Guard, eight torch-bearers, and followed by eight pages, carrying crucifixes, cavalry, and infantry. Troops lined the routeTens of thousands of spectators were on tho pavements and roofs, and peering through windows. Meanwhile King Charles drove from the Palace direct to the Cathedral, where the congregation was awaiting the coffin.

Amongst those present were the Empress Zita, the Kings of Bulgaria, Bavaria, Saxony, and Wurtemburg, fifty Archdukes and Archduchesses, and forty other Princes and Princesses.

The Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna officiated, four Cardinals, ten Bishops, and forty-eight priest's* assisting.

After the service King Charles and the other Royalties.and the whole congregation followed the coffin to Capuchin Church, which was so small that only the Royalties awl a few privileged ones could be admitted. After the benediction in the church the coffin was deposited in a crypt, which only the Emperor, the Grand Master of the Court, and two Chamberlains entered. Franz Josef* remains were formally transferred to the custody of the C'aiipchin Monks, the Grand Master handing over a golden key of the coffin. As King Charles rcasccndcd the steps the boom of artillery was heard in the distance.

THE UNCROWNED EMPRESS. REFUSED ADMISSION TO DEATHCHAMBER. Received Dec. 1, 5.3 p.m. Berne, Nov. HO. Madame Schratt drove to Schoo.nbruim after Franz Josef's death, and demanded admittance to take a last farewell of her protector. She was admitted to an ante-room while servants got their instructions, but admittance to the death-chamber was refused, and Madame Schratt was requested .to leave the Oastle without delay. ' ' Madame' Schratt is 04 years of age. She is a middle-class woman of no beauty, but possessing common sense, besides being good-hearted and tactful, The Emperor repeatedly paid her debts, and in 1!)08 presented her with a house costing £35,000.