# 58

Franz Josef and Wilhelm Plot Strategy.

As the carriage entered Emperor Franz' favorite palace Hofburg castle court it passed through the Swiss Gate where gaily clad Swiss Guards stood at the portals. Wilhelm nudged Erich with a tap on his shoulder and told him to look around, for the Hofburg was an entire city unto it with its eighteen wings and courtyards.

 The ornate carriage stopped in front of the thirteenth century Hofburg. Austro-

Hungarian Foreign Minister, Count Leopold Berchtold greeted the passengers. The tall, thin dandy had a high, bald and narrow skull, long nose, and short mustache hiding a pair of tightly closed lips. He was a man of unctuous charm.

At the conclusion of the introductions, Count Berchtold clasped Wilhelm, whom he

knew quite well, and kissed him on both cheeks. After a few sundry comments, the group ascended the huge chancery staircase that led to the Emperor’s quarters. At each level magnificently accoutered guards, halberds in hand, saluted the German Kaiser.

The marble floors were so highly polished that any general inspection would find

them satisfactory. Mirrors allowed every ego to enjoy its coming and going

Inside the Hofburg Palace, shadows were quite dark during the day. Sunlight found it

difficult to negotiate the palace hall’s numerous twists and turns.
At the Hofburg Imperial, orders were that fine wax candles light up its halls and

rooms.

Two Hungarian bodyguards stood with drawn swords at the door leading to the

Emperor’s office, where Franz Josef had found a single corner in which he could forget his cares during part of the day.

In the anteroom, the visitors found seats and waited for the emperor’s permission to

enter. Double doors opened, as though by magic, and a captain of the Arcieren Guard

loudly announced the presence of Kaiser Wilhelm, Count Leopold Berchtold, Field

Marshal Count Hotzendorf, and General Falkenhayn.

 Sitting at a desk, Franz Josef, emperor of Austria-Hungary, in the undress uniform of a

Field Marshal, paid little heed to his visitors. Rings of cigar smoke hung about his egg-like baldpate. Above his head, a chandelier glowed by its dozens of lighted candles.
Conrad bowed and clicked his heels saying, “Your Majesty, I bring before you,
Emperor Wilhelm of Germany.”

There was no response from the Emperor. He busied himself with his paper work.

Count Berchtold understood by the pervading silence that his presence was no longer
required. He explained to the emperor that he planned a meeting with the General Staff.
Bowing low, the three men carefully backed out of the room through the magically
opened double doors.

Willy found  an armchair in darkened corner of the room wishing that his uncle did

not despise electricity. Straining his eyes, he perceived in the near darkness a large
painting of the Franz Josef’s mother on the wall directly in front of the Emperor’s desk.

 

Meanwhile, Franz Josef continued working at his desk, piled high with sheets of paper.

His spectacles hung low on his nose. As he shifted his body, he favored his creaking

limbs, uttering a low grumble of complaint.

His desk was a simple wooden table. A dark flowered cloth covered it. At his right

was an inkwell. While Willy waited quietly, the emperor worked and smoked. He sat
patiently before his pile of papers, without uttering a word of complaint about the messages.

Finally, his work done, he shook a brass bell. An aide entered and with a bow to Wilhelm retrieved the completed documents and silently departed.
Without so much as a “How are you,” Franz Joseph exclaimed, “Now, Wilhelm, you
wrote to me that you have serious business to discuss with me and that it was urgent!”
Realizing that he acted rudely with his guest, he changed his tone. “I am very sorry
Wilhelm that I have just treated you so badly. You must forgive me!”

Willy stood up and shook the Emperor’s hand. “Uncle Franzi there is no way that I

feel badly treated by you. No, you are my paragon! I look to you for sage advice and

confident support.”

Obviously unabashed, Franz Josef rubbed his baldhead and said, “Here, Wilhelm, have one of my Havana cigars.”

 “All right, uncle, I guess I will try one.”

As the smoke curled slowly above the men, Franz Josef considerately asked his guest

about his family affairs.

Wilhelm gave a proud, but terse summary, of the personal growth of his six sons and his daughter. He spent more time discussing his wife Dona who he claimed was his close companion. “When I arrive at her apartment, she allows me to go into detail about my daily activities. I love that woman! She is a great listener, which is what I need after a particularly difficult day!”

“Yes, Wilhelm,” said Franz Josef, “I can appreciate such an arrangement. I miss

Elisabeth terribly. When Austria and Hungary formed the Dual Monarchy, she and I
worked like a team to make the plan succeed. You know that the Hungarians loved
Elisabeth
 “Are you happy with Frau Katharina Schratt?”

“Let me be very frank. Since my loss of Elisabeth, she has been a source of comfort

and solace during difficult times for me. When Katharina came into my life, she was just thirty years old and was a well-known actress in Vienna’s Burgtheater. When I first saw her at the theater, I fell in love with her much like a young Lothario. My God, I couldn’t wait to conquer that beautiful body! She was the female companionship that I missed during Elisabeth’s long absences. After she became my mistress, I purchased a charming baroque style house on Gloriettegasse near to the Schonbrunn. It enabled me to visit her at my leisure.”

“That was most considerate and generous of you, Uncle,” said Wilhelm.

“Yes, my dear friend,” replied the Emperor, “I enjoyed un petit déjeuner with the

woman many mornings. After that, we took a stroll in the grounds of the Schonbrun

amusing each other with the chatter of young lovers.”

Staring at the glowing end of his cigar Wilhelm subtly asked if Frau Schratt’s future is

secure.

“Certainly! I may be old and doddering, but I am not stupid! When I croak, she will

receive a handsome inheritance.”

The Austrian Kaiser lit another cigar.

“You know, Wilhelm, that I am eighty four years old and probably not long for this

world. However, I think always about my Austria and especially my beloved Vienna.

Over my many years, I faced storm and plight, surrounded by enemies, yet Austria
remains erect and noble. I feel that, from the moors to the mountains, I was instrumental in defending the nation. The sparkling swords of our brave soldiers are a wall of defense against enemies from the east and south.

“I believe that singing about peace is vital to our destiny. However, I will order the

trumpets to signal a call to arms to face any attack by our neighbors. I do not fear war!

Vienna fills my heart and my mind its greatness in all things. I can hear it as it weeps and as it laughs. This is where I know my way. This is where I am at home.”

“I have never met any one who lives in or visits Vienna who is untouched by its

special aura of music, art, business, architecture and its people. If I have to leave this

Eden, my yearning would never end! My ears would hear an imaginary song that has all the sounds of the city and that entices me back to its roots.
“Even now, I recall in my dreams of those idyllic houses, those lovely girls strolling
on the avenues, the parade of handsomely clad soldiers following the brass band that

makes Vienna so gay. I dream of spending time with beautiful women until late in the
night or perhaps I visualize me sitting with a girl drinking wine and my arm holding her tight. The two of us are discreetly quiet, favored by distant sounds of a waltz by Strauss.”

The old man pulled a long white handkerchief from his rear pants pocket. He blew his

nose with a loudness that startled Wilhelm

“Yes, whether or not I want it, I only hope that death comes late. Once I have to leave

this world, I will sadly part from love and wine. Unfortunately, whatever one gains, one loses. No, when I pass on I will fly right into Heaven where I will sit and watch Vienna from above and see Saint Stephen’s sunlit steeple greeting me!

 

Wilhelm stood close to the Emperor and said, “I sincerely want to regard Prussia’s

defeat of Austria as being in the past and buried. I look forward to a future of close
relationship with Austria-Hungary.”

This frankness made a deep impression on Emperor Franz Josef He gripped the

proffered hand and held it fast. While Willy looked up to Franz Josef, a man so much

older, with respectful, almost filial affection, the latter was anxious to show the German Emperor how grateful he was. Though his natural reserve did not allow his warm regard for William II to appear on the surface, anyone in close touch with him could see right down into the depths of his unshakable confidence and cordial sympathy. To this, the Emperor added his wholehearted admiration for the tremendous development of Germany during the reign of Wilhelm II, and his grateful recognition of the great achievements of the German nation in every sphere of life.”

Wilhelm said, “It is understood that Austria-Hungary is limited to poor and ancient

markets. She can scarcely hold her own among the resolute rivalry of her neighbors."

The Emperor nodded. “Yes, that is somewhat true. However, since you have taken

over the reins in Germany, we have improved economically. Much of our success has

been due to our close relation with your nation. Now, other competing nations take a
second look before trying to prevent us from opening new markets.”

“By the way,” said Franz Josef, changing the subject, “I want to relate to you

experience I had several years ago that concerned you. In the spring of 1901, I had gone to Budapest to meet with the Hungarian leaders there. One evening, several of us
gathered for a light dinner. The topic of South Africa arose and the cessation of hostilities there. The Boer Conflict was still an important item among the foreign affairs ministers.
Someone at the table made a remark about Emperor Wilhelm’s telegram to Oom Paul
Kruger, the president of the Transvaal. The guest construed it as a challenge to England.
That was not how I construed the telegram. It was merely a quite natural and human

recognition of the incomparable bravery of the Dutch Boers. No other construction could be put upon it, because I know only too well that the German Emperor’s one thought is always the maintenance of peace.”

A moment of silence ensued while the two men mulled over the last statement.

Wilhelm was pleased for it showed him the support of Franz Josef that he needed before he broached him about Germany’s plans for a preventative attack against the Triple Alliance.
 

 Franz Josef patted Wilhelm’s hand. “However, I will tell you something dear nephewthat causes me concern. I read about your recent speech, the ‘shining armor.’ I hope that your temperament is not getting the better of you. This boasting about the sharpness of the German sword seems to me dangerous. In countries where feeling is unfriendly to us that means almost everywhere- such words may only too easily be misunderstood deliberately misconstrued. Europe today is like a powder keg; we must be careful and not scatter sparks about carelessly.”

Continuing to pat his guest’s hand, he said, “However, I believe in you. Your love of
your family, your trust in God and loyalty are the qualities which endear you to me.”

“Thank you. I deeply appreciate your kind thoughts! Uncle, you are the main reason I

visit Vienna so often. I am quite human and I sincerely need your wise advice and
support.”

Wilhelm removed a gold cigarette case from his pocket and lit one of his cigarettes.

He sucked the smoke deep into his lungs before continuing his discussion.

“Dear Uncle, I need to talk to you about a world shattering topic! I…”
 

“Hold that thought, Wilhelm,” said Franz Josef. He picked up a small brass bell and

shook it violently.

 

The double doors sprung open and a servant carrying a silver tray brought cold beer to

the monarchs. He placed two colorful pewter steins on a small buffet. Holding the tray to his side, he bowed and backed out of the room.

Franz Joseph walked over to the buffet and poured beer into the steins. He gave one to

Wilhelm and they tapped their steins together.

“Prosit!” said the emperor.

Wilhelm had decided it was time to provide a detailed description of the war strategy

that his General Staff developed. He leaned forward in his chair, his face a few inches
from that of Franz Josef.

“Of course, Uncle, you well know that Germany is surrounded by hostile nations in

particular France, Russian and England. We now have indisputable information that they have completed plans to attack not only Germany but Austria-Hungary!”

Franz Josef folded his hands across his chest and leaned back in his chair. “I, too, have

heard rumors about that. Do you really possess substantive proof of those rascals and
their schemes?”

“Our spies,” said Wilhelm, “have provided us with detailed information of the
nefarious strategy cooked up by the Triple Entente!”
 

The Austrian Emperor sat up straight and motioned with his hand for Wilhelm to give

him more details.

 

“At a recent meeting of English, French and Russian top military men in Devonshire,

England plans were developed that clearly indicated that the Triple Entente was
determined to attack at least two members of the Triple Alliance.”

Franz Josef walked over to a corner table and took a cigar from humidor. Wilhelm

swiftly offered a light, but the Emperor had used a candle flame to do the trick.
 

“Uncle Franzi, our duty is clear. We know what must be done to defeat the unholy

three.”
Wilhelm paused for a moment searching the Emperor’s face for some form of

emotion. He found nothing that might suggest fear or irresolution

“We must strike first, immediately, powerfully and overwhelmingly. We must in one

stroke defeat them. We realize that our Austrian brothers in arms can play a major role in our overall strategy.”

Franz Josef pointed a finger at his nephew. “Are you suggesting a preemptive attack?”

Wilhelm nodded. The silence that followed worried him. Again, the younger monarch
searched for a reaction to his remarks. Franz Josef’s face remained impassive. Wilhelm

had a sinking feeling that he was not reaching his uncle. He decided to take a mor

positive approach, one that might bolster the old man’s confidence and to stiffen his

resolve.

“Of course, you and I are not alone. We have aligned Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy and

possibly Romania.

“Basically, the strategy is to lure Russian armies into a holding pattern until we can

beat the French. Then, we can finish off the Russians!”
 

Franz Joseph sipped his beer and spoke for the first time about the military alignment.

“Are you certain of the aid of Italy?”
 

Wilhelm stroked his chin. “We have offered them incentives that will keep them in the

fold. If they stay with us, they will provide a buffer zone at the French border.”

“The main problem is Servia! Russia and Servia are intertwined like Siamese twins.

The Serbs can put a wrench in our plans by first striking at Austria and holding up your

armies. Therefore, if Austria can knock out the small Servian army in a month or so w

will provide a solid front against the Russians from the Baltic to the Black Sea. A victory can practically insure the continuation of our monarchies. Thus, rest assured, dear Uncle, a victory will insure that Austria-Hungary and Germany will remain economic and military powerhouses and together we will keep the peace of Europe. I know how you feel, Uncle, but we must definitely know that our beloved brothers in Austria are with us.”

 

Franz Josef began tapping his fingers on his desktop. After a few moments of

meditation, he wiped his face with the palm of his hand. “You have presented me with a world-shaking proposition. It is one filled with dangerous pathways. One wrong move, one wrong path taken and all is lost! What you suggest is little more than a toss of the dice. If you are lucky, the German world will last for a millennium. If you lose, a chaotic future lies ahead for Germany and Austria-Hungary. However, Wilhelm, I am a gamble at heart.”

Pouring himself another pint of beer, the Emperor began to make his thoughts

cohesive. After a few moments, while Wilhelm sat quietly by, he said, “My intuition tells me that if Austria goes to war, it is not for territory, but to save itself. If the Monarchy must perish it should at least perish with decency!”

Franz Joseph’s face lit up and took on a glow that Wilhelm had never observed before.

“You have my promise!”
 

The two Emperors stood up and hugged each other for several minutes.

When they sat down, Wilhelm said, “Our main problem is to find a reason for Austria

to attack Servia without looking like aggressors. You see Uncle, in a type of war that I

am suggesting, we will need to keep all the friends we can throughout the world. If we

are seen as the victims of Russian, French and British bullies, we can pretty well count on the sympathy of the United States and the rest of Europe.”

By now, Wilhelm feared that he might have gone too far in his attempt to gain Franz
Josef’s backing for war. He decided to change the subject for a while and let the Emperor assimilate the difficult decision.

“I fully understand, Uncle Franzi, that you consider yourself the chosen guardian of

the fame and reputation of your House— house which has claimed and occupied the

first place in Europe for more than six hundred years. How hard it must have been for

you, worn out by the blows of fate, to give your consent to the Franz Ferdinand’s

morganatic marriage! Yet, you seemed to have no choice if you are to follow the laws of royal continuity. When I visited Franz Ferdinand, he seemed very concerned about how he will best lead his nation when he is placed on the throne.”
 

The emperor said, “I, also, have the same concerns. However, when the time comes
his reign will be in the hands of God!”

For a few moments, he closed his eyes and remained lost in thought. Then he spoke,
not so much to Wilhelm as to himself, the words seemed to tear themselves from his

heart.

“A higher power has ordered me to reach a single conclusion!”
 

“What is that, Uncle?”
 

Franz stood up with difficulty. His old bones creaked as he did so. With his fists

closed and shaking, he exclaimed, “That’s it! That’s it!” By God, that’s it! Wilhelm,

listen to me! I have made decisions that sent thousands of men to their death. I have

ordered assassinations that you wouldn’t believe. I have absolutely no qualms about my actions. Sin! Evil! No, my good man! I did what was best for the nation. Moral judgment didn’t even enter into it.”

Wilhelm crushed his cigar in an ashtray. “I don’t believe for the world that you would

order such a terrible thing as an assassination!”
 

“Oh no? You may recall Louis II of Bavaria, the friend of Richard Wagner, was found
drowned in 1886 in Lake Starnberg?”

“You had something to do with that?”
 

“The bastard stole the heart of my beloved Elisabeth from me. I would kill for that

woman and I did!”

Suddenly Franz Josef turned bright red and began to choke. Wilhelm feared that the

old man was having a stroke. However, the situation immediately resolved itself when

the emperor raised his arm to wave off Wilhelm’s help.

“Don’t fear, nephew, I am not dying! A damned piece of my cigar end got stuck in my

throat!”

Back in his chair again, Franz Josef nervously tapped his fingers on the desktop. Then he stood up and began vigorously scratching his derrière. “It’s my damned

hemorrhoids!”

From behind the emperor’s bushy mustache and sideburns emerged a face of pure

evil. His eyes reddened, his skin had a gray sheen, and he rapidly licked his lips, his

tongue appeared large and warty.

Wilhelm started to rise from his chair.

“Stay where you are!”

Wilhelm fell back in his seat, again deeply concerned that the old man might be

having apoplexy.

 

“By Christ,” shouted Franz Josef, his voice had become quite hoarse, “if you want a

casus belli for an attack on Servia, I will damn well give you the perfect solution to your Gordian knot.”
With a demonstration of great excitement, he accidentally knocked his beer stein to

the floor. Suddenly, as though new life surged through his body, the emperor stood up

and leaned within inches of Wilhelm’s worried face!

The old man gleefully shouted, “Kill Franz Ferdinand!”

With both hands, the emperor then grabbed the German monarch’s shoulders and
shook the trembling and greatly astonished man. “Yes, have the bastard assassinated by some fucking Serb radical and our problem is solved! Do you understand me?”

Wilhelm quickly answered, “Yes, I do! By God! Yes I do.”
 

“Kill Franz Ferdinand!” The Emperor shrieked, “Oh, if I could me rid of this pesky

prince once and for all!”

 

For a moment, Wilhelm listened in silence.

“But wait a moment, Uncle Franzi,” said the nervous German Kaiser having second

thoughts, “you can’t make that happen. It’s a mortal sin! You are certainly not the type of human being that would even consider such an evil act!”
 

“Bull shit!” was the reply. “Oh, my poor, innocent Wilhelm! Hear me out! My doctors

tell me that Franz Ferdinand’s tuberculosis has returned and that he may not live too

long! Actually, I would be doing him a favor!”
 

“Now listen to this! Last year, I gave Franz Ferdinand the rank of Inspector General of

the armed forces. I figured it would make the fool happy. Now, it just happens that he is planning to attend troop maneuvers in Bosnia this coming June.”
 

“I don’t follow you, Uncle,” said Wilhelm.
 

“Now, for Christ’s sake, use your noodle, Wilhelm! What would happen if something

terrible happened to the heir apparent?”
 

“In Bosnia?” asked Wilhelm. “I doubt that an incident there would cause much

alarm!”

“Ach du Lieber! You are not thinking, nephew! What if a stupid Serb assassinate
Franz Ferdinand? A man from that secret society, the Blackhand? We could easily place the blame on the Servian government! It could provide us with the greatest opportunity to eliminate Servia as a political force. The world would sympathize with us!”

The emperor giggled like a young child with a new toy.

“Are you with me, Wilhelm?”

The German Kaiser shouted, “I love it!”

After Kaiser Wilhelm agreed to the nefarious plan, the old man opened his fly.

“Wilhelm, place your hand on my naked thigh and swear fealty.”
 

Without hesitation the Kaiser did as directed. “I swear to you that I will remain your

trusted ally through any tempest we face, so help me God!”

As Wilhelm withdrew his hand, he felt the Emperor’s body quiver.

Suddenly a terrible thought occurred to Wilhelm. “Uncle Franzi, did you have

anything to do with Rudolf’s death? How about Elisabeth’s death?

 

Franz Josef made no effort to reply. He simply put a fresh cigar in his mouth and lit it

with a candle flame. He showed no emotion by Wilhelm’s questions. In fact, he blew a

ring of smoke in the German Kaiser’s face.

“It’s my last chance,” he expressed himself sadly. “It would enable me to make

restitution for all my failures!”
 

The emperor slowly caressed the surface of his desk “By God, I don’t mind admitting

that I want to go out in flames! I want a glorious end! Yes, Wilhelm, it will be my

Götterdammerung! Yes, by God it is time to throw the dice!”

Wilhelm wondered about the strength of his uncle’s outburst.

From the darkest corner of the room, a grandfather clock began to grind its gears

followed by bonging the hour of eleven o’clock.

The aged monarch stood up, straightened his tunic and said, politely, “I have a

meeting with some members of the Parliament
 

Without ado, he shook Wilhelm’s hand and said, “Goodbye!”
 

However, as Wilhelm was about to leave, filled with mixed feelings of joy and
consternation, the Emperor said to him, “Dear Willy, do come back soon to Vienna. It
will give me great pleasure. The sooner you come the better, I shall be pleased!”
 

Just as he passed through the great twin doors, Willy heard the Emperor loudly

blowing his nose. Was it catarrh or was it the stifling of a secret feeling.


                        Alea iacta est!
               What fools we mortals be!


 

# 57

                      WHO WAS FRANZ FERDINAND? 

 PART 4

Seeking another amusement, Ferdie hopped behind the wheel of his touring car and

drove his family and guests on a visit to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The
weather was fair and everyone, except the father, sang boisterous songs along the way.
Instead, he stared out at the scenery as though he were alone in the world.

The supervisor of the School led his guests into a huge training arena where four,

gray-colored Lipizzaner breed horses stood patiently. The supervisor, Herr Vogelrufer,
gave a brief explanation of the school’s function and history. He told his listeners that
Lipizzaner stallions were a hybrid of Andalusian and Arab horses, originally raised
near Trieste at the village of Lipizza.

Herr Vogelrufer asked His Highness if he and his visitors would care to ride on the

horses.


“Why yes, of course,” replied Franz Ferdinand. “I can assure you that Kaiser Wilhelm
and his entourage are capable equestrians!”

Duchess Sophie and her children sat in the stands ready to cheer for Ferdie and his

guests.

The horses came to a mounting ramp where the visitors easily and firmly sat in their

English saddles. The supervisor also mounted a steed, mainly to keep an eye on the
security of his guests.
The horses immediately exhibited their famous powerful, elastic gaits. Their excellent
training showed as they pounced about proudly, raising their well-shaped legs.

Both Wilhelm and Herbie took their mounts through different paces while Franz

Ferdinand limited his ride to a few circles of the arena. Eric trailed behind.

After one-half hour of jaunting and whooping loudly, Wilhelm motioned for his ride

to end and the men jumped from their steeds much like circus riders do.

Franz Ferdinand grinned and complimented his guests for their equestrian prowess.

Sophie and her children clapped and cheered the men.
 

In order to break the iciness of the Archduke, Wilhelm jokingly pointed to Herbie and

said, “I believe that my A.D.C learned his riding techniques on burros!”
 

The Archduke guffawed at the thought.

Upon their return to Knoptisch castle, Wilhelm learned that a special affair was in the

offing.

That evening, Franz Ferdinand’s children gleefully chased each other about the

drawing room as workmen set up an opaque white screen in one corner and a motion
picture projector in another.

Folding chairs lined up before the screen. When all was ready, a servant notified the

Archduke. Francis Ferdinand’s family and Willy’s companions sat down to watch a

motion picture. It was a novelty for it showed Willy and Ferdie touring Vienna a few

days past. With every one seated, the room lights were extinguished and a deep darkness descended upon the room.

“How real he looks,” shouted Sophie.

Her children clapped their hands in delight at the sight of their father on the screen. They saw him driving about in a limousine while crowds of onlookers waved to him and the Kaiser. One scene showed the two men entering St. Stephen’s cathedral greeted by the Bishop and his priests. Another scene included some high jinx as both Ferdie and Willy made faces at the camera. Everyone in the room laughed at the antics. It was the first time that the family ever saw their father standing arm in arm with someone other than his immediate kin.

 

Suddenly, the film ripped and the room became dark. The unfamiliar smell of burning
celluloid soon pervaded the room. Servants immediately lit candles while others found
the light switches and turned them on. While her children surrounded her in fear, Sophie began sobbing. She did so for some moments until Ferdie held her shaking hand.

 

“What is it my dear? Why are you crying so?” he asked as though to console her.

Drying her eyes with a lace handkerchief, his wife replied, with trepidation, “Up until
the point where the film stopped, I felt great happiness watching you and Willy enjoying your horseback ride. However, when the screen darkened so suddenly and you disappeared from view, a feeling of despair came over me. It was powerful feeling of foreboding.”

Ferdie knelt beside his wife. “Now there, Darling, do not spend one more second

carrying such thoughts in your pretty head. Willy and I will live on for another hundred
years! Right, Willy?”

Sophie, however, was inconsolable and she and the children made a hasty exit from

the drawing room.

While Willy looked on in amazement, Ferdie began coughing violently. He fumbled
for his handkerchief with which to wipe his mouth. The pure white cloth was stained red with blood.

“Good Lord, Ferdie, how can I help you?”

“Only God can help me, my friend … Only God!”

 

 

# 56

 Who was Franz Ferdinand?

Part Three

The gardens of Knoptisch were at their peak of color. Dozens of circular beds blazed

with multi-colored flora. Several beds were interspersed with roses of every color and

shape.

Herbie was aware of Franz Ferdinand’s hobby with roses. He prayed that he could

remember Latin names of several of the roses that he crammed for prior to leaving

Berlin. He figured that spouting such titles would win over Ferdie’s trust in him.

While walking about, Ferdinand was extraordinarily courteous to his guest. He chose

his words carefully and well. He did want to appear too pedantic or he might loose

Herbie’s interest.
Two terriers followed the duo, sniffing here and there, poising to urinate on a tree or

two.

 

“Permit me, Your Highness,” said Herbie, “may I inspect …”

Ferdie placed his index finger over Herbie’s mouth. “Please, while we two are

together enjoying ourselves, call me Ferdie. Is that all right with you?”

“Certainly, Your …,” hesitated Herbie. “If that is your wish, Ferdie.”
 

“My orchids are a difficult species to cultivate. It takes up a great deal of time, and too

often, I cannot find gardeners who know the intricacies of caring for them. It pains me

to lose even one of them, but over the years quite a few have died on me.”

In spite of Ferdie’s misgivings, circles of orchids, as far as eye could see, had an

allurement that captured the curiosity of passersby. They briefly enjoyed the mass of

colors and fantastic shapes. Ferdie was anxious to wander through his cherished rose

garden. When the two men reached the flowerbeds, several gardeners were busy

weeding in between rows. They stood up as the Archduke arrived. After they had

bowed to the visitors, they continued with their work.

“Just for the record,” said Ferdie, “roses are mentioned 5000 years ago by the
 

Sumerians of Mesopotamia. Can you imagine Mesopotamian women filling clay pots
 

with fresh cut roses and placing them about their abodes?”
 

“I wonder if they labeled them in cuneiform?” jested Herbie in an attempt to get his
 

host to smile. It did not work. Herbie began to think that there was no way he was

going to get ‘old stone face’ to melt.

Ferdie stopped before a circle of yellow roses. He motioned for Herbie to take a close

look at them.

“Are these not beautiful? How about their fragrance? Is it not divine? It is pure

perfume! You see, my good friend,” explained Ferdie, “Yellow roses, when raised by
 the ancient Romans, had a terrible smell. Thus, they are Rose Foetida. The Romans

denied entrance to secret meetings by fastening a rose at the entryway. Do you know

what subrosa means? It translates to “under the rose” and means to keep a secret.”



After a lengthy discussion of ancient varieties, the men stopped at another circle filled

with variegated roses. From out of his coat pocket, Ferdie took a penknife. He

carefully cut a stem from among the flowers.

“Look here, my Herbie, and count the petals.”

“I count five of them.”

Ferdie shook his head up and down as though motivating a schoolboy. “Early

Christians identified the five petals of the rose with the five wounds of Jesus Christ.

Later, the red rose became a symbol of the blood of Christian martyrs. Today, we give

different rose colors a symbolic meaning: Red is love and white is innocence purity.
 

Take note of this variety. They are pale pink to burgundy. Check their fragrance! Some
 

of these are from Empress Josephine’s gardens. She had an abiding interest in botany.”

Herbie saw his opportunity to capture Ferdie’s confidence.

 

“I believe that the French rose Gallicas originated in ancient Rome. However, my

favorites are Oriental tea roses which were introduced to Europe early last century.”

A distinct silence arose between the two men and Herbie felt that he had gone too far

showing off his knowledge of roses.

However, Ferdie took him by the hand and stopped at another circle.

“Can you tell me what these pink roses are?”

“Well,” said Herbie with all seriousness, “I believe these are Dog roses.”

“And what is their Latin name?”

 

“You know as well as I do, that it is Rosa canina.”

“And over there in that circle, what are they?”

“If you mean the yellow ones, they are Rosa pimpinellifolia.”

 

The Archduke stood with his arms akimbo. His countenance took on a look of

amazement. “Where in the world did you learn about roses?”

“My dear mother,” said Herbie, “loved her garden and allowed me to dig in the soil

before I could walk. She insisted that I learn the names of every flower and their Latin

names.”

“May God bless your beloved mother? I am truly astonished! Forgive me if I first took

you for ein Rohling! Now I know that I am not in the company of a yahoo, but instead

you are a man after my own heart!”

“Thank you,” replied a delighted Herbie. “It is very kind of you to say so. When you

asked me to accompany you through your garden, I was thrilled beyond imagination!”

Ferdie held his newfound friend’s hand and said, “In that case, let us continue our

journey into the wonderful world of roses! I have about one hundred varieties here at

Konoptisch. At the Belvedere, I grow about two hundred varieties.”

The “tour guide” explained that the rose was the best loved of all flowers. “It has been
 

so, as you well know, since ancient times. Of course, all present day roses are
 

descendants of wild roses.”
 

Herbie interjected, “Yes, and until the last century all roses had double blooms, but
 

now an inamorato can lay a single bright red rose in his lady’s bower increasing his
 

chances of love making.”

Unaffected by the poetic phrasing, Ferdie blandly asked, “Do you know why they call
 

them ‘tea roses?’”

“No, I don’t.”

“The tea rose imported from china had a tea-like fragrance.”

A couple of hours passed by and it was time to end their roving. Herbie left his
 

companion and checked on an almost black colored rose. He then stood behind Ferdie,
 

who rested on a wooden bench, his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on his

palms.

Herbie received the distinct impression that the man was softly weeping. He then sat
 

down next to the Archduke and took the extreme risk of putting his arm around the
 

aristocrat’s shoulder.

“What is the matter, Sire? Have I said something that may have hurt your feelings?”

Ferdie lifted his head and looked at his companion, tears continued to roll down his

cheeks.

The experience gave Herbie a jolt.

Ferdie took hold of Herbie’s hand. “No, my dear friend, you have not done me harm.

In fact, this past hour has given me the opportunity to share my deepest feeling with
 

someone I can trust. Do you understand me?”

“I believe that I do. Let me promise you that any feelings you express to me will never
 

leave my lips!”
 

“Thank you, Herbie. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
 

His face had a smile upon it that few people were at liberty to observe.
 

Ferdie stood up and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief that Herbie offered him. Then,
 

he walked over to a rose bed and deftly cut a single rose from among the group. This

he handed it to his friend.

“Take this thing of beauty that in your mind will be a joy forever. Press it between the

pages of your Bible and years from now, when I am long dead, take it out and think of

me and remember how you saved me from a dark moment in my life!”

 

The two men sat together placidly drinking in the pulchritude of their surroundings.
 

The cool, clean air made their faces tingle adding to their enjoyable experience.
 

Herbie calculated that this was a favorable time to elicit deep felt beliefs of the
 

Archduke.

“Have you ever been to France, Ferdie,” he asked.

“No, I have not,” replied Ferdie, firmly. “My attitude towards France is somewhat

negative, for I believe that she is the principal agent of the decline of Austria. She

began her nefarious efforts at the opening of my Uncle Franz Josef’s reign. I do know

that the French well understand my opinion of them. They think that I may be the

Louis the Eleventh of Austria! He was the inspiration for the foundation of an absolute

monarchy in France. As you well can imagine autocrats face a very insecure future in

Europe.”

“Do you have the same attitude toward the English?”

Ferdie offered a cigarette to his friend who accepted it. Both men sucked deeply and

let smoke gush from their mouths. Ferdie continued with his thoughts. “Today, my

sympathy is with Great Britain. I am impressed with things English; their life, habits,

their positivism, energy and respect for law and order. All these agree with my own

obviously serious and self-contained personality.”

“Actually, when I was young, I entertained a vain notion of marrying Princess Mary,

the eldest daughter of the then Prince of Wales. However, fate has a strange way of

affecting our lives. Instead of Mary, I found my beloved Sophie. Gott sei Dank!”

“Herbie, for your own instruction, it’s worth knowing that in life things always turn

out quite differently from what one thinks or wishes. Don’t forget it!”

“I will remember your words! How about Austria-Hungary?”

The future emperor carefully selected his words and declared, “I do fear for the future

of Austria. That damned Dual Monarchy of ours will be our downfall. Unless

fundamental changes happen, the Empire is doomed to destruction on the rock of
 

Hungary. When I begin my reign, and it will not be long from now, I will seek to

establish a federation of small independent states that would have the widest measure

of autonomy. Held firmly by the bond of a strong central government.”

Herbie said, “It sounds as though you are considering a model of the United States.”

“Yes,” replied Ferdie, “especially since Austria-Hungary is made up of many

nationalities. E pluribus unum, I say!”
 

“What are your feelings about Prussia?”
 

“Frankly, I never say a word about this in public, and I ask you to keep it under your

hat. I believe that the extraordinary increase in the power of Prussia is incongruous

with the unity of a mainly homogeneous German Empire. In its current situation,

Prussia enfeebles the whole organism and turns its vital force into false tracks. Believe

me,

one day this hypertrophy condition will be revealed by some terrible catastrophe!”

“What kind of catastrophe?”

 

“I am not certain, Herbie, but the disaster might very well come quite unexpectedly so
 

that its outcome would be highly destructive to European civilization!”

 

“I listen in amazement to what you say, Ferdie, for it is so new and strange to me that
 

such an event could happen! I have been told by many persons that the greatness of
 

Germany is due to the firm hand and predominance of Prussia and her ability to keep

the peace!”

Ferdie, snorted. “More than that, I fear that the ascendancy of Prussia is a danger for
 

Austria-Hungary!”

“The Dual Monarchy again! In God’s name why?”

 

“I base my thinking, my friend, on the fact that Prussia has made Germany’s greatness

a subject of growing fear to all her neighbors. With its ‘force-your-way’ system,

Prussia drives the Germans forward ruthlessly, without a thought, that they might

strike a brick wall against which it is useless for them to bloody their heads. It can only

be a matter of half dozen years before Germany reaches her goal.”

“If this is true,” queried Herbie, “what can be done to bring Prussia to its senses?”

The Heir to the throne paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. “The essential

thing is to avoid a conflagration of Europe during that period. It is Germany’s business

to avert such a conflict if she does not want be thwarted in her steady economic rise.

She can just as easily fall from the heights she has already climbed at such a terrible

cost to her! You wait and see!”