BANKRUPT PRINCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2622, 2 October 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

BANKRUPT PRINCE.

£50,000 IN DEBT

Ruin and practical extinction have followed upon the extravagance of Prince Hermann, of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, who is only 23 years of age, and heir-presumptive to the throne of the reigning Grand Duke, who exercises sway over a territory of 1388 square miles, with a population approaching 400,000, in the heart of Germany. It is officially announced that he has renounced for himself and his posterity his claim to the succession as well as the name, rank, and title of member of the Grand Ducal house, and will, as Count Ostheim, descend to the grade of a private person. He is tlio elder son of Prince William, cousin of the reigning Grand Duke. His right of succession passes to his brother Albert, his junior by only 11 months. It is probable that Prince Albert will eventually come to the throne, as the reigning Grand Duke has no children and is not expected to marry again, because he still mourns the tragic death of his beautiful wife. Princess Caroline of Reuss, who died when she was 21. The Prince’se renunciation is not entirely voluntary. He had, in fact, to yield to the pressure brought upon him after he had shown qualities which were regarded as undesirable in a future ruler of the State. His habits of life were much discussed last year on the revelation of his relations with certain Berlin money-lenders, to whom he owes some £50,000. through his extravagance in Berlin society and on the turf. For some time he was an officer in the Cuirassiers of the Guard, but his pecuniary embarrassments led to his being transferred from the capital to a lieutenancy in the Eleventh Uhlans in the less expensive atmosphere of Saarburg He still, however, found the opportunity for prodigalities, and as his mother refused to pay his debts he was obliged to leave the army altogether, and was placed under guardianship. Even this measure failed to stave off the threatening catastrophe. At one time there was talk of a match between him and Princess Marie Bonaparte, granddaughter of M. Blac, of Monte Carlo, lie offered her his hand, but tho Princess refused him.