PRINCE & HEIRESS. DUKE D'ABRUZZI AND MISS ELKINS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1908, Page 7

PRINCE & HEIRESS. DUKE D'ABRUZZI AND MISS ELKINS.

OPPOSITION TO MAEEIAGE. the Reason for it. By Telegraph. — Press Association. — Copyright (Received November 3, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, 2nd November. The Dowager-Queen Margherita cf .Italy has withdraw^ all opposition to the Duke d'Abruzzi marrying Miss K. A. Elkins, daughter of Senator Elkius, of the United States. Miss Elkins receives a dowry cf £200,000. Queen Margherita was chiefly opposed to the marriage on the ground that public opinion in America had insinuated that her nephew's bid for the hand of Miss Elkins was dictated by the j greed for dollars. Prince Luigo Amedio Giuseppe Maria Ferdinando Francesco, Duke of Abruzzi, is a> captain in the Italian Navy, and j was born in 1873. He is third son of the late Duke of Aosta. As an explorer he has attained fame, having, penetrated nearer to the North Po)e than any other explorer. Miss Katherrne Elkins is rather a striking-looking girl. Her father, who is largely interested in mining and railroads, was United States Secretary for War in 1891-93. Tb« Queen-Mother was from the outset opposed to the proposed marriage. Tte Count of Turin recently tried to change her opinion. He stated that the Duke 9 age would not allow him to delay his marriage any longer. Moreover, he was determined in the matter, and the engagement was now a formal one. Miss Elkins, said the Count of Turin, was admirably qualified for becoming a member of the House of Savoy. It wav true that she is not of Royal blood, but the Count reminded the Queen-Mother of the fact that the first wife of Prince Amedeo, the mother of the Duke of the Abruzzi, was neither of Royal blood nor a member of the princely family, but a daughter of the Count Dai Pozzo dell a Cisterna, whose nobility was of recent date, yet she was able to hold her position on the Throne of Spain beside her husband. To this Queen Margherita replied that her opinion was the same as it had been. She was absolutely opposed to the marriage, because, amongst several other things, a largo part of the American public had declared that the Duke of the Abruzzi had gone to the United States "in search of a dowry." Moreover, many of the American newspapers, in articles, sketches, and caricatures, had spread similar statements, while the Italian colony in America were not at all pleased with the match.