Krupp, Dead or Alive.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13358, 23 March 1916, Page 6

Krupp, Dead or Alive.

REMARKABLE STORY TOLD TO THE IfciENCH. An extraordinary and dramatic story of the disappearance of Herr Krupp, the Cannon King, is related by the ''Excelsior" of Paris. In November, 1902, when the news of Krupp's death was known in Germany strange stories were told. Some said that the famous ironmaster had been strangled at Capri; others affirmed that he committed suicide at his villa at Essen; in whispers a scandal was related which was supposed to have ended in the death of Herr Frederick Albert Krupp. Many were the stories recounted in Westphalian circles, and it is said of Herr Thyssen, another iron and steel magnate that, when told of Krupp's alleged death, he remarked: — "It is a pity! But who can believe it? Yes, I doubt it; but who knows it* we will not hear of Krupp later?" Certain German newspapers said that his coffin did not contain the remains, of Krupp, and the Kaiser's funeral oration contained more political matter than is usually introduced into a speech over the remains of a dead man. It will be recalled also that the "Vorwarts" made certain accusations, which were stoutly denied by the organ of the Krupp family, the '' Rheinisch - Westfalische Zeitung.'' HEAVY PLAY. In 1902, according to this strange story in the "Excelsior," at the inauguration of the Pusscldorf Exhibitio the Crown Prince made his first official appearance. He returned there several times, dining with the organisers and playing heavily at the hussar officers' club. When the ex-, hibitior.s was about to close Mme. Sarah Bernhardt came to Dusseldorf to make an appearance at the local theatre. All the scats had been had been Jaken in advance, and it was stated that Krupp had retained a box for the Crown Prince, who that morning had arrived incognito as the Graf von Meyendorff. The Prince was accompanied by Count Euleuburg, and that night was the guest of Herr Krupp, who gave a splendid dinner. Later in the evening the Crown Prince showed little inclination to go to the theatre. '"I don't want a French lesson,"- he said. Four of the party, the Crown Prince, Eulenburg, Krupp, and Max Dahl, went round the town, going from tavern to tavern. The Crown Prince dis not seem to be amusing himself very much. At last Dahl said, "Suppose we go to the Chariottenstrasse?" Krupp tried to dissuade him, but the Prince said, "Why not?"

To the riharlottenstrasse they went, and entered a gaming jhouse of evil repute. The same evening the police raided the house, but the Prince and his friends, after being identified, were allowed to go. A lieutenant named I.oow suffered for the others, and tlv sandal came to the Imperial ears. Clount Eulenburg was too powerful 1 • be punished, and to attack Dahl would have been stooping too low. Th re remained Herr Krupp. TEMPTATION.

For t long time the Kaiser had dream: ui lording it entirely over Essen, -ind had tried to induce Krupp to "faki " certain materials with which hi wraa supplying foreign countries, iiuJ, the ironmaster would not deceive his customers. The temptation w:..-. great. If Herr Krupp disappeared there would only be a woman ami two children at the head of affairs at. Essen, and they would be easily overcome. Herr Krupp was given the choice of death or disappearance. One fine day he left for Capri. I'he isle several times received the ■ isit of an annoymous per person, w Ho always left Herr Krupp in a stv • of dejection.

Oik 1 lay the ironmaster left for Austria, where he li:id a meeting with his con-.,, Arthur Krupp, head of the great siivor works at Berndorf. It was at ,: us time that the news of Krupp' death was circulated. The coffin li ;'». (Japri, but Herr Krupp was no longci there. The older members of the board of directors say between themselves that in America, under an- ' other name, the late ironmaster leads -a monotonous life. They also say that at the. Breidenbacher Hotel in Dussoldor" the Baroness von Bendc and her two daughters, Bertha and Barbara Krupp, sometimes meet an old man with gold-rimmed glasses. He has the appearance of a man who has aged prematurely. It is Herr Krupp. Whatever the truth may be, it is certain that the disappearance of the last male member of' the Krupp family allowed the Kaiser to dominate :ii Essen. It also allowed, him to exercise liis \i il' ever the cannon kingdom and to deliver to other States artillery that was not as it should bo. "Is Krupp deadl" asks the "Excelsoir." It matters little: ho disappeared in 1902 the year when Germany began her active preparn- , tion for the struggle which she wng'ed without mercy,