PRINCE AS PRIVATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11717, 6 June 1916, Page 7

PRINCE AS PRIVATE.

IN DISGRACE, ENLISTED IN RANKS Though almost ©very royal bouse in Europe is represented at the front, Italy's olpne can boast of a member who is a simple soldier, fighting among the rank and file. TJmberto, Count of Salemni, shares the lot and tho labours of peasants and working men. Ho is stationed at Vogliera for the moment, in the regiment of Cavalry Guides. His regiment will soon bo dismounted and go into' the trenches. Then this scion of the House of Savoy will tramp side by side witli ti*J rankers and share their trench life on tho exposed '"and difficult Italian outposts on tho dangerous" plateau called the Carso. The Count' is a son of Prince Amedea, late Duke of Aosta, who died sixteen years ago. His mother, the Duke's second wife, is a Princess Bonaparte. She lives in Turin, and her son, 111 his soldier'B uhi form is allowed' to visit her on Sundays, when, with the other men of the troop, he has several hours' leave. His half-brothers are Emanuel, Duke of Aosta; Victor, Count of Turin; and Louis, Duke of the Abruzzi. The Duke of the Abruzzi now commands Italy'* fleet in the Adriatic. Tho Count of Salemi is the only son of Princess Letitia. He has been in disgrace for several years, though the real story is known to only th(v most intimate courtiers. "While at the Naval College ho committed eome youthful indiscretion, o" which even his cadets had' but a vague idea, and the King sent him into exile. For several years he wandered through Europe, spending months ih Russia, Portugal and Spain. _ Always shy and retiring, never knowing what to do with his great stature and. his hands, a splendid linguist, simple in manners, he becamo a favourite in Russian society. When tho war broke out he wanted to serve his'country. He begged the King to allow him to return. "Yes," came tho answer, "but you must s'erve as a simple soldier if you come bnck-to Italy." He came back ? and was drafted into the Cavalry Guides and sent to the front.' "VVhen the regiment returned for a few weeks went with it to the little town of Vogliera. its headquarters. He is now returning with it to fight, but this time the regiment fights on foot. The Duke of"" Salemi performs tho same dutie? as his humbler comrades, ana' has become so popular that their affection quite embarrasses him sometimes. For instance, when he was going l to visit'the headquarters of another regiment in Voghera they called out a guard of honour to receive him. "What's the meaning of ;,this?" shouted an officer who happened "'in. Tho Count murmured that he supposed it was for him. He asked Ms comrades never to do suoh a thing again. While at the front he distinguished himself bv coolness in handling a quickfiring gun. On one oooasion{ when the men arounc? him were hnrd pressed, he saved the situation by rallying them.