Mr. Lawton to Mr. Bayard.
Vienna, February 1, 1889. (Received February 18.)
Sir: On the 30th ultimo (January) it became my duty to announce to the Department the sudden death of the Grown Prince of Austria-Hungary by a cable dispatch as follows:
Crown Prince of Austria died suddenly early this morning in bed.
As soon as the rumors regarding this important event reached this legation—about 2 o’clock p.m. of that day—I made a personal call, accompanied by the secretary of legation, at the ministry of foreign affairs. At a very early hour in the morning of the 31st of January, I received the response of the Secretary, of State as follows:
Express through appropriate channel the deep sorrow of the President and people of the United States by reason of the great bereavement suffered by His Majesty and the people of Austria-Hungary in the death of the Crown Prince.
Bayard.
This message of condolence, accompaned by a note from this legation, I handed personally to the ministry of foreign affairs at the earliest hour practicable. The message and visit were received with evident emotion and grateful recognition, both as to the tone and promptness by which they were characterized.
As the deceased Crown Prince was the only son of the Emperor, and the former left no son, the succession devolves upon Archduke Carl Ludwig, the brother of the present Emperor, and only one year or two younger, and then upon his sons.
I am, etc.,