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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 1908)
1 THE' OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, SUNDAY HORNING, ' NOVEMBER 22,' 1903 i . 'jr v " -ry . ;,?.:,:: - :. t i a r : t i X-r . " X" f MIC f ! 1 i :' t( 1 fuj jL , V".t - - . C? I I III till tit, JT ff J Jf tm. I JSP" '"'. f i , II I m V I ' w s jl I PW ,J 1 -a(SSSSS1If If fJ7 fff t I , :: 'Hi WMMC ' ' ;i5i'M The Sturdy Princesses of the House of Montenegro T UROPE has new subjects for its ad ri miration, and, during the last few " weeks, has been giving that admira tion full swing; continental fancy has been greatly taken with "the fighting princesses of Montenegro." Not that Europe admires the purposes and policies of the "fighting princesses" firebrands are always dangerous about a pow der magazine but it has been immensely tickled by their spirit and pluck. - When Balkan war clouds began gather ing so ominously some time ago, Europe kept anxious eyes on the troubled zone. No one, however, expected menacing lightning flashes from little Montenegro, tucked away in the mountain fastnesses betwecji Turkey and Bosnia. Yet some exceedingly dangerous flashes blazed in the darkened sky above that moun tain land, startling grave and fearful states men in every European capital. They were bolts hurled from the dainty hands of two handsome daughters of the ruling house of Montenegro Princess Xenia, 2J years old, and Princess Vera, 21 years old. How they put Europe on edge for a while happened in this wise; ONE day when It seemed that the slightest spark might set the continent aflame with war. dli- X. turoing aispaicnes went naininc uui iruin Cettinjo. the capital of Montenegro. "A remarkable demonstration is going on here." the humming wires related to the world. "The. women of Cettlnje, more patriotic even than their fathers, husbands or brothers, are marching in long processslon through the streets to show their hatred of Austria and their rage that Austria has annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina." . As a general thing, Europe regards a political dis turbance In such an Insignificant country as a mere tempest In a teapot and pays little attention to It But it was different thla time. Servla's rage against Austria was Inflamed almost to the point of boiling over without restraint; there seemed but one possible outcome of the nearly unan imous clamor for war: that Servian troops must aoon be pouring over the Austrian border. The people simply would not listen lo the advice of the few cooler heads. ' Once Servla and Austria came Into bloody conflict other Balkan states would spring to arms, and from that powder magazine the flames of war would sweep over Europe with cyclonic fury. Any egging on of Servla was dangerous in the extreme, and so this remarkable demonstration of wuiucii' n Kirm uvcis m wvtimjB at ynce attracted general attention. Who was responsible for It; who organised and led the movement? ' Promptly the Information came that Europe owed its scare to the Princesses Xenia and Vera, unmarried daughters of Nicholas, the reigning prince. "These two young women," explanatory, dispatches stated, "observing that the streets were filled with excited crowds, mostly women, hastened from the palace, and, waving Montenegrin flags, placed them selves at the head of a host, of women, who hailed heir appearance with the greatest enthusiasm. "In the throng were, women of all classes, from peasants to noblewomen, but none, of course, in rank equal to the princesses. All seemed aflame with love of country and hatred toward those they regarded as the foes of their Servian kinsmen. SANG WAR SONGS "Following the princesses, their humbler sisters marched through the streets, now singing war songs" halting from time to time to urge the men who filled the streets to defend the nation's sacred right; again rending the air with shrill shouts: To war with 'Austria'; 'Better die than be the Austrian tyrants slaves'; 'Men, if you love us, fight for us and your homes.' "After tumultuous scenes. In which the war ferer rose to the highest pitch, the two princesses appointed a committee to enlist Red Cross nurses for the 'in evitable conflict.' " i . ' Despite, its apprehension. Europe was Immensely tickled by theimartial. spirit of the two princesses, and promptly dubbed them 'The Fighting Princesses of Montenegro." 1 - Tt -4hA - AtfliHn, Ihirti rit fi the blood of these two high-born agitators. Monte negro, In sise considerably smaller than Connecticut -It has an area of 1(30 square miles and with m total soulatloa about equaling that of Minneapolis g 1 II J I wwc. rTk fTKTTJ fTVT COM . v - vf t I : V - - - "11 , J yn I '' : , ' - Jj is the home of a brave arid martial people, most of them hardy mountaineers. Nearly all of the country is rugged and mountainous. Small as the land is, its people waged war with Turkey over 400 years, in 1389 they refused to continue under Turkish rule, and so lMig and sturdy was" their battle for freedom that complete independ ence was accorded, them by, the powers of Europe in 1878. & A remarkable record has the reigning house of Montenegro. Prince Nicholas Is father-lp-law to al most as much of Europeas was the late King Chris tian of Denmark. Not only have all his daughters been remarkable specimens of femininity, but his daughters-in-law as well. Almost without exception the daughters and daughters-in-law are strikingly handsome women; are splendid specimens of physical perfection, are athletic, daring and, withal, highly accomplished. One of the daughters, Helene. Is now the queen of Italy. She met the then Crown Prince Victor Emanuel of Italy when the latter was in Montenegro on a hunting trip about a dozen years ago. Victor Emanuel was the guest of Prince Nicholas and had been promised some fine hunting, although he was warned that the mountainous character of the country made the chase exceedingly arduous. fi Mi W M' MARCEL, originator of the Marcel wave, which has been so popular with 0 womankind for several years, was "fired" after securing his first position, lie lost his job immediately after doing up his first coiffure. The woman over whom he worked was so indignant that she tore down her hair in the ( establishment where the young hairdresser was employed and rearrangl it herself, whereat the apologetic proprietor summarily dis'missed Marcel. Recently M. Marcel visited Englan l and for the first time told how' he discovered the Marcel wave, Ten years ago the master retired from business, after accumulating a fortune of over EOO,000. AT A BANQUET tendered the foremost hair dresser pf the world, in London, he was hailed as "the greatest benefactor of women." M. Marcel is now old, yet merry and cheery, and he feels proud that women In five continents dress their hair after the manner originated by him. His is a fame unique In history. What woman Is there who does not bless his name? , When he first began to marcel, the hairdresser received two francs., or about 40 cents, from a cus tomer. After his wave became famous he made 'as much as $200 at one sitting. For" years he averaged fifteen patrons a day, some of them bringing him as much as 1100. M. Marcel retired to a home in Nor mandy ten years ago, wealthy and famous. Thirty-six years ago M. Marcel observed the pecu ' liar curl of the hair at the side of his mother's head. These were regular waves of unusual beauty. One day the young hairdresser "wondered whether he could not curl the hair irthe same manner over her entire head. So he got a curling iron and "began ex perimenting. -He studied the roll of the undulations, and by degrees mastered the curl. He did It by a peculiar twist of the wrist. . M. Marcel loved to wave hair. He loved his new wave. He began to experiment on his customers. They were .delighted, and their delight grew. How ever, M. Marcel waved only for women with soft, supple hair. One day a woman whose hair was st lit" shd coarse suggesteqVthat ha try the new curl on her. M. Marcel demurred. - - "Go ahead, work away." she said. Til pay you for your extra time." S ' ' And M. Marcel worked, "' The lady emerged a hew On the morning of the first huntlntr trio the Italian' found, to his astonishment, that not only was he- to be accompanied by Nicholas and his two elder sons, but by the beautiful Princess Helene. Not only did the royal Diana accompany the party on its most difficult expeditions, but managed ta bring down more game than Victor EmanueL She was a veritable child of the mountains, sturdy; of limb, fleet of foot and keen of eye, and as good hunter as could be nrodurerl in MnnunAvrn The crown prince, upon better acquaintance, learned more about the dashing young woman. Ha found that she was of gentle, affectionate nature,' highly accomplished, a painter of talent and a mail clan of more than ordinary ability. So then and there he determined she should share; witn mm the crown of Italy, which she now oes. ' Court etiquette never hampered the young livesj of the Montenegrin princesses to any extent. Until their sixteenth year they were permitted to run wild, virtually spending most of their time outdoors, hard enlng their constitutions by sports and the chase sleighing, skating, making long journeys on snow shoes In the winter, driving, riding hra bareback, hunting, shooting, swimming, sailing a:n2 mountain climbing in the summer. During these years their education was 'ookeil after by French and German governesses. With tho seven tcenth year came a polishing course in Paris or Vlenaa, so that the finished product was a young woman whose natural beauty had been enhanced by a splendid physique and the attractiveness of many accomplish-' ments. One' of the daushters., Mlllrm marrM tA i j Duke Peter Nicholevltch, of Russia, a cousin of the czar. Another, - Anastasia, married Prince George Itomanowsky, duke of Leuchtenburg, a widower eight een years her senior, who fell violently in love at first BlKht at the wprl.llno- nf Ml!i- !.,. " C - - - -.. E ,1 V. A similar romance attended the wedding of Helena and the crown prince of Italy, at which tha younger -sister, Anna, captivated Prince Francis Joseph ot Battenberg, becoming his bride within six months. The eldest daughter of the family. Princess Zorka, married Prince Peter Karageorgevitch, now King; Peter I of Servla, but died before her husband cam to a throne. Many times has the engagement of the handsome and charming Princess Xenia she who led the recent parade of the women of Cettlnje been rumored, but her heart is still her own, it seems. Once she was betrothed. In tho usual state fashlen ' to King Alexander of Servla. that malodorous mon arch who was murdered some years ago In his palace.! toerether with hi iitrMi.nn,iin n,.ff. ! Accompanied by a suitable escort, Xenia journeyed to Belgrade to meet her future royal husband, 6h was then 18 years old. i 1Lfn 1 . . . . . iuuoi. ichisii in iviicarincg ma wen as in Ills habits was- Alexander. He was the Incarnation ot degeneracy, and not far removed from Idiocy. When the beautiful young princess saw him foB the first time she fled from the room In terror and dismay, and no threats or Influence could win her consenc to me union. THREATENED SUICIDE 1 woman, and her delight was great. Other women flocked to M. Marcel's establishment. The lady's wave lasted five weeks. At the end of that time M. Marcel was charging live francs to dress a woman's hair. Then began the Marcel rage. The dresser's estab lishment warf thronged. Women began to bid with one another for precedence, and the fees went up to $20. One lady living in London seat for the master and paid-htnvt200 for a single treatments- Then the world hailed the marcel wave, and all great beauties, leaders of society, stars of the stage, cultivated it. - M. Marcel ' contends that no woman can dress-her own hair. "It is useless for her to try," he says. But, -however discouraging this remark may seem, M. Mar-, eel is an optimist. He said: "No woman must despair. No. woman must think her hair irremediably ugly. I, have made a common possession the wavy hair that only a few women had from nature. t . "The wave comes from the movement of the wrist. I could not quite teach it In writing. The Instrument ,' T use Is very simple; and the only variation on my first Invention Is an Improvement of lbs points, to prevent the snapping of the hair, . . ' ' "I have said no woman can wave her own hair satisfactorily. he must go to a competent dresser; and it is certain that even he has spent a year in acquiring the art. It can't be learned in less. "The wares should remain for two or three weeks, and the woman herself can renew the waves daily. Englishwomen have the best bair for waving. It Is always so welf kept, so clean and shining. Bright hair shows the waves best, too, fer it glitters in every light. Oark hair cannot reflect light, and therefore the waves lose much effect." At the celebration in London several pairs of Irons used bv M. Marcel for a public demonstration were sold at" auction, one pair bringing nearly $35. Speak, tng of his discovery, the famous man 'naively rs- ma"The" secret T Simply a knack in the turn of th wrist , and a series of movements of the irons that ; mk the. 'wave' lasttnc I realised at one that I ' wasji benefactor to all womankind. Only a very few. Rather than become the mate of such a disgusting specimen of humanity she would kill herself, she) declared, and those about her knew that she would do so. Later it was reported that she was to marry th grand duke of Hesse, but as the ceremony has not come off yet perhaps she again' exercised that womanly prerogative which she seems to hold higher than the demands of state. Only last spring the court and people ot Montene gro wera considerably exercised because of the Prin cess -venva s extravagance in tne matter or purchasing costly gems. For some years she had been known as the "queen of hearts." which designation was changed to "queen of diamonds." Her love for the gems is said to have become an absorbing passion, and her aim in life to be the pos sessor of one of the finest collections of diamonds in u i v. , . . n t -1 m lia, lit I , Bill., 1,1 II O I gratified her tastes, often, his subjects charge, at the expense of an already overburdened tax levy. If there have been suitors for the hand of her younger sister. Vera, their lovemaking, so far as 1. n ham In a I n Vm - . V 1 . - nil..,, 11, lino u u i . i, i an- i iri n .iiu irii i. dt.tti, JIDi ' lectiy nappy in tneir mountain principality tne monotony of life at Cettlnje being broken by occa sional trips to Paris and Rome and are evidently In no hurry to assume the responsibilities of matrimony. While Princo Nicholas has been rearlna sturrf daughters to be the pride ot his old age and the admiration of Europe, his sons have been bringing home wives as handsome and ss energetic. Princess Danilo. wife of the crown prince, one of the most accomplished women of her day. Is asserted to be the champion woman wrestler of Europe out side of professional circles, of course , When she married Prince Danilo both fell far short of the usual sturdlness of physique that had lontf marked the royal house of Montenegro. The youn princess set about to overcome this physical diss J- "she learned wrestling In all Its phases, and. enthus ing her husband, taught him. They give wrestUn.? exhibitions In the palace one evening a week, an 1 few have been found able to stand before them, la addition, th princess Is a fearless huntress.. - A skilful and Intrepid sportswoman and keen lovr Of an open-air life Is th handsom Princess Natl...' . wife of Prlnc Mlrko. Their honeymoon trip was a camping-out - tlon among th hill of Montenegro. Carrying a t and a camera, th fair young bride spent - weeks wandering through tb mountains. rew..; a rough camp at night, subsisting largely up t v.r.tim nf the rhase and shooting game lr th r. est sections. In order to protect them ami wojmen ar fortunate enough to possess naturally i,rnas of th fastnesses, a tr. 1 of': cuifly hair. Those who have straight locks ar now n"c, mountaineers accompanied them. xhfalZ;!! I'"" . Jii "oJe ?ynMontenegr toasts of in., 1 fortunate, sfster. -and every woman is grateful to in In consequence." . . i . ..j la Us royal bouse.
