Miguel's mother-in-law may have to pay his loans

March 5, 1910

Prince Miguel de Braganza is being sued in a Viennese court by two savings banks. He borrowed 500,000 crowns ($125,000) each from the Kolin Savings bank of Bohemia and the Hohenmauth Savings bank. His father, the Duke of Braganza, and his aunt, Archduchess Maria Theresa were listed as security for the first loan, and Prince Alexander of Thurn und Taxis was security for the second bank. Prince Miguel used the second loan to pay the first loan, and Prince Alexander wants to shift his obligation upon the Duke of Braganza and Archduchess Maria Theresa.

However, Miguel's father and his aunt "have no intention of paying his debts," and they want Miguel's mother-in-law, Mrs. J.H. Smith to pay them. Prince Miguel and his American wife, Anita, will remain exiled from the Austrian court due to his financial problems. Mrs. Smnith can "restore her daughter to favor" only if she pays Miguel's debts.

Mrs. Smith has already paid between $600,000-$700,000, and she understood that the amount covered all of Miguel's debts. She now "finds herself pressed by his usurers for enormous sums," and she is refusing to pay.

The two archduchesses who were listed as having attended the wedding last fall in Scotland did not attend, after learning that Mrs. Smith was not a widow, but a divorcee when she married James Henry Smith.