New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-09
KING OR PARLIAMENT :
m WHICH WILL THE ARMY GIVE AL
LEGIANCE?

the peopIe. which pays it? That is a problem
which British soldiers were called upon to de-
eide in the reign of Charles l.. when he found
himself in conflict with Parliament. and which
&c now once more becoming the all-absorbing
ouestion of the moment in every one OF the con-
st,tutional countries Of Europe; not alone in
monarchcal States. but even In those enjoying
republican form Of government. For in France 1t
&c asserted by the men most eminent in military
and civilian circles that in order TO maintain
tho army In proper state of efficiency. 1t Is i'm
nerative that its direction should be intrusted TO
some permanent official wholly Independent Of
the rise and fall Of parliamentary factions. and
IN this manner secure from disastrous interfer-
ence on the part Of any ephcmeral admnstra-
ton which either mere chance. or some ques-
tionabe political deal may have landed in Of
hce-an interference that may destroy in a few
weeks arrangements that have required years
OF time and millions Of money to perfect.
II this. then. is the sentiment in republican
France where the army is regarded alike by
authorities and people as the chief bulwark Of
the nation. to the maintenance Of which all the
resources and energy Of the country must be de-
voted il is yet far more so in the case OF those
States that still adhere to the monarchcal form
Of government. where the question is still fur
Their complicated by the increasing frequency Of
the constitutional conflicts between Crown and
Parliament In the logical sequence of things,
these disputes are bound to grow in Importance
and intensity. the people making demands for
more and moro of that power hitherto vested in
the Sovereign. which the latter is determined 10
retain at all costs. knowing full well that it in
wolves the very existence of his throne and dyn-
asty.
Let matters reach the clinaX-as they ult-
mately husband the mOnarchs will be forced
either TO step down and out. or to appeal to the
allegiance sworn by the soldiers TO defend the
throne against people and Parliament. The whole
issue Of the struggle will depend upon the man
ner In which the army responds to this appeal
Most Of the revolutions of the present century
have resulted from the failure OF the soldiers To
rally round their sovereign at such moments.
Such was the cause of the overthrow in 1865 Of
ex-Queen Isabella OF STain; of that Of Empress
Eugene when Regent OF France in 1870. and or
King Louis Philippe in ls4S. while 1t was solely
IL, loyalty OF the army to the monarch that en-
abled the rulers of Austria. Holland. Prussia
and other German states to save their crowns
from being engulfed by the great wave Of popu-
lar revolution that swept ov,r Europe in lSiS
or course the attitude Of the army In such
crises as these is Influenced to a great degree by
the nature Of the control 10 which they have up
TO that time been subject, II the officers and SOL
d.ers have been made TO feel that they are de-
pendent not only for their pay. but likewise for
their promotion and more or less agreeable as
signment Of duty. upon the representative OF
Parliament in the person OF the Minister of war;
then It Is probable that hey Will side with the
Legislature and people against the Crown But
in the event Of their having been accustomed
20 regard the throne the fountain Of honor
as the dispenser OF all rewards and favors and az
the autocratc controller Of their destinies for
good and for evil. then they are likely to adhere
to their allegiance TO the Sovereign and to fight
for him. If necessary. even against their own
kth and kin
This, then Is the true reason az the anxiety
Of the Crown in all monarchical countries of Eu
rope to retain the supreme command and drcc-
ton Of the army In its own hand and why the
people on the contrary. eager to transfer
the control to Parliament each realizing that Its
possession by its rival constitutes grave men,
ace to its own safety and future.
No one understood this fully than the
first Duke Of Wellington. who soldier in
every sense of the word. and who. neverthe-
less as Prime Minister on several occasions had
numerous opportunities Of making himself ac-
quaintcd with the civilian and political aspect
Of the question. He was never tired Of insisting
TO the Queen and the Prince Consort that the
command-in- chief should always be vested in the
matter how much Parliament might object; and
this is why there is prospect Of the Queen act
ing upon the recommendation Of the Parliament
airy Commission presided by the Duke Of
Devonsh!re at that time Lord Harrington.
which unanimously advised that the chief COM
mand Of the army should be intrusted 10 the
civil Secretary of State for War. who would
be assisted in his duties by military adlatus
IN the person Of general. who would bear some
such title chief II staff.
The Duke Of Wengfon's recommendations
were subsequently confirmed to the Queen
by the great Sir Robert Peel Lord Melbourne
and Lord Beaconsfield the three statesmen in
whose counsel Victoria has placed greater de-
gree Of confidence than in that Of any other
throughout her long reign. Realizing. however
that no matter how much she might wish TO
appoint her son. the Duke Of Connaugh to sue
coed her cousin the Duke Of Cambridge. as
generaiissimo. she could not do so without rails
ing howl Of popular Indignation we'll as
opposition alike by the present Cabinet and the
Parliamentary majority at its back. 1t has prac-
tically been decided that the Duke is to hold
on to office as long as he or the Queen lives. For
the moment Her Majesty dies and the Prince Of
Wales ascends the throne he would have consti-
tutional right as King. 10 claim for himself the
chief command Of the army just in the same way
that Emperor William holds that in Germany.
Car Nicholas in Russia, King IIumbert in Italy
and Emperor Francis Joseph in Austria. That
would obviate the necessity ~ carrying out any
such that recommended by the Hart
ington Commission and the army would remain |
under the immediate control Of the Crown the
King himself signing all commissions. passing |
upon all promotions ard remaining not only |
nguratvely bu; also actually the head of the
British Army.
The Prince Of Wales, although not soldier by |
profession. is his younger brother. the Duke |
Of Connaught, has received a military training. /
and is extremely Jealous Of his rank Of Field !
Marshal. and there is no danger Of his letting !
any one else get hold Of the commandership-in- |
chief OF the army when he ascends the throne. |