Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-25
QUEEN WILHELN[INA.
STORIES OF HOLLANDS YOUNG AND
POPULAR sovereign

She Says that She VIII Choose Her Own
Husband, and that No State Match
makers Need Apply-she Is Intensely
Loyal to Her Race.
When Queen Victoria inherited the
British throne she was scarcely more
popular than is the young Queen Of
Holland at the present moment. The
Dutch simply adore their young SOW
ereign, and take the most intense in
terest in her coming Of age (Which will
take place next August, and in her
possible marriage. Queen Wilhelmina
is credited by her people with much
force OF character. 1t Is thought that
| she will attempt to rule as well as
reign, and her choice of a husband is
| therefore n matter of utmost import
ance to the Dutch. The "Wochen Zei-
tung," Amsterdam, says on this sub
| ject:
THE many rumors OF the Queens
approaching marriage are premature.
More than once she has declared that
she would prefer to remain single as
long as possible. At any rate, it is cer-
tain that the Queen will choose for
herself. She will not be railroadod
into marriage. Only recently she said:
1 love my loyal subjects, and hope to
please them in every way But If
they believe that they have voice in
the choice of my husband, they are de-
cidedly mistaken. If extreme meas
ures should be resorted to against me,
l shall be more energetic than ever. l
will not be married at all if l am not
allowed to have q voice in the mat
ter"
So far the Dutch people are rather
pleased with these expressions of in
dependence. They are, however anx-
ious to have certain legal formalities
settled before the Queen comes of age.
The "Courant," Rotterdam, writes as
follows:
1T Will be necessary TO define the
position of the Queen before the law,
TO remove the conflict between the
Queens position as head of the state
and his wife, and 1t Is best that this
should be done before she has chosen
a husband. According to the civil
code the wife is bound to obey her hus-
band, and the latter has a right to de-
mand that his children should be
called by his name. More The hus-
band can compel his wife to reside in
whatever place he thinks fit to choose
as his abode. The Queen is not above
the law; she must obey it as well as
C11l1inntG nj Of
Consort would therefore clash with the
constitution, for the seat of govern
ment may not constitutionally be
transferred to foreign country. The
Queens exceptional position should
be defined by special legislation while
she is yet free"
Although there nre many points of
similarity between the position of the
Queen of England and that of the
Queen of Holland there has sprung ND
between the two countries an estrange-
ment since Wilhelmna inherited the
throne of Holland. For some unac-
countable reason the young Queen has
a violent aversion of everything Eng
lish. The British press returns this
bloilhe WIN Interest. her ngure Is
ungainly, her lips are bloodless," etc.
IRE things we read of her in Life"
md other English society papers.
These descriptions are reported to her
md do not assist her in overcoming
her dislike of Englshmen. The "Va-
derland" relates the following Incl
dent:
During recent tour abroad the
Queen expressed a wish to the Dutch
Ambassador accredited to u foreign
court to meet his daughters. | do so
wish to meet some Dutch girls she
said. L am just dying for some one
to speak to in my own language. Do
send your daughters to me-. But nv
daughters do not speak Hollandsh,'
replied the unfortunate nobleman. NY
girls were not born In Holland; they
only speak English Then, for heavens
sake, do not send them to me- replied
Queen Wilhelmina, wrathfully. Il will
have nothing to do with Dutch girls
who do not understand their own Ian
guager"