New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01


London congress. which IL it takes pace will
prove the most remarkable gathering that has
ever been organized-an assembly which can
not fail to exercise incalcuiable influence for
the good of mankind. and for the maintenance
Of peace during the forthcoming century.
A BIG FAMILY PARTY
II is a picturesque idel. this cong ess and we'll
worthy Of the sagacious and veneer role sover-
eign to whom belongs the merit of its pro-
posal. The rulers If the two greatest Powers
of Europe. namely. the Gar and the Kaiser,
are her grandsoas. the one by birth and the
other by marriage. and both OF them revere her.
not only as their grandmother. but likewise as
the dCyenne OF all the crowned heads Of the
world. The Emperor Of Austria is her cousin as
well as an old and tried friend. Indeed the bond
Of syn pathy between them rs l very strong one.
They address each other in 'du." thou
which in the German language indicates most
intimate friendship and relationship. and their
mutual regard has gone on steadily increasing
ever since F-arcs Joseph became. at the age Of
eighteen. Emperor OF Austria, just eleven years
after Queen Victoria had at identically the same
age assembled the throne Of Great Britain. King
Humbert and Queen Marguerite belong TO a
younger generation. and although cousins Ok
Victoria. invariably address the venerable lady
Aunt" their example in the matter being
followed by TIE Queen Regent OF Spain, King
Carlos Of Portugal as well as by King Leopold OF
Belgium, the two Queens Of Holland and King
Charles Of RUmania.
The congress in London will therefore par
take essentially OF a family gathering. the only
two persons present who are not related to the
Grandmother OF Europe being the Presidents OK
the United States and Of France. who. as IS well
known. are invariably addressed by European
sovereigns as my good friend" That they
would be treated not only good friends
but likewise with sovereign honors. similar in
every respect to those accorded to Gar and
Kaiser is demonstrated by the manner in which
Felix Faure was welcomed two years ago al
the Court Of st. Petersburg the ceremonial
followed on that occasion serving precedent
1t is hardly necessary to add that aside from the
official welcome which would be accorded by
British Court and Government as well as by
visiting sovereigns 20 the President Of the United
States he would enjoy the most enthusiastic
reception ever conceded in England to any
k;nsman from across the sfas.
The question will naturally arise as to why
congress Of the rulers Of the various nations
should be more productive Of beneficial results
than a conference IF their Ministers and Of the
statesmen subject to their orders. This 10 easy
TO explain Ministers rise and fall. their tenure
of Office being dependent either upon the ever
changing ard ephemeral majorities of Parlia-
nent OF else upon the equally caprcious per-
scnal favor Of the mOnarchs whose cloth they
wear It IS the sovereign alone who embocies
what may be described as the continuity OF the
policy u the nation. espe Tally with regard 70
its foreign relations. There IS no monarch IN
the w,rld who has more honoraby observed
the stipulations Of the national constitution
than Queen Victoria According 70 the constitu-
ton. the conduct Of the external policy OK the
nation should be vested in the hands OF that
member of the Cabinet who IS responsible 10
Parliament for the same Yet every one knows
that il is Queen Victoria who has herself been
the principal Foreign Minister Of the British
Empire throughout her reign, and VINO mas
maintained 4 strong hold on the affairs OF the
nation, thanks to which circumstance alone war
was averted between England and the United
States at the time Of the Trent controversy IN
1861. In the same way it is Emperor william
who virtually directs the foreign policy OF Ger
many. while the Counts Muravieff and Golu-
chowsh ere more the clerks than the MINIS
ters Of the Car and the Emperor Of Austria re
spectively President Faure contributed more u
bring about the alliance between his country
and Russia than any other French statesman.
while every one in this country is aware OF
the mastery role played by President MckineI
in the management Of the foreign relations OF
the United states throughout the year whcA
has lust been brought to so glorious a close for
America.
This In itself serves to show how much more
important il is hat the rulers themselves should
meet rather than their Ministers Or dcle'
gates. 4 thorough understanding between tbs