Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-21

Copyrighted. 1901, by The Associated Press.
London, Eng, Feb. 16.-"Our grand
mother is dead. Comfort my mother
Wilhelm" This is the telegram EN-
peror William sent the empress few
minutes after Queen Viotoria's death.
1t explains better than could columns
OF German and English editorials the
feelings which exist among the reigning
families of those countries. This close
tie roay shortly bring about another
deathbed n Getting of King Edward and
his imperial nephew. English court
rumor gives Empress Frederick but
short lease of life, and King Edward
will no more allow his new duties to
Interfere with his desire to be at her
bedside than did Emperor William con-
slider the Berlin celebrations when he
went in haste to Osborne. Thus, once
more, the two rulers who are riyeting
the attention of the world may be
brought together under circumstances
in which human emotions have the
strongest play. That meeting apart
from its sadedomsstio cause, is bound
to have an important moral effect, both
in Great Britain and Germany and tho
rest OF the world. The feeling OF Ger
many on the subject OF Emperor Will
Hams pro- English tendencies known
throughout the world, thanks to the
antagonistic comments of portions OF
its press-fnds its counterpart in Eng
land, though it is not SO fully de-
veloped or freely expressed. Now that
the emperor has gone, many people are
asking: Is the king going to follow
Emperor Williams example and be an
emperor in the true sense of the word?"
The recent kingly functions with all
the outward signe of power have made
Great Britain realize, for the first
time in many years, that it is still
country under a monarchy. Indeed,
several papers are urging the king to
exert pressure on the ministers to
eradicate the abuses in the army and
push the war in South Africa. Many
persons are seriously bordering on
whether King Edward is going to rule
or reign. There is all confidence in his
tact and common sense. But the sud
den restoration of monarcbical splendor
and power, and the keen sympathy
between the German emperor and King
Edward, make many loyal subjects
anxious about the future.
The tirst sign OF this Is the suggestion
OF an increase OF the kings income.
Mr.. Henry Lat ouohere and many others
have no hesitation in openly opposing
it. Reference Is frequently made to
the small Incomes of the Presidents of
the United St9tes and France. There
is little doubt that Parliament will
grant larger supplies, but this action
will not serve to reconcile the country
10 its new conditions. 1.-THE English
people, y bluntly says this weeks
Today, would not tolerate king who
sought to rule las well as reign.'' 10
those who have only read the kings
utterances, and have not seen the recent
functions, the cause for any such re-
mark is hidden. The functions attend
ing the new reign have been so spec
tacular that the quaint rights of the
people, handed down from common
wealth times, escape notice.
Before the members OF the House OF
Commons were called to the House of
Lords, Thursday, the clerk of the House
mumbled-a bill for the better prevent
ing Of certain clandestne outlawries.
This bill was invariably read for hun
dreds Of years before kings speech
was heard, in order to assert the right
of both houses to transact business
without reference to any authority but
its own organization.
= uo COurb 10 Whluutu Win k6bD Iub6F
est. No one desires the king to forget
old favorites, yet there is clearly ex-
pressed wish that some Of these be not
rewarded with official positions. The
appointment of Sir Francis Knollys
twho was secretary to the king while
the latter was Prince of Walesl to be
secretary OF his majesty, meets with
universal approval aud is taken as a
good omen, Sir Francis is the son of
the kings former tutor. They were
playfellows together.
Sandringham is likely to he to the
king and queen what Osborne was to
Queen Victoria. Barracks will shortly
be erected at this royal residence, so long
connected with the name of the prince
of Wales, where household troops will
be accommodated. Osborne, however,
will not be neglected, for the king in
tends to make it his headquar ters when
gratifying his keen taste for yachting.