New-York tribune., 1901-07-28

eighth Lord Fairfax, his sreat-great- -Srandfath
e. it naturally follows that he is the twelfth
Lord Fairfax Of Cameron, and he VIII remain 50
irrespective Of whether he assumes the title of
his ancestors OF. with the good sense which
characterized his father his uncle and his
greats grandfather before him, prefers TO be
known as plain Mr. Fairfax-a style more in
ke-ping with the institutions Of the common
wealth of which he is a citizen than would be
az nobary handle to his name.
THE ONLY REQUIREMENT.
There is no need whatsoever for him to .aban-
6.1 his American nationality and become
subject Of King Edward in order 70 hold the
Fairfax barony. He would be required only TO
take cut letters Of British naturalization in the
e.. nj Of his wishing to take his place among
the Scotch peers when they meet at Holyrood, in
Edinburgh. on The election Of each new Parla-
1r-rt in order TO choose the sixteen delegates by
which their order is represented in the Hous"
of Lords at Westminster Albert Fairfax could
not take part in this election at the royal palace
f Holyrood until his name had been duly en-
rolled as a Scotch peer. entitled to vote as such.
l.y the Clerk of the Grown in Scotland. who can
not enroll him unless he can show that ne IS
British subject either by birth or by naturaliza-
ton ard ready TO swear 10 give his exclusive
allegiance King Edward
This Is the only stipulation which the clerk
Of the Crown in Scotland would have authority
20 make and il would not be within his province
10 question the ancestry of the young peer. If
any one contests that and denies the right Of
Lord Fairfax to inherit the barony of his family
the opponent must present petition 10 the Com
Inittee of Privileges Of the House OF Lords at
Westminster, which he only do if he himself
is q claimant the title
Nothing that young Fairfax may do can de-
prive him Of his peerage. Neither crown nor
government courts Of law have the power
10 rob him Of his birthright. That is absolutely
secure from all Interference on the part Of the
executive, and the young Wall Street clerk could
peTpetrate any crime in the calendar without
forfeiting his title Of Lord Fairfax. In the case
Of British peers who are likewise British citi-
zens their titles and hereditary h0nors may be
come forfeited by a legislative Of attainder
in the event Of their being guilty Of high trea-
son But the crime Of high treason implies cit-
zenship, since it is the infraction Of ones obga-
tons Of allegiance TO the government Of the
country 10 which one belongs. and Lord Fair
fax was born American citizen and retains
lis American nationality he is under no oblga-
lions 10 the British Crown, and ipso facto can
not as such ever be charged with that crime Of
high treason which alone would involve the for
fe.ture Of his title.
WOULD NOT LOSE IT THROUGH WAR.
Even if q war were to break out between this
country and Great Britain, and Lord Fairfax
should take service IN the United States army.
h. would not endanger his title or run any risk
Of being deprived Of his barony
IN fact the eighth Lord Fairfax-the one who
had his ri@ht to the title confirmed by the House
II Lords IL 1S00-was known at thS time by
that chamber to have been not only most in
Innate friend Of George Washington but like
wise 10 have helped the American cause against
the English with repeated gifts Of money and
supplies during the War Of Independence.
Young Lord Fairfax is by no means the only
British peer who is the citizen Of foreign state
Among the most eminent Of these peers of Great
Britain who are not subjects Of King Edward is
the Viscount Taafe who is likewise Baron Of
Hallyrnote in the county Of Sligo Lord Taane !
is an Austrian citizen, member Of the Austrian !
House Of Peers, and his ancestors have been es-
tablished in Germany ever since the seventeenth
century when the fourth Viscount Taafe, of the |
peerage of Ireland, took service under Emperor
Ferdinand Of Germany. first page OF honor.