The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-21
EDWARD VII. s POWER AS KING

A question which IS IN the minds Of
many, and a subject Of no little discus
sion, IS as to what sort Of a king Queen
victoria's eldest son will prove 70 be.
While some are Of the opinion that he
will take an active part IN the direction
Of affairs Of The nation. there are Others
who insist that he viii show hinEelf a
"rol faineant." and viii leave everything
70 his ministers. And. II is added, that
ne will be the more inclined 10 adopt
this latter role owing TO the fact that
he has no taste or experience with regard
10 the affairs Of state. and that he ia,
moreover, reduced by the terms and
spirit Of the constitution to play the part
OF a mere igure-head. il being explained
that the influence and power exercised
by Queen Victoria was due TO her COM
manding and universally revered per-
sonality and her unrivaled experience
and knowledge Of statecraft
Now there can be no greater mistake
made than to ascribe any such inactive
part as this 10 Albert Edward. In the
first place, he has a far greater knowl-
edge Of foreign ana domestic politics than
ghe general public for one moment
Imagines. Ever since his return from
India more than a quarter OF a century
ago. the foreign office has by direction
Of Queen Victoria made a practice Of for
warding TO him at the same time as to
herself a copy Of each important dis
patch received from abroad and likewise
OF the replies sent thereto, thanks to
which he was enabled on at least three
memorable occasions to bring about un-
derstandings with foreign powers that the
most brilliant Of professional diplomats
had signally failed to accomplish. And
while, with a tact and a regard for the
spirit Of the constitution unparalleled on
the part OF any other prince Of Wales
IN English history. he has refrained from
giving the slightest indication OF his
preferences for one or another Of the
great political parties in Great Britain the
interest with which he has followed the
debates upon all important issues IA
parliament precludcs All idea that he
looks upon national affairs with indiffer-
enee
That he is debarred BY the terms OF
the constitution from taking as sovereign
any active part in the government OF the
empire. or is reduced to the position OF
a mere fgurshead. Is likewise an alto
gether mistaken assumption. For the
conduct Of the international relations Of
the British empire Is vested by the terms
Of the constitution, not in parliament, nor
yet IN the latter's executive-that IS 70
say. the cabinet-but IN the monarch II
T. the preroeative Of the sovereign. For
the constitution takes the ground that ut
Is impossible that the individuals OF the
state IN their collective capacity can
transact the affairs OF that state with
another community equally numerous as
themselves in the sovereign therefore.
as in center. an the rays OF the people
are united and form by that union OF
consistency that splendor and power that
makes the monarch respected By foreign
countries. What IS done by the SOW
ereign with regard to foreign affairs
''Ex-Attache' points out. Is therefore the
act Of the whole nation and Is therefore
binding upon the latter Whatever agree
ment, whatever treaties or conventions
the sovereign may make with foreign
state no other power IN the empire. not
even parliament can legally delay resist
or annul." True. the minister Of the
crown, who Is believed to have advised
the monarch wrongly can be irnpeached
By parliament But this Impeachment sn
no way affects the validity Of the agree
ment thus indirectly condemned bv mar
lament. or in any way annuls It. Legis-
lative sanction and ratification are there
fore not required IN England for treaties
or International arrangements concluded
by the sovereign, either directly or
through the foreign minister, and where
as the latter's colleagues In the cabinet
are responsible 70 parliament. he alone
according to the terms OF the British
constitution, is responsible solely 10 the
monarch and acts as the delegate OF the
latter This viii show. therefore. thai
the new ruler Of the British empire will
BY the terms OF the English constitution
assume sole and absolute control OF the
foreign policy Of the United Kingdom ana
that he Is thoroughly qualified by ex-