Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-22

ruiership of her vast empire, it was
necessary that she should relieve her
elf rs far as possible from the more
purely ornamental functions of the
monarchy which she could delegate to
her Children whereas she could not
cor fi,ie to any one else her administra-
tive duties. There was something
,ather pathetic ii, the old Queen thus
taking the people into her confidence
through the press in a royal and yet
thoroughly familiar explanation. such
as Il mother might give Ia her grown
M children. And x certainly served
to bring throne and people more close
~ in touch with one another.
Tke late Emperor Napoleon was
credited with not merely inspiring.
but actually with penning newspaper
al ticles. In order to give expression
to his views King Oscar of Sweden
has been n frequent contributor to the
press of his two Kingdoms, of course
under a pen name. No monarch in
Europe has turned the press to better
account. both in his royal and private
undertakings. than King Leopold.
The present Gar it may be remem-
bered, selected an English newspaper
man and a British newspaper in or
der to proclaim to the world his views
upon peace. disarmament and arbitra-
ton.
1t was because King George OF
Greece preferred the assurance of n
London journalist (now in Parliament)
to those Of the English envoy accredit-
ed to his court and turned deaf ear
q sJ,.;s L. t,,,xv
the foolish counsels of the former that
he embarked in the disastrous war
with Turkey. firmly convinced that
England would intervene, in behalf of
Greece in the event of the Turks being
victorious. This belief was of course
based on the promises of his English
newspaper friend. promises that could
under no circumstances have been
| fulfilled.
Pope Leo on several occasions has
made use of. the press to convey in the
form of a full fiedged interview mes
sages to the people of America. The
late King Alfonso of Spain never made
any secret of the fact that he was
largely indebted to the assistance of
the famous Paris correspondent of the
London Times for his restoration to
the throne, and l may point out that
the bitter economic war, which after
raging for more than decade be-
tween Italy and France. has recently
been brought to n close-an economic
strife that cost France millions, and
which reduced Italy to almost abso-
| lutte ruin-originated with a particu-
| larly savage attack in q Partisan news
paper upon the wife of Prime Minister
Crispi, whose career lent itself to
highly colored description. The one ar
ticle about Mime. Crispi in the Paris FL
caro- was reproduced in most of the
newspapers on the banks of the Seine
and, indeed, throughout France. and
Crispi, who, like a true Sicilian. never
forgave an injury, revenged himself
for the revelations concerning the an
tecedents Of his wife upon the entire
French nation, against which he In
augurated the economic war to which
have referred above.
No monarch. however. has shown a
warmer appreciation of newspaper
power and of newspaper men than
King Edward. There are quite num-
Der of the latter who can boast of per-
sonal acquaintance and are able to
show breast pins, sleeve links, and
lother trinkets which he has given. them