Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-15
ACTIVE QUEENS.
Some Who Have Made No End
of Trouble.
Kin doms in Which They Have Sad
Iy Mixed Matters.
The Popularity of Those Who Hold
AIoof From Politics.

X
Queens should abstain from endeav-
oring to play any political role save
in those cases where they reign in their
own right. like Queen Wilhelmina,, Of
Holland and the late 2fieen Victoria,
or else when they occupy the position Of
regent. as for Instance, Christina of
SPAIN, For, a.,ruere sQueen Consort to
interfere in the affairs of state is cal
culated to embarrass both her husband
and his ministers. For If she takes
open sides with them they are charged
with being unduly subject to her in
fluence, whereas if she allies herself
with the opposition she naturally pro-
notes the resistance OF the latter to the
government. while, under any. circum-
stance she renders herself an object of
suspicion and i'll will to the people The
two most popular ladies of sovereign
rank in the Old World at the present
moment are undoubtedly Queen Alex
andra Of England and Empress Au-
gusta Victoria Of Germany, who have
each Of them held to such an extent
aloof from politics throughout their
married lives that the subjects of
their husbands; are altogether in. the
dark as to their political preferences.
and look upon them as two kindly and
gracious ladies, whose, sphere OF activ-
ity Is restricted to works of charity,
to matters pertaining to their do
nestle relations, and to the exercise of
a wholesome. refining and purifying
influence upon the court and upon the
society Of the nation over which their
husbands rule. No one dreams of
holding them responsible for any mis-
take. or for any Objectionable measure
originated by the sovereign or by his
ministers.
Neither the late Empress Frederick,
nor yet her mother-in-law. old Empress
Augusta, was ever popular in Ger
many. and both were repeatedly de-
nounced by the late Prince Bismarck,
when Chancellor. for Identifying them
eelves with the opposition to his gov
eminent. They dfsapproved of his
policy. made no concealment of the
fact. and took sides with his ad-
yersaries against him. Bismarck's
correspondence and memoirs are fun
Of bitter, and by no means unfounded,
charges brought against them in this
connection, and there is no doubt that
his ultimate downfall was largely
brought about by Empress Frederick.
To this day Empress Eugene is held
accountable for most of the mistakes
frade by the second French Empire,
eliminating in the disastrous war of
1870, which she at its outset described
as ma guerre.' 1t is she who is
blamed by the French for the loss OF
Alsace and Lorraine, for the unfortu-
nate Mexican campaign and for the
arrangement Of ITALY, which but for
her would have sided with France in
the war against Germany. Her be-
reavements, her misfortunes. and also
Father Time have combined to dimin-
tsh the bitterness Of the French people
toward her. But 20 years ago there
was no name that was q subject of
greater execration in France than
that of Empress Eugene.
Undeterred by these lessons there are
at the present moment three Queens
who are imperiling the thrones of their
husbands and. embarrassing the gov
ernments Of their adopted countries by
ill-judged interference in the affairs OF
state and by their endeavors TO play
political role. The most notable OF
the three cases, and the one that Is
likely to lead to the greatest amount OF
foreign complications, Is that of the
young Queen OF Italy. who within the
last sis months has blossomed forth in
an altogether new light. People have
been 50 accustomed to regarding her as
having no interests beyond those OF her
family circle. as caring nothing LOT
politics or society, and as dividing all
her time ketween her baby and shoot
ing, driving and sailing expeditions
with her. has band. that il will possibly
create some surprise among the readers
OF The Dispatch to learn that she IS
now the recognized head of a very in
auential political party in Italy which
soes tyy the name of the "Caprarr'
{gcat herdsD, while she herself is nick
named .Capraia" goat herdess). the
term used being not one of affection OF
regard. but rather of disdain. the eX-
PLANTATION being that the raising OF
goats constitutes the staple Industry OF
Montenegro, the native land of young
Queen Elena.
It mist not be forgotten that Queen
Helen Of Italy is not only of Slav birth
hut v<sas. likewise reared in the Sl1v
that is the Orthodox Greek faith. and
vas hrhilgft up altogether at st
Petersburg as Russian Princess a.
.he expense and under the care of thf
widowed Czarina, whose son, tins
present Emperor, lowered her wher
she married the present King of Italy
She is, therefore. thoroughly Musco
yite in her sympathies. added to which
che is devoted to Montenegro. the fant
Of her birth, and to her father. its ruler
and Russia's most devoted and enerr
yat,c deppendent and agent in thu