New-York tribune., 1902-03-09
SAILORS OF ROYAL BLOOD
PRINCES OF REIGNING FAMILIES WHO
HAVE ADOPTED THE SEA AS a
PROFESSION ARE ESPECIALLY
POPULAR.

From time immemorial those who "go down 10
the sea in ships have always commanded to a
very marked extent the goodwill and the interest
OF the public We are disposed TO ascribe to them
IN an exceptional degree all those qualities that
appeal 10 the alton, such daring Calnness
in the face of danger fertility OF resource frank
honesty and manness in the best sense of the
word We likewise know that the distant clines
which they have visited the countries which they,
have seen and the acquantances that they have
made In various parts OF the world have tended to
endow them with a breadth OF view to which peo-
pie who have not enjoyed these advantages can
make no pretension. Then too. realize that
In the long night watches at they have an
amount OF time for sober thought and meditation
such as does not fall to the share of those who
make their home on land-especially in the United
States. And finally there is a sort OF undehnable
flavor of romance about the seafaring profession
which. coupled with the freedom from afectation
and conventional cant for which its members
distinguished. contribute to render those princes
OF the blood who become sailors the most popular
scions OF the reigning houses which they be-
long.
Prince Henry Of Prussia. who sails this week
for Europe on the completion OF his memorable
visit TO the United States where he leaves none
but friends. is case in point. Wholesome in ap-
pearance he is healthy in mind, modest, unas-
Stunning and clean lived. he occupies particularly
warm spot in the hearts of his countrymen and is
the Hohenzollern for whom they entertain the
largest amount of sympathy. regard and affection
This is due in part to his personal qualities but
largely also to the popularity of the profession
which he has adopted-a popularity which leads
nowadays almost every ruler in Europe TO send to
sea one more of the members of his dynasty
with the object of increasing the hold OF latter
upon the goodwill and loyalty of the people.
The list Of royal sailors is interesting one
For in almost every instance they have shown
themselves men of more character and more viril-
itv than the other princes of their house. Thus
Queen Marguerte's brother Thomas. Duke of
Genoa who was educated at the famous English
college of Harrow before entering the Italian navy
Of which he is now the ranking officer, has carried
the flag OF his country to the uttermost parts OF
the earth and has done more than any of his
fellow citizens 10 make the of the new king
dom of United Italy both known and respected
abroad. 1t was Duke Thomas who established
such friendly relations between Italy and Japan
relations that are destined to play a greater role
In the course of political events in the Far East
than in times past. He has been largely instru-
mental, too. in keeping alive the loyalty to the
mother country of the immense Italian population
in the Argentine Republic. where the Italian vote
is becoming the predominant factor In the political
situation. and 1t was the Duke of Genoa again who
was sent by his cousin. King Victor Emmanuel
to Toulon last year to meet President Loubet and
to seal with him the reconciliation between those
oldtime allies. France and Italy. The Duke ot
Genoa is such a typical sailor and conveys such
an impression OF honesty, sincerity and OF being
incapable OF anything underhanded or mean that
he Is an ideal man for such missions OF friendship
ltays other sailor prince. the Duke of the Abruzz
has achieved so much fame Arctic explorer
that 1t is needless to make more than passing ref
erence here to his name. He the first to make
the ascent Of Mount St. Elias in this country
which until he achieved that feat was considered
inaccessible. while II the Italian flag flies to-day at
a point nearer the North Pole than that of any
other nation 1t is because this young Duke planted
1t there. He enjoys the singular distinction of be-
ing not only a Prince of the reigning house OF
Italy. but likewise Spanish Infant For he was
born in Madrid only few days before his father
the late Amadeus Duke of Aosta abdicated the
crown of Spain in disgust and shook the dust of
the country from off his feet.
The sailor members of the reigning house of
Russia have each of them made their mark Grand
Duke Alexander Mchaelowitch. married to the
eldest sister OF the Gar just completed
the translation of the whole of Captain Mahan's
works into Russian. He came to this country at
the time OF the Columbian celebration nine years
ago and took an active share in the festivities or
ganlzed In connection with the quadri-centennial
celebration of the discovery of the New World
he has the reputation of being OF the most
progressive and lberal-minded officers OF the Rus
sian navy and those who have the interests of the
Muscovtte Empire at heart hope for much from his
close intimacy with his brother-in-law the Gar
Grand Duke Alexis. the brother of the late EN-
peror. Is the Lord High Admiral of the Cars
navy and by his visit 10 the United States in the
early seventies did much to cement the friendship
that has since bound the great North American
home and abroad and the fact that he has been
the hero of several sensational romances has nor
IN any way served to diminish the sympathetic in
terest with which he is everywhere regarded
Inc Grand Duke Constantine Nicolawitch his