Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-13
Royal Father Will Settle the Matter on His
Return from Easter Holiday,
WILL COME IN HIS PRIVATE CAPACITY
Idea is to Dispense as Far as Possible with
FOrmalities of Royal Ettiqust.
CANNOT STAND PRINCE HENRTS GAIT
General Bigge, His Private Secretary,
Will Have Charge of All Ar
FanEements During the
Princes Tour.

Copyright, 1902, by Press Publishing Co0
LONDON, April 12.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram. although a
decision on the New York Chamber Of
Commerce invitation TO the prince of Wales
to attend the dedication of it's new home
awaits King Edwards return from his Eas-
ter holiday cruise, II evidently Is believed
IN court circles that the probabilities in
! cline toward Its acceptance. Already those
persons who are directly interested in It
are eagerly discussing the probable arrange
ments for the visit.
In such cases the prince places himself
absolutely at the disposal of the king, who
Is guided in his decision by considerations
of public policy.
The possibility Of the princess of Wales
| accompanying her husband is left out of
| the account.
| 1t is thought likely that the king will be
largely influenced in deciding by the advice
Of leading Americans in London society. 1t
is considered certain that Mrs. Arthur e.
| Paget daughter of Paran Stevens of New
| York;, will be consulted, as well as Secre-
| tary White of the United States embassy, in
his private capacity. Mr. White has been
persona grata with King Edward for many
years.
Prince Sticks to AristOcrats.
The prince Of Wales has no intimate
| friends in the Anglo American set. In
deed, it may be said generally that his
| friends are not the kings friends. He
| does not cultivate millionaires, but has his
| friends among the oldest aTistocrats, who
rather look down on the Marlborough house
set" as money worshipers and notoriety
| hunters.
The prince is extremely quiet and un-
demonstrative, in truth he is rather shy
and has none Of the sailor-like bluffness
which carried Prince Henry of Prussia SO
far. But he has good deal of his faith
ers tact and under the tutelage Of General
Bigge his private secretary, he always does
the correct thing.
In court circles 1t is almost assumed
| that IL the prince goes to New York he
| will go in a semi-private capacity, for II
he should go the Official representative
| OF King Edward there would arise many
awkward questions of precedence and eti-
quet which it would be desirable to obviate
The king appreciates quite as we'll as the
kaiser does that the formalities deemed
essential in a monarchy are better dis
pensed with in democratic countries. II
the prince went for the kings alter ego
(other self he would be entitled to be
treated as a king himself, taking preced-
ence of everybody but the president of the
United States, in private well as in
public functions. Consequently he would
be much hampered in his movements. But
by going simply as distinguished guest
etiquet could be made elastic enough to
suit each occasion. hard and fast rules
being dispensed with.
One thing is certain. The prince could
never think of facing the personal straiT
Prince Henry underwent. His health Is
not robust and he surely would collapse Il
he attempted any such feat Of endurance
1t is suggested that an easy and graceful
way of treating the invitation would be fol
the prince to ge, command OF the newes
battleship and, accompanied by two cruis
ers, cross to New York. In this capacit!
he would simply be a naval officer anC
would secure rest and privacy by residing
aboard his own ship.
Anyway, 1t is not thought that the Ger
man precedent in crossing in an oceaI
liner would be followed. as such a methoc
Of approaching the United States is helt
to be peculiarly uniting in a representa-
tive of the greatest naval power in th'
world. 1t is probable that this scheme ma!
be adopted II visit Is found to be possible
The princes suite would be small con
sisting only Of six members These woult
be two gentlemen-in- waiting, including
Hon. Derek W. Keppel. a naval and mill
tary attache General Sir Arthur Bigge
private secretary, and Sir Donald Macken
zie Wallace, the princes historiographer.
Bigge the FactOtum.
I -
eraI Bigge, who is marvel of industry
courtesy and social cleverness. All invita-
tions to the prince would be forwarde
through General Blgge, who would submit
the arrangements for the princes approval
In England it 70 customary to royaltie
to get beforehand a list of persons 1t
proposed to invite. In the case of the kin
the menu is submitted for his gastronomi
sanction, but that privilege Is not insiste
on by the prince. who is no gourmet
The prince is always addressed as "sir,
not as Your Royal Highness." No on
! seats himself or herself so long as tn
prince remains standing When he rise
all rise. He is just as great a stickler 70
etiauet as is King Edward and is not en-
dowed with his fathers gentle temper.
However simply he might go to Nev
, York, the Chamber of Commerce would b
, surprised and perhaps a little appalled, a
, the amount OF correspondence 1t woul
have with the princes secretary and tn
, quantity Of detailed information about ar
rangements 1t must supply in advance
The prince always wears a naval uniforr
on public occasions and would do so in Me-
York.
AS the heir apparent his status is differ
ent. OF course, from Prince Henry's, an
the visit probably would be more ceremoni
Gus. but the feeling here is that the formal
tiles should be reduced to the minimum