New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-04
CUTTING DOWN TITLES.
Steps TO7cdrd Reducing Number of
Hereditary Hon0rS an Europe.

support them with behtting dignity. The govern
ments of these two Kingdoms appear to have come
10 the sensible conclusion that title of nobility
borne by man who is dependent the charity of
others and is often driven TO questionable
means for living is not calculated TO reflect dig
hlty on the nobility of the country the crown
winch confers the titles of honor Spain may be
SAID to have begun the movement by enacting
heaVy dues which have TO be paid by the heir to a
ute before he assume it And in where
the noble inherits number of titles, for in
stance the Duke of Alba and of Berwick, who is
likewise Duke of Olivares. Duke of Liria, Duke of
huesear and Duke of Arizona, besides possessing
about a dozen other minor titles. he is obliged
pay the duty each one of them let II drop.
NOR can his successor take up unless he pays the
arrears. Thanks to this provision. the number OF
titles in Spain is rapidly diminishing. In the reign
OF queen Isabella and the late King Alfonso they
We're so large to excite rdicuIe the dukes alone
oelng numbered by hundreds. But now that a
man has to pay heavily before he titles
inherited from his father, mother or some other
relative, he thinks twice before saddling himself
with the expense. while quantities of titles of duke,
marquis and count being allowed to lapse
merely because the people who have inherited them
90 not have the money TO pay the dues.
In Italy, where, I announced time ago.
the government has instituted heavy penalties for
those bearing titles sanctioned by the Royal
Department Of Heraldry at Rome. after subjectng
them to a thorough examina ton, the new Cabinet
is now drawing up laws on the same lines those
Of SPAIN debarring the heir to any nobiliary title
from taking possession thereof until he has paid
heavy dues propoonate to the scale Of the various
gradations of the nobility. Ere long other nations
will probably follow suit.
In France there has long been party in the
legislature in favor OF imposing heavy duties all
nobiiary titles and the only thing that has caused
the government to refrain from taking any steps in
the matter has been the feeling that were it TO
enact these taxes they would be construed as the
recognition of nobiliary titles by the republic
In England Parliament formerly imposed duties
upon the burials of titled Dersonages, $3.50 being
levied by the Inland Revenue Department for the
funeral of duke. 500 for that of marquis, $50
for that of earl. s25 for that of vscount s100
for that of baron. SO for that Of baronet, while
a mere $50 was considered sufficient duty to the
state for the funeral Of a mere knight.
Inasnuch as King Peter OF servia is sending
through Ambassador Tower at Berlin personal
letter President Roosevelt requesting the United
States to resume diplomatic relations with his gov
eminent. il IS well to draw attention to the fact
that not merely England, but even Russia, has
declined 10 reopen ordinary diplomatic relations
with the Servtan court so long as the king is sur
rounded with officers implicated in the murder Of
King Alexander and Queen Draga, one of whom,
indeed, still continues TO be Minister Of War. The
Car is represented in Belgrade only by young
secretary, the Minister, NJ. Tcharykof having been
ordered home by his government several months
ago, while when the king !ntimated through his
sister-in-law, the Grand Duchess Peter of Russia,
that he anxious appoint NJ. Paczitch the
former Servian envoy at St Petersburg, 10 repre-
sent him at the Muscovite court, he was informed
by the Grand Duchess that, although the Gar
regarded VI. Paczitch with much favor, he would
not under the present circumstances, receive
new Servian envoy.
With regard 10 the Court OF Berlin the Seryian
Minister. DR.. Militchevitch, who was the repre-
sentative there in the latter portion Of the reign
Of King Alexander still remains at his post As
he was for many years the private secretary Of
King Milan and of Alexander the present Servian
Government wished to remove him from his post
and appoint OF its adherents in his place,
hut was informed by the German Department Of
Foreign Affairs that a Servian Minister would
not in existing circumstances. be received in Ber-
lin So the most intimate friend of the murdered
King Alexander still remains the Servian Minister
in Germany.
This attitude OF the German Government is all
the more praiseworthy, in view of the treatment
which the Emperor received from King Alexander
connection with the latter's marriage. For the
late king had soIernniy pledged his word, both
the Kaiser and Emperor Francis Joseph. that he
would marry Princess Alexandra Of SchaUmburg-
Lippe, youngest sister OF the beautiful Queen of
Wurtemburg. and kinswoman Of the Teignng
the match had been concluded and the necessary
preparations had been made for the kings de-
pGrture for Carlsbad. in Bohemia, where he to
meet his fancee and her family and where the
official announcement Of the betrothal to be
made. In fact, the young princess and her parents
had already arrived there, when suddenly dis
patches arrived from Belgrade 10 the effect that
Alexander had officially announced his betrothal
and his impending marriage TO Draga Maschin.
The indignation of Fran,is Joseph and Of Emperor
William will be appreciated when ii is mentioned
that they had actually arranged between them TO
rrovide FOR the princess dowry worthy of her
rank their interest in her marriage 10 King Alex
ander being of a political character, since they
realized that the presence Of a beautiful German
princess on the throne servia and the binding of
the king through this union by ties OF relationship
TO the various reignng houses Of Germany would
make Servia more in sympathy with the Triple AL
lance than with Russia.
Lord Ronaldshay. who is now in this country, is
the eldest surviving and heir Of the Marquis
Of Zetlaud and has achieved considerable distinc-
ton in connection with his explorations Of Central
Asia which he undertook while serving the
staff Of Lord Curzon. the Viceroy of India. He
has embodied his experiences in clever book en-
titled sport and Politics Under an Eastern Sky,
In which exciting adventures modestly told and
records of the bagging of plenty Of big game are
iuterspersed with the expression of some shrewd
views on the subject Of the political situation in
Central Asia. Lord Ronaldshay Is a good look
ing Young soldier, and heir TO a large fortune, the
foundations OF which laid by army contrac-
tor of the eighteenth century The contractor found
no difficulty In obtaining a baronetcy from the
Premier of the day. who stood in need Of his con-
trbutions 10 the campaign fund OF his party. His
son in turn was elevated TO the peerage with the
title Of Lord Dundas. which transformed in the
following generation into the Earldom of Zetland-
a title based the fact OF the Dundases having
purchased the Zetland estates and feudal rights OF
the Earls of Morton. The present Lord zetland
Us advanced TO the rank Of marquis for his ser
vices as one of the Tory viceroys OF Ireland. His
eldest son Lord Ronaldshay. is regarded as one OF
the great matrimonial catches in English society.