New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-03
LONDON NOTES.
H0r Royalty Protects Royalty
FIi1cbetk1n Stage Work-Art.
London. March %

~ Cambridge, while honored alike IN life and IN
asath as a sincere and capable prince. who de-
,-,ted his talents and energies TO the service az
his country. was screened from criticism during
me victorian reign The Queen was a consti-
.utional monarch. who did not interfere with the
opsration Of Parliamentary institutions; but sbe
vas also q martinez. who insisted upon having
he royal family treated with proper respect
and exempted from criticism The Duke OF
Cambridge. when he was commander in chief
was the responsible head OF the military SER
vice which was constantly coming up in Par
lament for discussion. lie was never attacked
even by the most ardent reforraers and the most
uncompromising Radicals. but the system Of
military conventions. etiquette and red tape.
which he represented and embodied, was often
exposed 70 destructive criticism Queen Vic
toria was extremely sensitive to strictures Of
this kind. and had her own method OF regu-
latarg Parliamentary discussion. She reminded
members who considered themselves licensed TO
talk about the Duke OF Cambridge as though he
were an ordinary military functionary that he
was a privileged character on account Of his
royal birth The warning was conveyed n
roundabout way and was not unpIeasantly en-
phasized. but Il was invariably effective.
An Influential member OF Parliament. now IN
his grave. after receiving a decoration from the
Crown once related TO ne his own experience.
SIC gave ne COTIDEOT1llNe evidence OF AIe
Queens objections 10 unceremonious treatment
OF any representative OF the royal family. The
subject Of military reorganization had been
preached. the member had discussed Il IN the
House with candor. and there had not been a
thought IN his mind Of saying anything deroga-
tory 70 the dignity or efficiency OF the Duke Of
Cambridge. IN the course OF a fortnight he re-
ceivea q communication from the Court which
had been transmitted from one department 10
another. Z had been sent IN the first instance
TO the Home Office * had been referred thence
70 The War Office; Il had finally reached the
Prime Minister and been communicated TO the
member himself. Il vas letter from one OF the
Queens private secretaries. with a curt ref
ereace TO the members speech n the Commons
and a request FOR the authority for certain
statements. The member sent reply to the
Prime Minister discloi1lirg any disrespect TO the
royal family n the statements which Re had
made. and this was passed on 70 the War once
and thence 10 the Home Office, until Il finally
reached Windsor Castle No notice was ever
taken q t. ard the member frankly confessed
that he had been exceedingly careful TO avoid
subsequently any reference in public either 10
the Duke OF Cambridge or to any other member
OF the royal family. Il had been disagreeable
FOR him to receive this reminder from the good
sovereign. who was respected and loved by al
her subjects. and IL had been CALLING his pride
Il oe compelled to make an indirect apology for
what ne considered to have been a perfectly
proper reference TO The UNIFORMED military sys-
ten which had been enueshed IN red tape
Queen Victoria protected royaIty while she lived
crom criticism Of this natEre. No member Of
Parliament could speak lightly OF the Duke OF
Cambridge without being reminded thai be was
transgressing the requirements OF what the SOW
ere-gn considered good form. Discipline was
easily maintained as my informant assured me.
Tor. apart from the Rwkwardness Of Offering ex-
plantations Of remarks made at random n de-
bate. there were the Invitations 70 levees and
drawing rooms at Buckingham Palace and the
social ambitions OF the wives and daughters Of
members OF Parliament
Queen Victoria was never reconcIled to the
resignation OF the Duke Of Cambridge as COM
mander in chief She considered the presence
OF royalty az army headquarters Indispensable,
and while she hon0-ed Lord wolseley and Lord
Roberts with her confidence, she was most per
sistent IN her desire 70 have her favorite son.
the Duke OF Connaught. appointed commander
IN chief. While her wishes were known and the
Qualifications CT the Duke OF Connaught for su-
preme command were generally recognized. there
was reluctance on each side OF the Commons
10 have royalty again IN the saddle, on account
Of the restraint which would be imposed IN the
discussion OF military policies and questions OF
army reform and reorganization. King Ed
wards remarkable tact has been displayed IN
TIE hexibility with which he has hOnored his
mothers wishes. and at the same time has re-
neved members Of Parliament from erlbarrass-
nent In their debates Under the scheme Of
reform proposed by Lord Esher's committee, the
Duke ot Connaught virtually succeeds Lord
Roberts the principal functiona-y Of the
army for ceremonial occasiOnss yet, since he Is
ne inspector general and the Army Board is
responsible FOR the administration OF the service
AMI the establishment OF standards OF discipline
and efficiency, his name VIII never be men
tened IN Parliament, and there viii not be any
questions Of deIicacy and royal etiquette IN
discussions Of military reorganization The
Duke OF Connaug1t who is well trained sol
der and loves his work. as the Duke OF Cam
bridge id IN his time at headquarters, VIII not
be an ornamental parsonage with court funo-
uons, but a disciplinarian and tactician OF IN
riva-led influence. The result VIII be that men,
bers Of Parliament can say what they Ike about
military administration without being exposed
10 the risk OF receiving the circular letter OF IN
euiry. Z the practice, Z disposed TO doubt,
has been retained during the present reign: and
he right man Is IN the right place as Inspector
genera. and can enforce discipline in the army
with commanding force. When the history OF
the new reign is written. tact viii be the
word with which to sum Up the sovereign's In
eoHparable talent for finding the line OF least
possible resistance.
The Elizabethaa Stage Society is now doing
distinctly educational work and with excellent
effect L has been reviving Much Ado About
Nothing" Tor the evening continuation schools
q the London School Board with the stage.
costumes an6 music OF the Elizzbethan period
anc with the complete text There has been a