New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-28
SUBSTITUTED ROYALTY.
Safeguards to PrcUent Fraud in
Births of Future Monarchs.

originated with more exalted fiji wishers of the
rmneror and Empress OF Russia to the effect
maj the Czarevitch is a supposititious child Ac-
cordng 10 the rumor in question the Czarina in
sallty brought into the world fifth daughter
,be ether cay. for which male infant. the son
Of peasant parents substituted, through
Gear of The effect upon popular sentiment if IT
became known that Providence had again turned
9 6eaf ear to the prayers Of the imperial coupIe
and Of their subjects for the birth of an heir
Tho peculiar malignancy OF reports such "a
these lies IN the fact that, no matter how I'M
founded and how convincingly disproved. they
slvays leave an impression of doubt upon a GER
ain clement OF the public and are calculated to
affect the status Of their victim much in the
same way ISLANDERS at the expense of even the
most blsTneless and pure Of women.
Bo.s Nicholas and his consort may, however
derive some consolation from the fact that there
are few sovereigns and royal personages in his
tory. modern as well ancient who have not
heen subjected TO malevolent insinuations with
regard TO their birth When the vast interests
m connection with the latter are taken .nto con-
sideration this Will cause no Surprise. AS in
the case OF young Czarevitch Alexis. issues OF
the most vital dynastic and national impor-
rance frequently depend upon the Of the in
fant and it is therefore only natural that per-
.ons who are either devoid OF: scruples. or else
who following the advice OF the Psalmist de-
eire to put their faith in princes should be-
6eve the latter as & class ready to sacrifice
principles to policy.
It's with the object OF protecting members OF
-sisuinS houses who are IN the line OF success
s,or 70 the throne from suspicious OF this kind.
sui at the same time with view OF satisfying
the nation that their interests had been safe
guarded from any danger OF fraud. that course
@. procedure has been adopted at all the courts
Of Europe which is regarded by the anointed OF
The Lord as among the penalties Of their rank.
since 1t cannot but deeply offend their sense OF
Selicacy To put the matter briefly, one or two
cabinet ministers or secretaries OF state
r-esent as the representatives OF the people at
ell royal births. sometimes IN an adjoining room
with the intervening doors open, and sometimes
N the royal lady's apartment itself These
statesmen and great dgnitaries Of the realm are
there for no other purpose than to prevent any
substitution from being perpetrated, and to con-
yey an assurance to their fellow citizens that the
,nfsnt whose birth they have witnessed is the
bona hde child OF the royal lady whom they
have been called upon to attend in connection
with The happy event" In those countries
where the monarchy is Of constitutional char
sc.ar this procedure Is required by the law OF
che land The ministers Immediately after the
birth Mace Il on official record, and should any
question ever arise n connection Herewith the
national legislature would thus have II in Its
noxer 20 call the statesman 10 account, and in
the event of his having rendered himself a party
TO any fraud TO move for his impeachment and
his punishment. In Russia and In the grand
tucbies OF Mecklenburg- Strelitz and Mecklen-
turs-schwerin. where there Is no constitutional
SorzsA -ss government. the presence of the great
dignitaries Of the realm at births OF members OF
the reigu,ng house is exacted. not by law, but
bv the sovereign himself. for the purpose Of
shielding the dynasty precisely from such slam
ders as those which are now being circulated
about the infant CZareyitch OF Russia
At the court Of Madrid as soon the birth
Of child tn the line OF succession to the throne
is q hand, not merely the two cabinet ministes
who are TO be present are summoned TO the pal
ace, but invitations sent formerly by mount
ed guards, nowadays by telephone, to all the
leading officials of the royal household, and TO
The great dignitaries Of state well 10 the
ladies of the court. who hasten TO the palace and
gather in the grand salons Immediately adjoin-
ing the apartment where the royal infant is to
make its advent into the world. The men are
ali in fun uniform, the women in court dress,
and Immediately after the advent OF the baby
II is carried by its father on a great silver gilt
Falver. nestled in a cloud Of gauze. into the
salons where the members of the court are as
sernbled in order 10 receive their homage, the
father being escorted by the two statesmen who
have been the official witnesses Of the birth.
With regard 10 England, It is the mystery
which has always prevailed concerning the birth
Of the only son OF King James II that led to
the adoption Of the constitutional safeguards
s1orded by the presence OF Secretary OF State
on occasions of this kind. IT may be remeTn-
lered that both James II and his consort the
Queen were Roman Catholics OF the most big
o;ed type whereas his two elder daughters by
previous marriage. Princess Mary and Princess
Anne. were Protestants. The English people
viewed with dread the prospect OF the crown
falling a. James's death 10 young prince
reared 10 the Roman Catholic faith. and who
during his minority would be subject TO the re-
gency Of q Catholic Queen. So 1t is not aston
shlng that they shopld have regarded the an
nouncernent that the Queen was about TO be-
Z mother with suspicion. while the eX-
lraordlnary secrecy observed in all matters re-
lating to the birth Of the prince, afterward
known as the "OId Pretender." and the many
mysterious circumstances In connection there
with tended 10 confirm the widespread popular
impression that he supposiutious chllo'
his half sisters. Princess Anne. afterward queen
Anne. and Princess Mary. married to the Prince
of Orange being among the loudest 20 denounce
him as d fraud.
II is entirely in keeping with what we kno"
Of history that these Two princesses should nave
adopted this attitude. For the insinuations con-
oernlng the legitimacy OF the anointed OF the
Lord VII be found in nine cases out OF ten TO
have originated not with foes OF the dynasty
with revolutionists but with near relatives
whose ambitions and Aspirations have been
either disturbed OF destroyed by the birth or the
scion Of royalty in question Thus Napoleon III
vas declared even by ais nearest kinsfolk TO be