New-York tribune., 1905-04-21
A CONCILTATORY PRINCE
aStDeden's Regent Ertends the Olive
Branch to NorsUay.

Branch to Nor1Uay.
Age has brought an increase OF political saVac,t,
ano statesmanship 10 the Crown Prince Of Sweden
and of Norway. who some eight years ago deenIv
offended the Norwegian subjects OF his father by
publicly proclsiming his conviction that the onl1,
way 10 put an end 10 the difficulties between them
Hnd Sweden would be 10 march a Swedish army
into their country. The national legislature al
Christiania thereupon declined 10 continue to con-
tribute its moety his civil list as heir apparent
and for a time the relations were most strained
and his advent 10 the throne apprshended by
the Norwegians os likely 70 involve them IN a full
Gedged war with Sweden.
The Crown Prince. however. has become a keen
and shreWd student of the political conditions OF
Europe. HIS predilectiOn for everything German
has moderated and his friendship for the Kaiser.
while it stil exists. is so devoted as in days
Of yore. Indeed he is credited with bsing no
longer an advocate OF the project OF a military
and naval alliance OF his fathers two Kingdoms
with Germany 10 which formerly he stood com
mitted. He has apparently reached the conviction
that Norway and Sweden will be safer by settling
their differences and by holding aloof from foreign
alliances.
The remarkable speech which he delivered the
other Gay before the joint council Of state OF the
two kingdoms gives expression 70 these views
Il was characterized by the utmost concIliation
toward Norway and by an entire absence OF his
former truculence toward that kingdom Speaking
es Regent-and the condition OF King Oscars
health precludes his ever resuming the reins OF
pcwer-the Crown Prince declared himself in favor
OF NorWays claims for a separate consular seryice
R6vocated an immediate arrangement Of differences
between Norway and Sweden on the fundamental
basis OF perfect equality. and proposed a pro-
gramme which, embracing all that the Norwegians
could possibly wish. bids fair 20 bring about an
entiTe understanding. This speech. radically at
variance wiki the utterances OF the Crown Prince
seven and eight years ago. as well with the
opinions and prejudices which he was believed by
the public at large to entertain. has created
Inn md IL
throughout Norway, and taken in conjunction
with the announcement that his son and the lat
aer's English bride are make their home at
chrisuania after their marriage win contribute
more than anything else TO bring about that union
o. hearts and OF interests between the two king
dOms which is, from political point Of view. in
Gnitsy superior 10 any administrative union.
ToRcHLIGHT DANCE BY MINISTER'S.
One OF the features OF the German Crown
Princes wedding at Berlin few weeks hence Will
be the old fashioned torchlight dance which is
source OF much terror 10 the Prussian Ministers
of State The torchlight dance takes place at the
ball given the evening % the wedding day at the
palace at Berlin. The torches are huge candles
similar those used in churches and the dance IS
nothing but 4 slow and stately march. the Cabinet
Ministers in full uniform walking two by two
Bhead OF the royal and imperial procession, each
bearing one of these lighted candles in his hand,
q TO show the way to the bride and bridegroom.
% the sovereigns ana the princes and princesses
% the blood who follow in their wake This march
Is succeeded by the slow and stately polonaise, and
when the latter has been danced the Ministers once
more head the procession with their candles to light
the young married couple TO the bridal chamber.
teoeivng by way Of reward for their services pieces
% ribbon. supposed 10 represent portions OF the
brides garter.
Only one Cabinet Minister Of the Prussian
grown is on record as having declined to conform to
the etiquette that demanded his taking part in the
terchlight dance, and that was Prince Bismarck
under no circumstances would he consent 20 make
such g fool Of himself
Il Is necessary 10 visit the small courts OF Ger
many in order 10 appreciate to what extent the
candle plays a part in Official functions. Thus.
whenever either the sovereign any member Of
the reigning family visits the theatres otherwise
than incognito he or she is received on alighting
from the carriage by the state official intrusted
with the superntendsnce OF the theatres. who. ar
Eayed either uniform in 'frOck dress" that is
90 say, black knee breeches and black silk stock
gs walks IN advance Of the royal visitor. usually
backwards. holding aoft in his right hand silver
git double branched candlestick, TO light the way
20 the state loge or royal box. The ascent back
ward UP the stairs especially when the dignitaTy
happens 10 be old fat and clothed in tight fitting
uniform. is sometimes extremely comcal, especially
when the candle grease happens to trickle over his
gioved hand and down his bare inside the
sleeve. In olden times the candlestick would be
left on console in the box. and if the play did not
meet with satisfaction Of the royal visitor he
would hurl the candle though not the candlestick.
upon the stage 10 put stop TO the performance, a
custom to which may be attributed the old French
Saying which is rendered in English as the game
Ior play) is worth the candle