New-York tribune., 1906-09-17
BRUNSWICK AND HANOVER.

The death OF Prince Albert Of Prussia, Duke
Regent OF Brunswick, probably marks de-
cisive turning point in German history, inyolv-
ing two of the greatest territorial names in that
empire, and presumably making for the further
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Prussian crown. Under
Henry the lion, eight centuries ago. the House
of Brunswick -Wolfenbuettel was sovereign over
Bavaria and Saxony well as Brunswick,
Hanover and other territories, and. though
greatly despOlled in consequence OF a quarrel
with Frederick Barbarossa, II continued down
10 the last century 10 be u notable factor IN
German affairs in addition TO giving a dynasty
OF six sovereigns 10 England. IL was in 1922
that the larger part Of the ducal domain was
erected into the Electorate OF Hanover, which
was united with England by the crown In 1714.
occupied by Napoleon IN 1903, given by him to
PRUSSIA IN 1905. recovered by England in 1913
erected into the Kingdom of Hanover IN 1914,
separated from England in 1887. and finally con-
quered by Prussia ard annexed by right OF
military conquest in 1866.
The last actual King OF Hanover was exlled
hv the Prussian conquest Of 1866 and died in
exile, In 1873 stubbornly refusing TO the end TO
recognize the legality Of his deposition. and
thus forfeiting the income from the great
Guelph Fund Of Sl2,OO0,OOO TO which he would
otherwise have been entitled. His son. the
Duke Of Cumberland. brother-in-sw OF the
the throne and Of course had 10 remain I'm
exile and 10 forfeit the income OF the Guelph
Fund. Meantime the elder branch OF the fam
ilv had remained sovereign over the little
Duchy of Brunswick which allying itself with
Prussia in 1866. had not suffered the fate of
Hanover but had remained independent. But
that elder branch be anne extinct in 1884, upon
the death OF Duke William. and then the head
Of the younger branch became heir to Bruins
land hut he was not permitted TO succeed to
the duchy. because he would not renOunce his
claims 10 the HanoveTinn throne. Nor could
the next heir. the Duke Of Cambridge. succeed
since he was unwilling TO surrender his place
I'm England Accordingly Prince Albert. son of
a brother OF old Emperor William and thus
cousin OF the present Emperor. was I'm 1885
elected Regent OF tho Duchy OF Brunswick
Since that time various efforts have been
made 10 effect q cOnciliatiOn between the Prus-
sian crown and the Duke Of Cumberland, so
that the latter might succeed to the Duchy Of
Brunswick, hut without avail The Duke has
been resOute in maintaining his claim TO the
Hanoverian realm and Of course Prussia will
never for moment consider the REIMBURSEMENT
Of that territory. lying between the Elbe and
the Weser and fronting on the North Sea
sirategically we'll I'm other respects one
Of the most valuable parts Of the kingdom
Now the death Of the Regent presents what
VIII probably be the final opportunity for such
conciliation. III the Duke Of Cumberland
should decide 20 recognize the long accomplished
and irrevenible fact. he might at this late date
be enabled To quit dreary Gmiinden. in Austria
and establish himself in historic Brunswick and
take his place among the reigning princes or
the German Empire. There he wOuld be sov-
ereign Of a snug little state OF about bolf n
million people with an area nearly half ss greet
again as that Of Rhode Island, ami with civu
list for himself Of about S2SOeD0 n wear he
will probably have years interregDum in
ahich 10 make mp HIS mind, for the law nro.
yldes that n the rghtful heir. after the snace
Of a wear shall be unable 10 qualify for The
sucoession the l-andtag of the duchy shall alAct
a Regent from the non-relgning members Of
rei2ning German families Ii may be thar sucb
q years grace win now be given, or that n will