The San Francisco call., 1906-10-07
AN ENLIGHTENED RULER.

anu QtFA [DlEQlGSo, lSdN
the coast clear for Ranjfs succession
An ENLIGHTENED RULER.
There is no doubt that Ranji will
prove far more enlightened Jam than
any Of his predecessors. His long ex-
perfence OF the cricket field. where
merit alone wins. and the best bats
man or bowler, be he lord or common
er, carries OF the honots, has convert
ed him to democracy. Among his
stanchest friends Is John Burns, the
representative of labor in the Cabinet,
and himself an amateur crieketer Of
no mean ability. Something over three
years ago the Liberal and Radical di-
vision Of the Waithamstow division
asked the Prince to contest the seat
in their behalf at the next Parliamen-
tary election Had he consented there
is no doubt that he would have been
elected. but he preferred to stick TO
cricket. That is not the only form of
sport in which he has distinguished
himself he Is a frst-class shot. and
has bagged several lions and tigers in
India, as we'll as no end OF grouse on
the moors of Yorkshire and Scotland.
He is an excellent rider. too. but has
fought shy of polo because that is
q game which requires a long purse
The matrimonial question is the one
that is likely to cause him the most
trouble in his new role. Ranji is a
monegamist But Jam etiquette re-
euires a Jam to take unto himself at
least half q dozen wives and maintain
spects- Ranji has another motive for
sticking to the one-man n-one-wife prin-
ciple. He is in love with a peers
daughter. The peer has heretofore
looked coldfy on his suit. and the lady
herself has given no strong proof that
she reciprocates his affection. But IL
Is suspected in many quarters that
ii was Ranifs limited income. rather
than his complexion, which caused him
10 be classified as Ineligible" His
ellox-countryman. Prince Victor Du-
staeles, despite the fact that he is q
shade darker than RANT. when he ap-
piled for the hand of the Earl of Co
ventry's daughter. But Prince Victor
had a good bank account. AS the
jam. RANT will enjoy the same ad-
vantage II Will be interesting TO note
whether his suit will not prove equally
successful. Cash is q most powerful
factor in overcoming social prejudices
and caste distinctions.
A DISTINGUISHED CRECKETER.
And the same thing may be said OF
cricket. OF that Ranjfs own career
mere mas FURNISHED StrlRlng PROOF. Ihe
average Englishman, who only Eng
land knows" has little prejudice
against alien races because of their
color, They freely eat and drink with
them. and no saloons, restaurants or
theaters exclude them as they do in
America. But in the so-cslied better
circles the color line is often drawn
especially against the dark skinned
man who is not supplied with ar
abundance of money. Now. Prince
Ranjitsinhii can boast . line Of the
most blue blooded Eastern fighting an
cestry, which stretches some centuries
farther back than the conquest Of Eng
land Also he is a gentleman, accord
ing to the best English standards. But
as an Oriental neither birth nor good
breeding would have caused him to be
regarded as a social equal by the mem
/ bers Of English swell families Had
he distinguished himself in scholarship
had he carried off the highest nonors
/ at Cambridge and written learned
works sfterward-some Of the mos
aristocratic houses of England would
stiil have closed their doors sgainst
him. but as the twice champion amateur
I batsman of England he could not be ig-
nored- That MADE him a social lion
as well as a popular hero. In the best
society he has long been persona
/ grata." ELLIS EIhSEN.