The Ordway new era., 1906-06-01

The democratic Norwegians desire
. democratic king. and could nav'
made no wiser choice than that %
Prince Charles OF Denmark. nov
Haaken VII. Compared with Sweden
Denmark is very democratic, as some
one phrases 1t. in Denmark the aris'
tocracy has gone to seed. The upper
classes in King Christians realm tnoS
King Frederick's) are largely weal'hy
merchants and farmers OF the 'scien'
tific' sort Titles OF nobility are nc
longer issued In Denmark. and the few
remaining 'noblemen' in the kingdom
are not much seen Mt court.
II would be pleasant TO believe that
not NIL royal marriages are mar
riages of convenience. and 1t is heard
on all sides that Haakon and his queen
made real love match-but this sort
of story is very apt 10 be told even OF
the most boldly arranged" affairs.
But on the supposition this really Is an
exception. let us give credulity 10 tn"
tale of the oourtship of the Danish
prince and English princess. They
met when the latter one time accom-
panied her mothe- on n visit to her
Danish relatives. 1t was at the ANA
lienborg palace, Copenhagen, the
prince and princess made acquain,-
ance. and. so the story goes. fell IL
love ut first sight. The princess Is
three years the princes senior but
that was no matter. the course Of true
love ran smoothly. the couple wus
married in the royal chapel at Buck
ingham palace. Whether or not the
marriage was a political one, 1t Is
rather fortunate for Haakon. ruler OF
a country with long coast line to de-
fend, TO have such a powerful ally as
King Edward.
To be sure. King Haakon has other
connections cf due Importance. You
remember his grandfather. the lament
ed King Christian OF Denmark. was
called father-in-law OF Europe. and
Haakon is related TO almost all the
crowned heads: the car is his FIRST
cousin. the king of Greece his uncle.
he is a granddaughter OF King Oscar OF
Sweden. his queen is cousin of the
kaiser
King Haakon is popular in the best
sense of the word, not because he
makes bid for popularity, plays to
the galleries. but because he Is natural
ly kindly and good-humored. When
the news was flashed abroad that he
was to occupy the throne of Norway.
u Paris paper spoke thus of the newly
elected sovereign: His wife adores
him; out who does not?" A most de-
voted husband, essentially a domestic
man, favorite among his many broth
ers and sisters, prime favorite with
his father-in-law. King Edward, well
liked by the democratic Danes. II H.
readily seen he appeals to many men
OF many kinds.
Charles was a sailor prince, and this
fact proved very agreeable to Norway
with her long line of famous sea kings.
No doubt the schooling he received in
the severe discipline of training ship
had no small influence in his develop
ment. A former cadet in the Danish
navy and a messmate of the prince 5
recently wrote for Munsey's Magazine
spicy article on this period in the
life of the new king of Norway. The
writer, Hrolf Wisby. says: Blu; tho
rough and 1ready course of training
through which he had to pass on ship.
board. wnsp qPbody cared fig for hi.
rank. and WARE he had to learn
prompt and implied, obedience to dis.
icipiiue, determined his character II
after life. 1mpressionable as the Lao
was, he would have shrunk to a mere
princely puppet If he had been left tt
develop only in fhe atmosphere o
court life. Instead the human side OF
the boy was brought out by contac;
with his comrades in the navy, and un.
der the pressure of their rigid code he
was taught to work and to play, tc
endure and to enjoy. like other healthy
lads OF his age. 1t was a lesson that
! has been of inestimable value in his
subsequent career"
When the proposition was made t,
Prince Charles that he become rule,
of the Independent nation of Norway
! the prince mentioned three objections:
his rty-comparative, of course
ifhe fact that his wife was averse to as
6uming the burdens of Il queen; thai
he ought to be elected by the people
rather than by parliament AS is wei
known, the objections vera overcome
Promise was given that a fund woult
be provided for the proper rnaintenanc,
Of hts family and in event of deposition
thar a life pension would be granted
him. King Edward persuaded Princess
Maid to consider with favor the posi-.
ton Of queen Of Norway. And popula,
vote ratified the choice sf the new
king. III was anNpictous, the nsv