The Washington herald., 1907-10-13
KINGS AND PUBLICITY
RELATIONS OF ROYALTY TO THE AMERICAN
AND FOREIGN NEWSPAPERS.

payment OF money. the services Of the
management and OF the writer's.
There were a number Of these Rewspa-
pers in Paris and elsewhere in France;
also IN Italy, Austria, Russia, the Meth
eriands. belgium. Scandinavia. and a few
very few-even in England. that figured
as benefielaries Of the Reptile Fund,
but not single American journal. Il Is
only fair 10 add that the only important
English newspaper tainted with this sus-
picion-and something more than suspi-
cion-and which had previously been one
of the most influential organs Of the
press, has Of late years passed into the
hands Of new owners, whose patriotism
and independence are above ali reproach.
Nowadays the subventloning of foreign
newspapers by the German government
is more discreetly managed. and the
money used for the purpose is no longer
| furnished by the Guelph fund, which has
now passed out Of existence, but by se-
| eret service money at the disposal OF
every civilized power. The result is that
the influence thus secured Is more effect
| i've and extensive
Russia contributes 10 the maintenance
Of number Of foreign newspapers and
to az least one important review In Paris.
as well as to papers in Belgium, in Ger
man. In Austria. and indeed. throughout
the Balkans. It maintains fully equip
| ped bureau at Brussels which is exolu-
sively devoted TO the supervision and in
! huencing OF the press in Western Europe.
| Both the Austrian and the Italian gov
ernments spend a considerable portion OF
their secret service funds upon foreign
newspaperdom, while Spain and POrtu-
gal accord their chief pecuniary atten-
| tions to the prints Of those countries in
which their government bonds are most
largely held.
Probably the two most liberal Of all
European rulers In their dealings with
the press are the Prince Of Monaco and
King Leopold The sums paid by the
former to the newspapers 70 refrain from
attacking the gambling establishment at
Monte Carlo. and from exposing its con-
nection with the ruler OF the principally.
are something enormous. German and
French papers figuring very numerously
on the list Of those whose silence has
thus been purchased, while King Leopold,
I in spite of his alleged indifference 70 pop
ular sentiment and press criticism, has
spent immense AMOUNTS in endeavoring TO
secure friendly treatment for his finan-
cial schemes. especially those IN c0nnee-
tion with the Congo Free State. In spite
/ of his undeniable cleverness IN other re-
spects, he has been the only European
sovereign 10 attempt 10 influence the
American press by means OF money; and
he even established a press bureau here
for the purpose. But II failed to accom-
piish anything beyond covering itself with
Tidicule and exciting stin greater ill-will
anG anirnosity on the part OF the news
papers and the public In America against
King Leopold and his misrule of the
Congo.
It was Napoleon, the great Emperor,
however. who was the first monarch OF
the Old World TO recognize the impor-
tance Of the press as a means Of infG-
encing popular sentiment. True. Louis
XIII is on record as having occasionally
contributed to the Gazette de France, on
its foundation in the early part OF the
seventeenth century, and Cardinal Richie
lieu likewise printed many Of his writ
Ings in its columns. But it was not until
the early part OF the nineteenth century
that the crown commenced 10 realize the
advantages to be derived from the man
agement of the press. Napoleon l was
never tired Of urging upon his minister OF
police and minister OF the interior. FOu-
chet, the influence Of the newspapers. and
insisted that by means OF public festivals
and gorgeous pageants he should give
Z han rur-ses oh 4r-aH 81
would have no time or space 70 devote %
politics I do not want them 10 put their
noses into the affairs Of my government,
he was wont 20 sxelaim; and when they
did concern themselves with such matters
he was resolved that 1t should be done
only under his direction and in consO-
nance with his views.
King Oscar has been a frequent con-
tributor 70, the press OF Sweden. and also
TO magazines and reviews. usually under
a pen name; while the name of Carmen
Sylvia. the pseudonym Of Queen Elizabeth
OF Roumania. Is constantly 70 be found
in Austrian. German and French news
papers and reviews. and even in American
magazines. II is understood that tbs
money which she thus earns By means OF
her pen is devoted to her model settle
ment for the blind, near Sinai, her coun-
try place in the Carpathians.
With regard 10 the reigning house OF
England. its intercourse with the press
may be said to date from the time of the
Prince Regent, and to eve its origin IN
large measure to very curious character,
who used to go by the name OF "Old
Z rr,r.~r a I,aq -
a cOal-heaver, d turnkey al Newgate. a
Bow street officer, then the friend and
confdant OF Sir Richard Birnie one Of the
Regents boon associates. and ultimately
follower of the Regent himself. There
had been much trouble about the indis-
Greet revelations concerning royalty In
the press, and Townsend was asked by
the Regent If he could lay his hand on a
sensible newspaper writer who would set
down what he was told, and no more.
Townsend sent for an old orony of his
own, and the man was appointed court
newsman." 1t was his duty to send 70
the leading newspaper Offices daily court
circulars containing authenticated news,
and the papers were warned against pub
fishing any other. At the same time all
approaches 10 the palaces were guarded
against irregular incursions Of newspaper
men. That was the origin Of the Court
Circular" which Queen Victoria herself
was won't to edit daily throughout her
reign. and which she frequently used for
the purpose of conveying messages TO her
subjects. Sometimes these messages took
the form of an expression Of regret for
the loss OF a distinguished servant OF the
state, sometimes of sorrow over some
disaster, while on two or three occasions
she went so far as 10 furnish through the
Court Circular to the newspapers, and
through the latter to the people, explana-
tons of her conduct.