New-York tribune., 1907-01-14
QUEEN HELD THE FORT.
Hoo Marie Of HanoOer Declined to
L05cer Her Flag to the Prussians

II possible that the death cf the venerable
oues- OF Hanover on Wednesday last may have
the result Of modifying TIE refusal OF her son.
the Dixie of Cumberland, to his rights
10 the crown Of Hanover. which is exacted from
HIN, not only by me Kaiser, but also By tle other
sO-ereigns of the German confederate. - a con
dltion of his occupation of the drc1l throne OF
Brunswick. Il has long been known caa& the
Old Queen was the principal obgtacie . Aoy SUI
render the part Of her son IN ia mater,
and that she has gone IL is likely Ibaf he
Will prove more amenable 70 Queen
Marie never wavered in her hatred OF ers-y thing
Prussian and in particular OF the house Of Ho-
henzollern, TO which she closely related. She
played a very important role IN the war Of 1863,
for II was her influence which led her blind hus-
band 10 resist the demands OF Prussia and 70
throw in his lot with Austria
After the crushing defeat sustained by the
Hanoverian army at the battle OF Langonsalza.
where the presence OF the extremely handsome Old
King completely sightiess. furnished a singu-
larry pathetic element TO the scene. and his re-
tirement with his only (tfe present Duke Of
Cumberlandl 20 Vienna. Queen Marie refused TO
follow them 10 leave Hanover. She withdrew
70 her big castle Of Marienburg. which was her
personal property and which, with fits moats and
drawbridges has retained all the appearance Of
a medieval stronghold. There she established
herself. surrounded by a great retinue Of retain
ers, and absolutely refused to bulge the flag OF
Hanover still proudly 1uttering from the tower
This lasted for about three months. the Prussian
government, by reason of her relationship to most
of the regning houses of Europe. being unwilling
20 resort 20 forcible measures.
Ultimately the situation became intolerable, as
the people of Hanover refused 10 believe IN the
absorption Of Hanover by Prussia so long as they
saw the Hanoverian flag flying from their Queens
residence Accordingly General (afterward Field
Marshall Mantcuffel. who even abler diplo-
mat than military commander, was sent TO take
charge Of the situation Governor OF Hanover.
He at once decided upon using craft rather than
force and dispatched message TO Queen Marie
fntimating that, since her majesty was honoring
the dominions of his master the King OF Prussia
with a visit he must pay her all the homage due
her rank and prescribed by royal etiquette, and
that. in consequence thereof, he would station
Prussian sentines around her castle and guard OF
honor at the principal entrance thereof and would,
In his capacity Of Governor. assign not only sew
erai high military officers but also Prussian cham
berlains and waiting TO be in attendance
on her during her stay 'in Prussia" He further
announced that he would in the following week
pay her a ceremonial and official visit, In order TO
present to her the Prussan authorities of ''the
province"
This than the Queen could bear. She
was ready to play the role OF heroine in resisting
forcible measures. but not 10 submit 10 ridoule.
and therefore she quietly and quickly retreated to
Vienna, more embittered than against Prussia
by her own particular defeat.