New-York tribune., 1907-10-08
ROYAL SECRETS.
Ne10 Measures to Prevent IndiScreet
Revelations.

Lord Esher, whose official title Of Deputy Gov
of Windsor Castle does not convey any idea
of the vast Importance of his position in the en-
tourage of the King, and of his influence and
power at court, Is occupying his leisure during the
Parliamentary recess in drafting a measure IN
the shape OF amendment to the sO-called official
law, with the object OF extending its pro-
visions in such TO cover all official
or semi-oficiaI communicatons-in one word, all
correspondence business Of state-between the
sovereign and members of the Cabinet the Viceroy
of India the British ambassadors 10 foreign courts
as well as all those dignitaries among themselves.
II is known that he is doing this at the instance
OF the King. who has the most implicit confidence
In his tact Judgment and experience. consuts him
about almost everything. and has intrusted him
with the delicate task Of making the selection or
the letters contained in the published correspond
of Queen Victoria. which is TO appear wlthln
the next few weeks.
The King who is always greatly interested IN
memoirs both English and foreign. keenly resents
indiscretons contained therein affecting MS mousse
his court. his government and his friends he mas
been subjected to a considerable amount or annoy
ance in this respect in recent years. Ihere are
few retired OF the state who do not devote
their leisure 10 the production OF "reminiscences
or memoirs" partly with the object OF placing on
record the role which they have played In puoIo
lfe and partly. too. with the object OF adding 10
their restricted resources by mnistering TO the
public taste for books OF this class which gen.
orally find a profitable sale.
What gives interest and piquancy 20 these vol
umes is the revelation of secrets of more or less
importance which they contain. and the returns
which authors and publishers obtain from their
sale may be said TO depend upon the character
~ The indscretons that figure in the pages. These
indiscretious are naturally embarrassing to the
persons whom they concern. Sometimes they ar
feet the King or members OF his family, sometimes
~ is the Cabinet the administration previously
I'm office that suffers. while in other instances they
lead 10 the perturbation foreign courts and gov
enments.
Already in July, Just before Parliament was
Droror,Ied Lord Esher addressed from his place
IN the House OF Lords question 70 the Lord
High Chancellor as TO the extent OF the ground
covered by the existing official secrets law ana IL
Was understood at the time that he was making
10 the unsatisfactory character Of the reply given
-. .ha -rnclpal law officer OF the Crown that Lord
Tcsber IS now devsing his bill which is 10
10 s1ibmitted 10 both houses soon as they meet.
for the purpose of muzzling not only the tongues
hut II I may use the expression. also the pens or
those who have held offices OF trust under the
Crown.
There is not a government in Europe which has
not been disturbed and embarrassed by indiscreet
revelations on the part OF those who at one time
or another have been IN It's employ ambassa-
doris ministers OF state. dignitaries OF court etc
Cr,riouely enough the only government that has
entoved almost entire immunity in this respect is
that of the United States. the officers of which,
although their term of office is ephemeral, made
ouaely paid and devoid OF any reward in the shape
of titled orders OF knighthood and pensions, make
it a point OF honor never TO reveal after their
restoration TO private life the secrets with which
they become acquainted while in the employ or
''Uncle Sam"