The Washington herald., 1907-12-15

& King Gustavus' succession to the throne
at Stockholm means the Inauguration of
y new political era for Sweden. True. he
has repeatedly ofiiciated as regent during
Oscars absences abroad, and likewise
during his illnesses.
But the latter. while sufficiently severe
10 render him incapable OF supporting the
fatigues entailed by the onerous duties OF
constitutional sovereign-duties which
include the perusal consideration, and
signature of hundreds Of documents each
day-were nevertheless Of such a charac-
ter as 70 enable him to remain keenly
alive to what was going on around him.
so that he remained really the controlling
power his son being compelled to ad-
minister the government in accordance
with the parental views and wishes
1t is no secret to those who possess any
acquaintance with conditions at Stock
holm that Gustavus entertained ideas
very different to those of the late King
about number of question; that he en-
tirely disapproved of his fathers attitude
in the controversy that eliminated in the
Withdrawal by Norway from the union
with Sweden, and that if he had had his
way he would have endeavored TO crush
all Norwegian aspirations in the direction
Of independence long before they took the
form of final separation.
In one word, the character OF King
Gustavus, instead of being pre-eminently
patient, conciliatoTS, and ready to proceed
TO almost any length in order 70 avert a
conflict. is extremely aggressive and un-
prF-
half century was devoted to the avoid
ance of quarrels with foreign nations.
and 70 futile endeavors TO bring about
friendly understanding between his
Swedish and Norwegian subjects and the
realization OF his failure in the latter
particular when Norway proclaimed her
independence was a blow from which he
never recovered, which embittered the
closing years Of his life. and aggravated
the illness to which he finally succumbed.
DisDIeHscd with Norway.
King Gustavus has no such compunc-
ton about the necessity of maintaining
an attitude Of peace and good will to-
ward all mankind. He is filed with re-
sentiment, not only against Norway. but
likewise against those nations which he
regards as having .fostered and encourag-
ed what he IS pleased to declare TO be her
rebellion against Sweden, and is eager
that his country should recover the i'm
portance. and should play once more the
role i'm the concert Of Europe which il
nlled in the reign of King Gustavus AdoI-
phus. whose name he bears
Sweden's new king. therefore. com
DC n a.. Il
interest and it is astonishing under the
circumstances that so little space was de-
voted by the press to any portrayal Of his
personality and character at the time of
his accession on Monday last.
In appearance asd manner he is a strik-
ing contrast to his father. True. he has
the same lofty stature But he lacks
Oscars breadth Of shoulders and magnif-
cent bearing; and. whereas the late king
was one Of the handsomest men in Eu-
rope, and every inch monarch in his
magnificent physique GustaYus. with
his sloping shoulders, his recedng chin.
only partly concealed by "A sparse beard. !
his everlasting pince-nez perched on a
nose that is not aquiline, but tip-tilted is |
not precisely calculated to inspire enthu-
siasm.
Furthermore, while his father WAS most
genial and democratic in his ROYALTY and
possessed in very marked degree that
peculiar charm Of manner which the
French so graphically describe as sym |
pauque' King Gustavus IS reserved in |
his demeanOr. formal in his speech. and
conveys the notion of naughty arrogance
and prOneness 10 irritation. 1t is said that
these defects are in a measure atoned for
by lofty sense OF honor and a particu- |
Iarly kind heart But il Is to be feared !
that the people at large do not take these
redeeming qualities into account. and. be-
ing inclined to form their judgment bv |
what they see on the surface. fan tn ar |
cord to Gustavus the same appreciation |
that was so freely given to his father.
Lacks Fathers Intellect.
Another respect in which King Gusta- |
vus differs from his father is in the all |
sence Of all those graces Of intellect and !
those accomplishments for which King
Oscar was so distinguished. The late 1
ruler of Sweden shown as a PLAYWRIGHT /
as poet, as a novelist and as an artist /
with both brush and chisel. His musical |
talents were altogether remarkable. even |
in land OF song such as Sweden. and |
most Of the music now used o in the |
churches throughout the kingdom is Of /
his composition.
Oscar possessed magnificent voice. and
in time gone by was wont to entertain a
small circle of intimate friends at musi-
cal evenings in the music-room of his
palace at Stockholm. he. himself taking
q leading part in the singing.
While Prince Eugene has inherited
his fathers artistic tastes. and has de-
veloped into a painter Of international
fame many Of whose pictures have
been sold in the United States. King
Gustavus has shown no special anti
tude for literature. art, or science. His
tastes incline rather to matters mill
tary and to statecraft, which naturally
leads to the belief that spirited times
are ahead for the little kingdom of
Sweden.
In matters of foreign policy Gustavus
leans altogether in the direction OF
Germany. and has always cultivated a
close intimacy with the Kaiser. II MAJ
safely be assumed that during his
reign the relations between Sweden and
Germany will become still closer than
before. and that his response to Nor
way action IN securing a guarantee
OF her neutrality from Great Britain
France. and Russia. which is directed
against Sweden. will take the form of
the conclusion Of an offensive and de-
fensive alliance with Germany no
matter whether 1his alliance be made
public or not Gustavus makes no ar
tempt to conceal his pronounced SYM
pathies for Germany
He has been one of the most active
movers in establishing the new ferry
service between the German coast ana