The Washington herald., 1908-07-12
CRITICISE KING EDWARD
British Critics See Making of Despot
in Their Ruler.

London. July n.-Just as most Ameri-
cans, regardless Of politics. speak kindly
and admiringly Of whomsoever happens
TO be President at the time. just SO do
most Englishmen make it point 70
worship az King Edwards shrine. simply
because he is King.
Just as in America the mere mention
Of the Presidents name is Immediately
followed by a sound 81 hammering from
an energetic minority throughout the
land, even so in England are the words
his majesty the signal I0r a clang Of
anvils from Lands End to John
OGroats.
The nice things people say about the
King are Of course uninteresting. The
mean ones run something like this:
The way Edward VII has wrested gov
ernmental power from his people throws
Theodore Roosevelts methods into the
shade"
How has he done it? Why. through the
greed OF the countrys political leaders
for place title, and power. Whichever
party chances to be running the govern
ment does It just as Edward dictates be-
cause the cabinet ministers are afraid Of
missing a peerage. a lift into high so
ciety, the Kings smile. or some other
/ intangible but valuable thing
AKquith's Wife Has Ambition
And is this the way the King manages
Premier Asquith7 Oh. no. Premier As
quith Is a high-minded statesman who
wouldn't think Of being influenced by
the sordid consideration Of a title But
his wife. who isn't in Office and can be
Influenced by anything she likes. wants
ar -a-ldom for her husband. She Is also
his closest political adviser See?
King Edward isn't as democratic as
he pretends. either-so runs the indict-
ment. The Kaiser, the knockers say, is
true democrat at heart. with a super
fetal fancy for the externals Of war
lord and a despOt Edward. his critics
assert Is just the other way about
II any one wants an example OF the
way he runs England. the Radicals re-
mn~h. look at his recent meeting with the
Car at Revel where an agreement was
arranged binding England and Russia to-
gether IN political matters Of the highest
import.
The King hasn't the least right TO make
treaties Tor England. yet every one ad-
mits that Parliament will approve the
Revel agreement because a majority OF
the lawmakers VIII take the cabinet s
orders, and the cabinet is AFRAID 20 Of
fend the King
Kings Friendship In Expensive.
It's expensive TO be the Kings friend.
too. Some day he's liable TO remark: Il
like you. I'd accept an invitation 10
spend a weekend at your house"
This is a command and the lucky indl-
vidual promptly acts on It. or Is socially
lost forever. Later he probably goes
into bankruptcy. They say the late Duke
OF Devonshire spent between 2.000. 900
and 100000 entertaining the King.
though his majesty only visited him five
times during his graCe's lifetime. and
was with him but TWO or three days each
time.
Once Edward said he'd like 10 see a
new castle the duke had Just finished
The duke invited him. and an official OF
the royal household dropped fin to see IL
the castle was the right kind OF a place
for his majesty 20 visit
The official liked the castle SO much
that he found only one suggestion 70
make A private entrance must be cut
through one side for Edwards especial
use. The new entrance and the internal
alterations Il involved cost $0lCI9.
Edwards ToGSery Grows FIashy.
King Edward has been creating con-
sternation lately by his extraordinary
attire Half a dozen times this season he
has appeared at social functions in
blue frock coat. a blue satin tie. a fancy
vest with a white slip. a red rose. brown
kid gloves. and trousers Of a vehement
check No one has yet initiated these