New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-06-07
THE KINGS DIPLOMACY
Modern Rulers Trustees of the
Worlds Peace.

London, May -.
King Edwards supremacy in European diplo-
macy is now unchalenged. Whether he receives
the French President with splendid state or
plans meeting with the Emperor of Russia in
q Baltic port, he is the most conspicuous figure
on the European stage; yet he never deliberately
takes the central position and ne is always free
from the reproach of self advertisement This
week he is the master of international festivi-
1ies, carrying out with great care and incom-
parable tact a programme of peace with honor
more effective and practical than the melodra-
matte. policy which Lord Beaconsfed brought
hack from the Congress of Berlin with grand
flourish Of cymbals. The resources Of royalty
are lavishly employed in the reception Of the
French President. and nothing that can impart
either the glamour Of distinction or the spirit Of
cordiality to friendship with the republic is
omitted. Within three weeks he will be the
peacemaker in the Baltic, exchanging compli-
ments and renewing pledges OF amity with the
chief ally of France. Yet 1t is barely six months
since he received the German Emperor at Wind
sor with splendor Of state1ness which had not
been rivalled either in his own or during the
Victorian reign.
II is true without doubt that these exchanges
of neighborly good feeling between King Edward
and foreign rulers have become the most useful
and significant events in European history. The
influence of them is more important than mill
fary rnaneuvres on the Continent or the mass
ing Of powerful squadrons in the Atlantic or in
the North Sea The assurances Of a peaceabie
entente counteract the menace of preparations
for war The King sets the style for the CONT
nent as well as for England AS he adapts him
self to situations by his hexibility and bon
homie so nations overcome their suspicious and
resentful feeling and accommodate themselves
to one another's defects and virtues He has a
subtle COZ ',ension OF the forces Of public
opinion on each side Of the Channel. He de-
ferred the welcome TO the German Emperor until
there was no risk of exciting either jealousy
in France or sullen discomfort in England; and
he has followed it with demonstration Of good
viii for France and Russia which will not be
resented in Germany. He is tolerant and mag
unanimous himself. and is helping TO make ma
tons more generous and openminded in their
relations with another. Rivalry in arma-
rnents by sea and land is little better than a
spent force when there is constant recurrence
of compliments and hospitality TO rulers and
tributes Of admiration to the nations and gov
ernments behind them
When King Edward returns in June from
Russia he will have visited during his reign all
the important countries on the Continent except
Belgium and Switzerland, and have exchanged
courtesies with all the rulers except the Sultan
and the Balkan sovereigns. BY these journeys
and hospitable receptions and by a series of
royal marriages he has increased the prestige
of England in Europe: yet everything has been
managed with so much clevernesS and dexterity
that neither resentment nor envy has been ex-
cited. No other sovereign has succeeded equally
well in securing immunity from criticism and
ridicule He is never caricatured in public
prints nor misunderstood and lampooned by
rancorous journalists. His power and influence
have steadily increased, but his good faith,
31eaceable disposition and sagacity are never
questioned. Moreover. he works as far as pos
sible without observation and makes no display
OF his diplomatic achievements and ceaseless
activity Resistance TO his methods and objects
Is rninrnized by his own reticence and self
effaoement- New alliances. based on sea power.
have been formed; former enemies, Russia and
France, have been reconciled; good feeling with
Germany has been promoted and the balance
OF power in European relations, has been read
5usted. The royal diplonatist mainly RESPONSE
bic for these farreachlng results has been con-
tent 10 work in silence for the peace Of the
world.
While the Kings influence is powerfully ex-
erted in foreign affairs, the prerogatives of the
Crown are not strained There favorites
in Office or in opposition with whom the SOW
erejen is in confidential relations. He does not
set one minister against another, nor force his
will upon the Foreign ONCE He works as well
with one government with another, confers
with Sir Edward Grey easily he did with
Lord LansdoWne and exerts commanding infiu-
ence in a wholly constitutional way. There has
not been hint of any interference with the free
dom and independence of ministers during the
present reign. The King not only represents the
conditions OF highminded. pacific diplo-
macy, but also carries into practice the fexi-
bty and tact of accomplished man Of the
world. He writes few letters, abstains from
controversy and meddlesorne criticism. and i'm
parts unity and conciIiatory spirit to the d.
plomacy Of the reign.
Town shows always popular. Londoners
are entertained by the pageantry Of these visits
Of foreign sovereigns and rulers and hattered by
the evidence that their capital is the most brill
iant and influential in Europe The Court
Circular at such times is enlarged and dignifed
es record of state events and is the most in
teresting serial Of the day. The streets are dec
GRATED; thousands OF spectators wait for hours
along the professional routes for a momentarv
glimpse OF royal carriages and mounted escorts
and the capital is pervaded with feeling OF
pleasurable excitement and gayety There were
similar Anglo-French fetes half a century ago
when Queen Victoria made a conquest of Paris