Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-10

Edward VII by the grace OF God, OF the
united kingdom Of Great Britain and Ire
land, and Of the British dominions beyond
tho seas, king, defender Of the faith, EN-
peror Of India, is today 6s years old. He
was born at Buckingham palace on Nov
ember 3, 1871, the first son Of Queen Vic
torta and the prince consort. He was bap-
tiled and christened Albert Edward, in st.
Georges Chapel, Windsor, on January Is,
1870. II is not without peculiar interest to
recall the fact that King Frederick VIII
liam OF Prussia came to England to be
godfather to the infant prince Of wales.
That Prussian kings son married King
Edwards eldest sister. the princess royal,
and she was the mother Of the present
Kaiser William IL
Albert Edward, prince Of Wales, came to
the throne upon the death of his mother,
January %, 1901, under the name Of ed
ward VII. He was then 90 years old, and,
as the prince Of Wales, had long held a
position of commanding social prominence
throughout the world. He had cultivated
the social graces, he was the arbiter ele-
gantorum in the world Of fashion, and he
was known as the first gentleman Of Eu-
rope. He had laid more cornerstones.
planted more trees, presided at more ban
quets, and made more conventional
speeches than any other man alive. But
all the time he was the prince Of Wales,
and his individuality was obscured by the
shadow of the throne, upon which sat his
regal and imperial mother.
Therefore, in spite OF his long career as
prince OF Wales, Edward VII, as king and
emperor has furnished the political world
with one Of the greatest surprises Of mod
ern history. King Edward, more than any
other monarch of modern days, has ruled
as we'll as reigned. The British people will
not brook the interference OF the crown
in party politics, and Edward has respected
the tradition which prohibits the king from
active participation in internal political
controversies.
But from the moment that he became
King, Edward has taken an influential part
in the foreign affairs of his realm. When
he came to the throne England was en-
gagged In a war with the South African
republics. II was the most expensive and
disastrous conflict England has ever ex-
perlenced. Not only was It a gigantic
task to defeat the Beers, but England
found that In that war She had little SYM
pathy among the powers. The people OF
continental Europe and Of the United
States we're for the most part strong partl-
sans OF the Beers. Edward was not blind
to this condition Of affairs.
During his eight years on the throne
that war was brought to a victorious con-
clusion, and the South Africans have been
granted a constitution which makes them
one of the great self-governing and
equal nations OF the British en-
pire. During all Of those eight years King
Edward has looked forward to what Seems
to be the inevitable conflict between Eng.
land and Germany. with that possible
clash always in mind, the king has labored
~assiduously to build up friendship in al
parts Of the world. The japanese alliance
the granddaughter entente cordiale, the
matrimonial alliance with Spain. the hare
and fast secret treaty with Partugal, this
Increased British Influence in Turkey, tn,
. new cordially between England and Rus
STA, and the strengthening OF the ties be
tween Great Britain and the scandinavian
nation are the results, in larger part, o
he skillful diplomacy Of Edward VII.
II England is saved the blood and treas
ure which will be spilled If there is wa
n with Germany, 1t will be by reason Of thi
system Of sympthetic alliances and under
standings which has been built up by tn
king. II his efforts to prevent war b.
means Of bringing the family Of nation
into closer relations are successful and
by these means the great problems whic
now engage the minds of European states
men are solved peaceably, then Edwar
VII will be entitled to be called, in a
future history. Edward the Great"
Very recently the king has. for the firs
time. undertaken to use his skill In diplom
acy to prevent a great internal party bal
tie which might have the effect Of chang
ing the British constitution. In the peno
ing contest up on the budget, the Hous
OF Lords and the House c. Commons az
Rrraying In direct opposition II the bulge
as prepared by the liberal government
amended or rejected by the lords, agits
tlon for the abolition OF the House
Lords will at once dwarf every other polit
cal Issue In England. II the lords shoul
reject the budget. and II on appeal to II
country the action OF the lords shoul
be sustained, then the lords would be COZ
firmed in the right to amend or veto lesi
lation affecting taxation and eXpenditur
II the present quarrel between the con
mons and the lords goes 10 the countr
whatever may be the outcome, the Brl
ish constitution may be essentially change
Either the lords viii be abolished or thu
VIII be given the right to shape legisl
ton upon questions OF taxation.