El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-05-07

the kings death was flashed and today
flags are floating at half mast, the
world over on British territory. Be-
sides the social gloom which the king
death casts over England, several i'm
portant and long planned official events
must be abandoned. The prince and
princess of Wales were TO so to South
Africa with the squadron, and the prince
was to open the first parliament of the
new confederation, but his accession
to the throne will now prevent this.
The death of his majesty will also
mean the abandonment of the principal
functions of eX-president Roosevelts
tour. The official receptions, with the
court in mourning, and the embassy
the presentation of the freedom of the
city and the luncheon at the Guild Hall
probably will be given up.
New Era of Social Legislation.
Politically king Edwards reign has
been chiefly notable for the Inaugural
ton of new era of social legislation
for the benefit of the people which fol-
lowed the return of the Liberals to
power, after a long conservative re-
gime
Edwards reign closes at a period of
great political unrest with q large sec
fion of the community vigorously op-
croaching on the privileges, of the lands
Of the aristOcratic classes and with the
heated question of the legislation on
the house of lords, tariff, reform and
home rule unsettled.
The king was born in 1871 and was
the second child and eldest son Of
queen Victoria and the prince consort
Albert He would have been SO years
old next Nov. 9. He succeeded his
mother on the throne Jan. %, 1901, when
so years of age
The king was married to princess
Alexandra Caroline Mary Charlotte
Louisa Julia, eldest daughter of king
Christian *, of Denmark
Prince George Frederick Ernest Al
bert, prince of Wales. who becomes
king, was born June 3, 1866. He was
the kings second son, but the fret
son. prince Albert Victor Christian Ed
ward. the real heir to the throne. died
Jan IA, 1892
The new king was married to princess
Mary Of Teck, July s. 1898. HIS is IS
years OF age.
Uncle OF All Europe
Edward has accomplished the greater
part of his diplomatic work by direct
contact with the people of the CONT.
mental European nations. He was "the
uncle Of all Europe" and he tried to
be like the good uncle of the fairy
story. He spent much of his time upon
the continent, where he was extremely
popular. He is really related to almost
every European family and Ia uncle
TO the kaiser OF Germany.
In this connection it Is interesting
to recall his only visit to America.
When he was lad of Is he was sent
by his royal mother to Canada to lay
the foundation stone of the parliament
house at Ottawa The Canadians had
asked that the queen pay them a visit.
This was deemed ineXpedient and the
young prince OF Wales was sent 10
represent the queen When the visit
was announced president James Buchan-
an, on the Fourth of July, 1860, adj
dressed an invitation to queen Victoria
asking that her son also visit the
United States
In company with the duke of New
castle, then secretary of state for the
colonies. the young prince came 20
Canada.
His American Visit.
He came into the United States at De-
froit, but upon crossing into American
territory he dropped his royal preroga-
tives and assumed his inferior title of
baron Renfrew. The English CORE
spondents who accompanied him were
very severe in their criticisms Of the