The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-07
Former Prince Albert AScends
to Throne at Crucial Period
of English Affairs
STATESMEN FEAR
HE LACKS GRASP
TO AVOID CHAOS
British Press Merely Express
Hope That Ability May De-
velop to Meet Opportunity.
New Sovereign Not Pop
ular and Queen Consort
Decidedly Unpopular.

LONDON. May Ills voice chok-
ing with emotion and his cheeks wet
with tears. King George the Fifth took
the oath as the retsning monarch in
succession to the late King Edward
At O'clock this afternoon at st.
James Palace.
The scene presented Il strange an
oYilaiy. uapreeented In its brillian4Y
and only equalied in the grief that
possessed those who witnessed the
exercises nine years ago. when the
dead king succeeded his revered
mother the late Queen Victoria.
The new king in his speech of ac-
Geptance, IL such IL might be called.
made eeseral touching illusions to he
father OF whom he had just been, be-
rert and to the trying circumstances
under which he was being called 10
the throne.
failed him several times. and tears
streamed from his eyes, once II seem
ed that he would break down, but
by great effort he collected him
self and finished his address. The
spectators wept from grief. furnish
Ing u strange contrast TO the cheers
that greeted the king as he rode 80
and from the palace. The ceremony
oi swearing in the new king was re-
gun by the firing OF the royal salute
OF lel guns. which was concluded tus.
as the king finished his speech. The
administering or the oath and the
speech OF the king were to have be- IA
followed by the reading OF the royai
proclamation from the quadrangle Of
the palace. the proclamation having
bean prepared by the PFivy Councti
Owing to the lateness OF the hour
however, the proclamation was post
pancd until Monday morning at y
oetock. THIS proclamation reads AS
follows:
A. soon as the oaths had been adj
administered. the Privy Council. accom-
panied by fabarded heralds, and head
"a BY the king ~ afms Of the knights
~ the Carter. Sir Alfred Scott lsatty.
appeared In the quadrangle OF the pal
ace and Sir Scott Gatty read the fol-
lCwfnE proclamation:
Tune Honcrsd Resolution.
Whereas, II has pleased Almighty
God 10 call In His mercy our late SOW
<reiEn. King Edward. OF blessed and
glorious memory. from whose decease
the imperial crown of Great Britain and
Ireland solely and rightfully comes to
the high and mighty Prince George:
We. therefore. as lor.ss of the spir-
ttual and temporal realm. being here
assisted by these members OF his late
Nlh 2qy's Privy Council, with num-
befs of other principal gentlemen of
quality, and with the lord mayor, al
derrnen and citizens of London. hereby
with ore voice consent. and with tongue
and heart publish and proclaim that
the high and mighty Prince George.
llcw by the death OF our late sovereign
Of happy memory. becomes our only
rtghtfM iiege lord. George ". by the
grace OF God. OF the United Kingdom
Of Great Britain and Ireland and OF
the British dominions beyond the
seas. king, defender of the faith, and
emperor OF India. toward whom we
acknowledge all faith and constant
obedience. and with all hearty and
humble affection heseechtng God,
through whom kings and queens reign.
10 bless the royoi King George with
hong and happy years to reign over US.
Given AT the Court OF st. James
IN this, the seventh day OF May. 1910"
.'0od Save this King"
A fanfare from the heralds followed.
the troops drawn up about the palace
bright their arms TO present, and, on
signal from the king at -arms, the en-
tire assemblage shouted, God save the
king."
The bands struck up the national
anthem, while battery Of artillery,
parked on the adjoining terrace. fired
eth royal salute. The hera1ds. accom-
Ganied by trumpeters and an escort
I'm the Royal Life Guards. next Wis
Ned Charing Cross, Temple Bar. Wood
street and the Royal Exchange. where
the proclamation was repeated.
Government on Trial.
With King Georges taking of the
oath Of ONCE this afternoon monar-
chtAi government OF Great Britain
goes on trial for Its life. British
statesmen OF the first magnitude sec
to-day In the national gloom the out
HnrE Of an historic crixis. inter-
mingled with the nations sorrow in
the death OF King Edward In q deep
sounding note Of alarm. King George
assumes his duties under the most
adverse ctrs Utnsfances.
Should his hand not be strong
snouyh TO WELD tho sceptre It u ad-
xA3t4Sd by nhlicists to-day that the
passing Of the monarchy In England
nlbility.
With questions OF the utmost mo-
Sneat both at home and abroad
urOwdsnR Ease upon him King Geofs.
love, respect or support possessed by
- father or his grandmother, Queen
victoria.
The present cabinet Il openly and
Eooognlzedly not in sympathy with the
~ known views Of the new king.
Tho problem Of the supremacy OF
The HOUSE OF Lords cr OF the House
raorarch. Grave Continental ques-
lions, admittedly Of the utmost DELI
cax;x bnnansA II the Axtt. Iritish feef-
lne N Germany. with require his early
E0nntter1tton. Probably the best
kn0wn Characteristic OF tho new