The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-12
KING EDWARD AIDED
IN PREVENTING WAR
Effect of Death Upon Europe
Remains a Problem
ONLY TIME WILL TELL
Gcrnany's Growing Power md Frances
Troubles In Africa as Well as
Other Factors still Cause
Much Disquietude
ONLY TIME WILL TELL

London, May 9.-lSpecial.) -What was
the effect of the death of Edward, the
Peacemaker, on. the relations between
the great nations of the world? That
question is being asked, not only in Lon
don. but in every capital of the world
Only time can give the answer.
That Edward VII has been one of the
most powerful factors in maintaining
the peace of the world for the past 1C
years is not questioned
He has by his fine tact and splendid
diplomacy. on more than one OCCASION
relieved tension between nations which
had come dangerously near the breaking
point.
nc him can be attributed in very large
degree the intente cordiale between Great
Britain and France. The credit for the
bringing of lasting peace to South
AZ a after the Boer war is largely his
he, .ucceeded in placing the relations
between England and Russia on more
friendly basis than they had been since
| those two powers came in contact il
| tho east.
| In the dangerous crisis over Morocco
| when the contentious of Germany an,
France over the ancient African king
dom had brought Europe almost to thu
| verge of general war; King Edward
played a most important part in bring
ing about n peaceful settlement.
| When king Edward assembled the
throne, Great Britain had for years beer
linked, practically If not officially, with
| the triple alliance of Germany, Aus
| tria and Italy. Germany, through this
alliance, was fast becoming the domi-
rant power in Europe.
Great Britain began to feel grave dis
ouictude at the growth of the new naya
| power in the North Sea.
King Edward, more farseeing than his
reople. who only thought of an increased
armament to offset the growing menace
east about for means to prevent the pos
sibility of a conflict, due to the cause
The task before him was the old task
Of British craftsmanship of seeking in
he balance of power a security against
invasion.
The understanding with Russia and
France brought this about, the alliance
with Japan securing England in the FAR
east and the friendship of the United
states, seduously cultivated, making the
European situation still more secure.
In furtherance of his peace campaign,
King Edward visited and entertained
practically all official heads OF Euro
pean states. These interviews result
ed in the almost universal adoption OF
arbitration.
At The Hague conference OF l9o1 a
substantial step toward obligatory ar
bitration was accomplished. Treaties
pledging the powers to respect the
status quo anu in some cases to defend
it were also concluded on an unpre-
cedently large scale. In the main they
covered almost all the danger spoti
| In Europe, Asia and Africa. Though
Germany officially resisted the progress
of the campaign for the limitation OF
ornaments it is understood that during
King Edwards visit 10 the Kaiser al
Cronberg in 1908 the question was dis
cussed by the two monarchs In friend
| ly and hopeful spirit.
| The growing change in German pub
| lie opinion on this vital point is re-
garded as one of the most significant
successes of Edwards career