The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-28
By Ex-ATTAoHE.

by
No credence need be accorded to the
reports emanating from Berlin, accord
ing to which the Kaiser has resolved to
surrender the title and the duties Of King
of Prussia to his eldest son. retaining
for himself the dignityS OF Emperor. II
has been asserted that he has been promt-
ed to take this step by considerations Of
health
But those responsible for these stories
are evidently unmindful OF the fact that
the dignity Of German Emperor is in
separable from that Of King Of Prussia
and, that II the Kaiser abdicated his
crown as King on Prussia. he would.
ipso faoto, cease to be German Emperor.
Article XI, OF the constitution OF the
empire makes this entirely clear, and
provides that no one else but the King
of Prussia shall be President OF the con-
federation Of sovereign states comprised
in the German. empire, or shall hold the
title OF GermSh Emperor
While william II values this title of
German Emperor, as did his father. EN-
peror Frederick. the old Kaiser did not
attach much Importance thereto. and re-
Trained. when possible. from using it,
He was want TO refer to his consort, not
as the Empress" but as the Queen"
and on one occasion at a court ball, at
Berlin. he remarked to several Of the
guests. how mild the weather was for
the time OF the year. adding that the
Queen had brought him that morning
some violets which she had plucked."
The then crown prince happened 10 be
standing near. and remarked instantly.
referring to his mother. Yes. the EN-
press told me about them" to which his
father retorted, when did you see the
Queen?'
In this connection It may be mentioned
that considerable pressure is being
brought to bear upon King George to
assume the title OF British Emperor on
the occasion Of his coronation. in June
next. on the ground that his style OF
King OF England. does not really con
vey the idea that he is ruler Of the
greatest empire OF the universe
Joseph Chamberlain. when secretary OF
state for the colonies. was anxious that
this step should be taken eight years ago
by Edward VII. with a view OF empha-
sizing the connection between the Crown
and the colonial dependencies Of Great
Britain. but was unable TO accomplish his
aim, owing, Il Is said. to the opposition
OF the late Lord Salisbury, then premier.
Perhaps the present movement may
prove more successful George V is
more deeply interested in the oversee
dependencies Of Great Britain than any
Of his predecessors on the throne.
He has visited nearly every one Of
them. not once but on several occasions.
is personally acquainted with their lead
ing statesmen, and has caused Il 10 be
known that he wishes his reign to be
noted above everything else, for the de-
velopment OF the colonies and for the
Strengthening OF the ties OF interest and
affection that bind them 10 the mother
country.
This being the case. and the late Lord
Salisbury having been gathered TO his
fathers. It is possible that George may
yield TO the recommendations OF Lord
Strathcona and OF Lord Mountstephen.
who are known 10 be in favor Of the
movement. and who are accounted among
his most intimate friends and most trust
ed counselors. and may avail himself Of
his coronation next year TO assume, Cor
himself and his successors on the throne.
the title OF Emperor OF the British"
Parliament has no voice in the matter.
For If It was able 10 bestow upon Queen
Victoria the title Of Empress OF India. at
the instance OF Lord BeaconsheId. It was
because India remains subject 10 Par
lament at Westminster: whereas Cana
da' Australia, New Zealand. and South
Africa are virtually independent there
OF. and self-governing. the only ties be-
tween them and the mother country be-
ing. first and foremost. their loyalty 10
the Crown. and, secondly, the right Of
appeal from all colonial courts OF Justice.
not TO any English tribunal but to the
sovereign OF the whole British empire
and his privy council, which ne recruits
from all portions of his vast domain.
All that It would be necessary for
George V to do, when assuming the title
OF Emperor Of the British. would be 10