The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-05-15
IBUUOPE'S PEGCUMAKEU CONE.
EDWARDS DEATH MOMENTOUS
Also ~ BRITISH POLITICS.

I
Ne WOula Have HefasaSl % Create Peers
n 0rdeF % Fagee AsquithG Pallsy
Through PAFiiamcnt-h George v.
Weak?-kalser and Ne GSSd Fgisnds.
sBsSiai Cabis DsspaicA 10 TIE sun.
LONHoN. May A-LAw and tradition
have reduced almost 10 a nullity tbs
political power and influence Of the Brit
iah Sovereign. Such a. least 10 the theory
Of the British Constitution. A change
Of personality in the Wearer Of the British
crown should therefore be . matter Of
small importance politically 10 England
and the world. The utter falsity Of this
assumption IL the fact which impresses
every Englishman at the present moment
more foFcibly than all others The death
Of King Edward will have a greater effect
on the immediate destinies Of peace
than any personal event with possibly
the exception Of the demise Of the German
Emperor
Only those intimately acquainted with
both the written and unWritten political
history Of the last nine years know how
great q figure was Edward in controlling
great issues in . time Of an international
crisis Of the first magnitude. His in
husnce was the more conspicuous. per-
hAps, because British public life contains
to-day no Statesmen in either party Of
mora than mediocre ability.
This makes EnglAnd's senss Of loss
the keensF Never in modern times have
the diIlcultiss and dangers which con-
front the empire been discussed among
Enghshmsn with greater anxiety than
during the last week. The press Of course
has not voiced the popular fears and fore
bOdingA Il never does In q serious crisis.
The political opinions Of the British
people nevertheless have been in the
melting pot since the news came from the
royal death chamber last Friday a. mid
night.
The fears Of war which had been lulled
by the uneventfulness Of the last few
months are being reestimated. The
Parliamentary constitutional crisis, which
vas regarded without alarm a. long e.
King Edward was here 20 deal with Il.
has suddenly doomed INTO the grave pro-
portions Il merits.
There can he no doubt that the general
sRect Of this searching Of hearts has been
toward conservatism in the non-political
sense Of the word. This effect would be
greatly enhanced II one fact we're known.
which IL now for the frst time made pub
he. namely that King Edward would at
he proper time have refused the demand
which the present Government intended
making for the creation Of a sufficient
number Of peers 10 enable the enforce
ment % lie declared programme Of vir-
tually a single chamber Legislature
This was known 10 limited number II
90 both sides Of the House Of
Commons before the Hinge death. II will
probably be made public authodtatively
alter. when the Government revives lie
policy after the period Of truce has eE-
pired. This ElOns would sufice 10 insure
Ire overwhelming defeat Of the present
Government when the question reached
az tho polls.
Il 10 significant also that the Radical
saderB expect even lees from King
leorge than from King Edward. The
latuFai esndencies Of the nsW Sovereign
ire far from radical or sooialistic. His |
'ritiH say his conservatism a. the result
Z narrOwhsss and weakness. It's no
lss 20 pretend that he poa~ssses tho broad, I
qualities % his father. He
ever possessed the slightest ambition |
or the kineship. II IL even an open -
ret that he strOve more than once 60 -.
ape the role for which heredity cast him. |
ie IL well intentiOned. amiablo and not |
aoking in common sense and native 1
.bility. 10 which has been added all the I
dyantaRs Of fine training: but his tastes |
re domestic He dislikes publicity and |
he conspicuousness Of his new pre- !
ogatives. He UOuld he happy 20 live 4
he life Of country squire.
Already u ia a common saying that /
queen Mary will exercise all the social /
,owsrs which appertain TO the throne
nd will have a strong influence a. well in
fairs Of state This is an unfair sEag-
-eratiOn. but IL goes without saying that |
hs new court will be very different
rom that Of King Edward Several
figures will disappear and the
curt Of King George will bear a closer
sasmblance 70 that Of Queen Victoria
Now that King Edward 10 gone. Il 10
,ossble 10 give some hint Of the para
OHical effect Of his death His influence
q ell the world knows. was more power
ul for peace than that Of any man Of
modern times. yet curiously enough his
eath removes one cause Of friction be-
ween England and Germany certain
ersOnal antagonism existed betWe-li
ling Edward and the Kaiser since til
litter came 70 the throne The persoi Al
citations Of Emperor William and King
leorge are the friendliest Il must not
e imagined however that this lie a matter
{ any decisive influence upon Anglo
'erman relations Such factors no longer
ecide questions Of peace OF war. and the
erman policy. whatever its designs. will
OF seriously be affected by King Edwards
cath