New-York tribune., 1910-02-21
TAXATION OF ROYALTY

TAXATION OF ROYALTY
Although the Duchy of Sake Meiningen is
one of the smallest and most insignificant
of the score or so of sovereign states COM
prised in the confederation known as the
German Empire, yet it is taking at present
the lead in movement extending far be
yond its borders and likely to spread 10
ali the monarchical countries Of Europe
1t is tie question of the repeal or tiS
prerogative which the reignng houses have
until now enjoyed-of exemption from IAN
alton. The Duke Of SAKE MeininGen IS the
largest land owner and the richest citizen
of his duchy, and the ma jority OF the leg
islature, in which the radical element pre-
dominates and socialism is very largely
represented. absolutely declines TO vote lH'
money required for the increase or the
emoIuments of the miserably paid officials
of the government until the duke consents
to submit his extensive real estate and
other property to taxation. A full-hedged
fight is therefore in progress between the
parliament of Saxe-Meiningen and the ruler
Of the duchy, and, thanks to the cleverness
of the former. there Is not a government
official in the duchy, high or low. who does
not attribute his straitaned circumstances
and his pecuniary difficulties TO the selfish
greed of his sovereign in refusing to sub
NIT TO taxation
II the duke as expected. is eventually
obliged to yield. other monarchs in Ger
many as we'll as elsewhere will be com
PEELED to follow suit and to abandon their
right of exemption from taxation, which
dates from the time when imposts were
levied solely for the maintenance or the
crown. NOWADAYS taxes are levied for the
benefit OF the people, constituting sort OF
contribution for the common veal ana
hence there is q good deal OF ground Tor
the argument that emperors. kings anu
reignine princes should show their patriot
ism and their fellow feeling for their coun-
trymen by a voluntary surrender of the
medieval immunity from taxation which
they now enjoy In England. as on the
Continent. the sovereign and the members
of the rcigning house are exempt from any
kind of tax. and If King Edward has de-
clined TO avail himself Of the privilege
which he like all other rulers. has en-
loved until now. of importing from abroad
wines. spirits and tobacco free of duty,
and has given orders that the tax Is to be
nsid by the Lord Stewards department in
all cases il is from motives of patriotism
and policy. As the royal cellars are OF
enormous extent. and as, moreover, the
consumption of costly tobacco at court Is
extremely large, She Kings surrender or
his prerogatives in this respect means
considers bic addition to the yearly reNe-
nues Of the Customs Department, and few
things have created a better impression
among the masses than that the monarch
should OF his own accord waive his I'M
munity from fiscal obligations and vol
unfairly take on himself the same bur
dens of contribution to the revenues or
the state as the hunblest of his subjects,
Until King Edward issued this order
the dues were not merely RENTED OF the
goods imported for the royal use direct,
but wine dealers or tobacconsts who sold
goods TO the royal household on which
they had already paid duty could always
obtain an order from the Master of the
Household or from the Lord Steward. on
the strength of which they We're able 10
recover from the Customs Department the
taxes which had been already paid
Largely owing TO this wise move on the
part of the King there has been no such
agitation in England as there is in the
rnonarchical countries Of Continental
Europe for the subjection of the mem
hers of the reignins house to taxation. In
Germany, in Austria and in Russia the
reiening families possess. either as crown
or rs private property, considerable
share Of the land, arabic, forest and
urban which, as such, escapes all taxa
ton and renders the imposts and ratings
on the petty holdings Of the peasantry'
Dettv farmers and small househoiders
more onerous- Sooner or lates the mon
archs will be compelled to surrender this
immunity It would he wise IL they were
to do so of their own accord, and that.
too. as soon as possible, since it would
deprive socialism of ono of IFS principal
arguments in favor Of the abolition of
royalty.
MtRQUISE DE FONTENOY.