New-York tribune., 1910-05-08
THE KINGS DEATH A
SHOCK TO nation
England Begins Slowly to Ad-
Just Herself to New
Conditions.
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK
New Ruler Overshadowed by
Father = General Elections
Probably Postponed-Plans
for the Funeral.
[By cable to The Trlbune.I ]

London, May This startled nation
scarcely comprehcnds that the end of a
great reign has come So vital a figure
has Edward VII been. so human in his
sympathies. so attractive IN the charm
of his personality and restrained force.
So influential in widening the national
sphere of activities. that Englishmen
find il difficult to realize that he lies cold
in death and that mis- son reigns in the
place of his beloved father. even with
bells toIling. newspapers in black bor-
ders and signs of public mourning in
the streets. The people speak of him
as though he were still the master of
the palace. the high minded sovereign OF
a Worldwide empire and the most states
manlike of royal dipIomatists. So sud-
denly has the shock come that men are
dazed and talk in whispers. as though
they were awakening from disOrdered
dream.
Yet the traditions Of royalty are fol-
lowed with scrupulouS precision The
official tldings OF the soyereiSn's death
from the Prince of Wales and the Home
Secretary have been followed by the
passing of the sceptre, the proclamation
OF new King al St James's Palace and
the session Of the Privy Council for the
ratification of the accession Of George v
The Dead Kings Character.
The old order has passed and a new
reign has opened. and an amazed and
saddened nation begins slowly to under
stand what has happened a sense or
historic perspective and proportion is
lacking. so that critical estimates OF
King Edwards services as an empire
builder dipIomatfst. and Peaceunaker
cannot be formed. The death of the
beloved sovereign is lamented as though
il were a personal loss. The rnOmentous
influence exerted by him in drawing
England out of q position Of isolation IN
Europe. readjusting the balance OF power
on the Continent and in the Far East
and in hypnOtizing both friendly ana
hostile nations by communicating 70
them his own ccnciliatory spirit IS I'M
perfectIv understood. What every man
knows in his heart is that King Edward.
while an expert in etiquette and eeFe-
rroniaL was a master workman ia ehe
nrorressfve world, and that accepting
his power as moral trust he made a
really great thing Of his life and his
reign
Possibly from habit men are talking
first about the political effects or the
Kings death Many cannot cease TO be
partisans and are reproachins the Radi-
cal ministers with increasing the Kings
anxieties during The last few weeks and
Fastening his end. These taunts are
matched bv the countercharge that the
Lords excited the royal resentment by
throwing out the budget against the
Kings advice
a Blow 20 Political Strife.
These outbreaks OF partisanship are
co,1rteracted by the public reroh against
noIftics in the presence Of a national
calamity. Death. like an unmannerly
stage manager. has rung down the cur
Trim ,,f a sovereign life at the mohivlil
when the politicians we're WranSiihS
over the prercg4Iive OF the crown ana
the privileges of The rival leElslatlVe
houses The only great Engllshm2n
possessing the tact. patience and author
itv for acting as arbiter between Iile
rarties and arranging compromise VI
the constitutional order has suddenly
beer stricken down, There is among
moderate men an immediate recognition
81 tne fact that English fair play to"aru
b;s successor. requires a temporary ees
sation from party Conflicts
King Edward would probably nave
found intervention between the ministers
o,,d The oprositionL to be tEankless anu
,,,,DossibIa task. The grim spectre or
death NAV be a more successful con-
ofIfa+or There will be the necessary
legislative business in connection VIII
+ta accession OF the new sovereign ari
the ARRANGEMENT of the civil lists IHe'S
will also be a general disposition aI'ohs
men Of all PARTIES to give an ineXperi-
enra1 King. overwhelmed with srle4'
time 70 adapt himself TO new condiu0nS
before being confronted with a eoIlSti'd-
,tcna1 crisis and necessity for decia'as
whether he will promise guarantees Ior
che creation of five hurdred peers and
-..ori,,ey a settlement Of the veto ques-
ton
wsiaflty Issues in Abeyance.
,.are,.ai elections are not likely 10 hap
ro, nrernatureIy in the new reign. ana
tre prospect for Z. statesula Mike COM
v,ror,fse has frightened The diSeussioa
of the veto resolutions win probably pc
,,aserred. and there ray be a temporary
aorsement between the government ana
H. Oppositionsby which second ana
,,rcontrove versiaI budget may be rapidly
,,assed and the constitutional crisis oe
deferred TO next year
George V. for whom prayers VIII De or
fsred in the churches cf the realm by ons
- the earliest acts Of the Privy Council.
,as been overshadowed by the brilliant
,.-soralitv of his faith and possioisS
Moderated. These who have known him
i,tiu,ate!v have always declared that the
ration would haze Ereat surprise when
ba came 10 the throne.
The new sovereign has taken less inter-
ast in smart society than his father had
dome as Prince of Wales. but he has !
studious mind. high ideals of the royal
obligation and ample reserves OF tacF for
the MANAGEMENT Of men Henry White
predicted nine years ago that George
would be a wise, conciliatory and sue
cessfuI monarch. He viii set out. Ike MS
H. xxrftFt q raSOlyYra deter