The Washington times., 1910-05-08
KING GEORGE V TAKES UP
HIS HEAVY BURDEN.


King George Y has taken up his heavy
burden That he has done so with a
deep sense Of the tremendous responsi-
bilities resting on him Is apparent from
the nature of his address in the presence
of the Privy council, when he was for
maIly proclaimed King In this ad
dress he has not, however, shed much
light on the grave question OF what
viii be his policies. He has only said
that ne VIII endeavor 10 follow in King
Edwards footsteps. and that the earn
est object OF his life VIII be "to uphold
the constitutional government OF these
real Inns
It Is nowise beyond the truth to say
that on the path which Re shall pursue
more than ON any other living ruler de-
Pends the question of what shall be
done as to eif-government and what
shall be the course of international
events Tae new ruler can do much 70
further the cause of more liberal gov
eminent In the United Kingdom; and
the developments IN matters OF gov
ernment there VIII inevitably be re-
fected In the English-speaking world.
He doubtless has 1t his hands 70
maintain the peace of Europe, OF, If he
has not the power TO 10 this, he has 1t
in his hands to bring On the catacIysm
between England an! Germany. the
dread of which has long hung over
not only those two nations but the
entire civilized world.
II VIII be easy for an intolerant
king TO fan ii flame OF dissatisfaction,
even OF revolution in the internal
politics of the United Kingdom If ne
attempts tc stand in the way Of that
progressive II uovement that Is strong IN
the commons but which the lords are
fighting bite " Il Is worth while TO
recall the hel5ef OF King Edward that
he would be the last King Of England.
The way is not as long as many might
f believe from an English constitutional
monarchy TO an English republic. King
/ George Is a conservative. unless ne Is
most radically misrepresented. and
there are misCiviugs lest he allow his
/ conservatism TO ,ead him into the
wrong path in The e-,sting English
[ political crisis
As TO international affairs. with the
I growing jealousy between England and
( Germany, with Germany making great
strides in the upbuiiding OF navy, with
/ some elements IN England insisting that
/ England must strike Germany before
I the German navy gets too powerful and
with German trade and industry max
/ ing large fnroads on the fields Of British
I commerce and British business. 1t viii
/ require a level head to steer the ship
Of state through peaceful waters And
II Is to be remembered that George Is
naval officer, that he shares the
[ traditions OF the English navy, and
that he Is no lover Of the Germans.
He Is. indeed. accused Of having a
deep dislike and hatred for the Ger
I man nation
Under such circumstances as these It
would be strange If wise men did not
shake their heads IT dosty over the out
look as King George - takes his seat
( upon the throne
But 1t Is worth while TO remember
that it Is not easy 10 tel what sort OF
a king a prince viii make That prince
vino developed into +he greatest king
and greatest soldier II his generation
Frederick the Great, was a mild man
nered and disappointing young man
who played the flute. wrote poetry, and
/ had some bad habits. When Edward
succeeded Victoria there were many
Iominou5 predictions, which were happily
not fulfilled So It may prove TO b
with King George, who, as Prince ot
Wales, has been quiet, unassuming, ans
little known either to the world or hi.
own people