The Washington herald., 1911-01-31
The Private Letters of King George.

II caused a good bit of talk when II
became known in court circles the other
day that King George of England has
had quite a number of special keys made
for two bureaus containing not only his
personal papers, but n large aggrega ton
Of the late Kings private correspond
ence. as well as King Edwards will
There really did not seem the slightest
necessity for this extra precaution. see
ing that these bureaus are fireproof, be-
ing thickly lined with steel. Each IS
fitted with three locks. which are opened
with two keys each. They are kept in
the Kings personal writing room in his
private apartments and the keys are
operated in manner known only to the
King and HIS private secretary.
I am told that the keys to the bureau
containing the late Kings private papers
are kept in a small safe. the key to
which always is in the Kings possession
on a small gold ring attached to his
watch chain. Whenever it becomes nee
essary to open the bureau, as has been
the case frequently during the past few
months. 1t is unlocked by King George in
the presence Of his private secretary and
usually also that of his solicitor and the
solicitor of the late King.
The required documents are read IN the
royal presence. II copies of them are
needed. they are made at once by the
legal representatives present. whereupon
the King himself redeposits the papers IN
their receptacle.
As soon as the wishes of the late King
in regard to his personal effects will have
been carried out. these personal papers
and documents are to be deposited with
the royal bankers in a safe deposit vault,
the key to which will be retained by King
George.
The present rulers personal papers are
kept in the two smaller bureaus Of pre-
cisely the same pattern and make as
those containing the late Kings papers.
The keys for those bureaus are in charge
Of the Kings private secretary. but they
are opened only in the presence of the
sovereign or by his special instructions.
Letters pertaining to the Kings inti-
mate or private affairs are seen only by
Sir Arthur Bigge, for many years the
faithful and trusted confidant OF King
George. Whenever 1t is deemed neces-
sary to keep copies Of those letters, such
COPY is made by the private secretary,
and sometimes even by the King him.
self Copies Of the Kings private letters
are indorsed with the names to whom
they are written and carefully filed.
Some Of the Kings private letters are
written in code. Frequently this Is the
case when the King writes q letter to
some foreign royalty on private affairs.
For example, when an important royal
marriage is pending. no hint Of which
has reached the public as yet. the matter
often is discussed in lengthy personal
correspondence between the leading
rulers Of Europe. Such letters nearly al
ways written in code.
Among members Of the royal families
Of Europe there is q code for their pri-
vate correspondence between each other.
This code Is rarely used. and only in
matters Of extreme Importance. and
which must be kept secret. The code is
| kept carefully guarded from every one
outside Of the royal families themselves.
and even is charged from time to time.
All such letters received, as well as
copies Of those sent by the British King.
are also kept in the bureaus mentioned
above.
At the end OF each year those which
sare mot 1tkely to b required any more.