New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-18

WALDORF Astor | shall encounter, | sup
pose strong prejudice, due TO his hav-
ing become naturalized British subject.
| But | must risk that. The American
point of view is apt to be American.
That. however, is not the only point Of
view. There are others, whether we
choose to admit it or not When Ger
man or Scandinavian casts off his Ger
man or Scandinavian nationality and be-
comes a naturalized American citizen
we welcome him. We do not feel bound
to take note of German or Scandinavian
protests against his abandonment OF his
native land. In the case Of Germany
there are such protests and very strong
protests. For a long time Germany re-
fused to recognize the right of expatri
alton, and If a naturalized German re-
turned TO Germany she compelled him 10
undergo military consumption as if still
German. Once German always
German was her motto. 1t required a
treaty, negotiated by the historian Ban
croft. then our Minister at Berlin. 10
relieve him from that obligation. That
was the German point Of view. and l
think we may admit that the German
sentiment Of nationality and love for the
Fatherland is not less strong than the
American. But since we nevertheless
incorporate some millions Of Germans,
against the general wish Of the German
people, into our American Republic, need
we be so angry with a single American
who elects to become an Englishman?
We may regret it. We need not revile
him.
Why Mr.. Astor made this choice is not
generally known. Most New Workers
ate aware that his position at home for
reasons I need not go into, was made
difficult for him: by no fault Of his. At
any rate. he resolved to come over here
and live. AS his children grew up they
presented a problem Were they to he
British or American? They were to live
in England. If he became British sub
ject before they were of age. they would
be British also. Mr.. Astor was quite
aware of the criticism which would be
made and Of the obloquy that would
follow upon his decision. But he pre-
ferred 10 take that upon himself ather
than let it fall upon his children; and
that is why he determined TO be nat
uraliZed while they were still minors. !
He may have been right or wrong, but
the motive of parental piety to his chill |
dren is one that we can all respect.
c. E, 7 ~, Ia do
no explanation and has made no answer /
of any kind to the invective Of his
: american assailants. He is man with /
a great firmness of character; great F.
coura ge: a great power of enduring in /
silence what he believes to he unjust (
Censure. IF I were to consult him / /
imagine he would give no sanction to |
the statement I am making. But l /
know the facts from various sources and |
I use them on my own responsibility. A
mans friends may sometimes say for him |
what he would not say for himself. And /
if I thought it might a little appease
American wrath. l would add that Mr..
Astor. even as a British subject, has done
much TO make the American name re-
spected here BritOn though he be IN /
law. everybody thinks Of him as an /
American. and recognizes as primarily /
and essentially American those qualities
which give him place apart in this Eng
Iish life. AS I knew him in New YORK
and have known him all through MS
English experiences, I offer my tesIl-
roonv for what If is worth.
Mrs Aston was living when her nus
hand chose London as a residence. NO
ono who knew Mrs. Aston could imagine
that social ambitions influenced her IL
yonld rot be a reproach II they Nau' I
Social ambitions are respectable IN theh- /
so1,.as and many American women nave
ebor.n nc 10 what brilliant uses they +
-, Iva turned abroad; and what an I'M /
nress they leave on English society. MIs' I
Aston took the place TO WHICH HeI
beauty. her name. her wealth, ehtlueu
- hut she took it very quietly ana al :
os, indifferently. While they were !
,,o.,, in deem mourning for the loss Oh ner
49, ard his Mr. Astor became the
tenant Of Lansdowne House; one ol 'i-
60, houses in London standlhs III 10
o,,.n Grounds: and palace ra'hei -
&c asked Mrs. Astor why sue
- 90 live in a mansion meant lor
ia bosnitalities which. in the cir
c,n,stances. were impossiD'e - ~
She answered: ,o,,so.
ooh we had looked at many ho0s oas
Oi-' --,o,,,re House is the only one
which gave us the two Things We M
arted-perfect cleanliness anu 7000
nurseries -....
.rote true simplicity Of nature
later they entertained but new E
+ho tnlI resources Of the place 10 'He 80
INT about of course, among sonne
- 40 hest people. who admired '"''
-, 1adv's simplicity Of nature aS
.to, did her beauty. There was ui,'.e-
ono night at Spencer House where H,9
-. cat op Lord Spencer's LETT at 'ne
- table which stretched from emu !
90 that noble dining ROOM Win
its noble pictures She was hel ~, -
1oveliest picture there. ana TINS wen -
connanv gazed and gazed TIL even ~
~. i,ocaroe aware Of the homage
offered her. %
A. Astor Is a man who has ways %
- - he orders his life IN accoiu
80 with his own notions OF "'"' ~
en- - - he. His tastes are positive
-, and he gratiies them. ne o"i''
no