New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-21
EDWARD Wis LETTERS
King George to Print His Fathers
Life and Correspondence.


Nopyrght, 1911. by the Brentwood Company
hlhs George has come TO the conclusion
that II is due TO the memory Of his father
that an authorized biography of Edward
VII should be written; something in the
same line as Sir Theodore Martins Life
OF the Prince Consort" and of Lord
Eshers Letters and Correspondence OF
Queen Victoria" In this view he Is SIM
ported by Queen Alexandra, who very lust
~ assumes that the outer world knows far
too little OF the important and useful role
played by her consort in affairs of domes-
TIC policy, Of international relations and
OF social life, not only subsequent to his
accession to the throne but likewise dur
Ing his nearly forty years Of married life
as Prince Of Wales
In spite Of the extreme jealousy OF Queen
Victoria on the subject of any interfer-
ence on the part Of her eldest son and
heir in the affairs Of state, her ministers
quietly made it practice 10 keep the
prince promptly posted about all that was
going on. frequently consulting him. while
every Secretary Of State for Foreign AZ
fairs made a point Of sending to Mari
borough House a copy of every important
dispatch or letter received from abroad at
the same time that he transmitted a copy
thereof 10 Queen Victoria.
The ministers were prompted 10 brave
the displeasure OF Queen Victoria in this
matter by the feeling that II was an Of
fetal as well as a patriotic duty on their
part to keep no secrets from a prince
who might at any moment, at an hours
notice, in fact. be called upon TO assume
the reins Of government as sovereign Of
the vast British Empire. Lord Rosebery.
Lord LansdOwne Lord Kimberley, Mr.
Gladstone. Lord Bea consheld and the Duke
of Devonshire all made It a point TO keep
the prince in touch with the affairs OF the
day.
There was only one statesman who fore
bore 10 do so, namely the late Marquis Of
Salisbury. TINS was strikingly shown
when his secret convention with Turkey
about the island Of Cyprus in 1875, which
was a distinct breach of faith with the
other great powers, and more especially
with France caught the heir apparent
thoroughly unprepared for anything OF the
kind while in Paris, causing him intense
irritation and a furious outburst Of thor
Oughly characteristic temper at the Hotel
Bristol.
Aside from all considerations Of inter
national honor, he considered that Ii was
ridiculous TO believe for one moment that
the leasehold acquisition of the island Of
Cyprus by England was worth the sacri-
fee of Frances good Will and friendship,
and the utter uselessness Of the island,
from a strategical and commercial point
of view ever since, as admitted by both
10 70
which he gave utterance on that occasion.
An authorized biography may likewise
convey some idea 10 the world at large Of
the services Of King Edward while Prince
| Of Wales as a peacemaker, not only among
people of every class at home. but also
among his royal and imperial relatives
abroad; Of the role which ne played in
Russia at the time OF the accession OF his
nephew, the present Car. in 1894, and OF
his influence upon Sunday church-going,
/ Of temperance in drinking and in food, and
I'm the abandonment of coarse language at
home
There have been plenty Of biographies
published ABOUT the late King. dealing with
| his home life at sandringham. giving US
description OF the kitchens at MarbOr-
ough House and at Buckingham Palace; Of
his shooting parties at Sandringham. In
Ncrfolkshirs and in Windsor Forest; OF
his visit 10 the United States ever half
a century ago, and of his memorable tour
through India IN 1876. But thus far there
has been no real. authorized account OF
the role which he played both as heir sp-
parent and as King in the various
branches of activity which I have enumer-
ated above.
A biography of this kind. backed up by
plentv of letters, memoranda and CORE
spondence. Will prove not only Of ex-
traordinary interest, but Of great value
70 the historian of the laSu half OF the nine
teenth century and OF the first decade Of
the twentieth century It is only then
that the public will be able TO realize what
a useful man. indeed, was this monarch.
who was denounced by so many as a mere
selfish votary Of pleasure
King Edward papers are for the most
mart IN the possession Of his ron, King
George. who took charge Of them at his
fathers death. But there are number
more which queen Alexandra still retains
~ Sand-iugham. She has been going~rare-
fpu,, through them there and King George
has taken several ldI NeSN7 20 ''-@
o-'s papers With him 10 BalmoraL to look
through them there at his convenience.
The question remains, 20 whom the deh-
cate work Of editing and compiling the
rioprapbv will be intrusted, and the names
-,ertioned in connection with the matter
are those Of the Duke Of Argyll, OF Lord
rsbar and ~ Lord Farquhar. The frst TWO
y-o,,id constitute unfortunate choices For
the Duke Of Argyll. although prolific
writer Of prose and poetry, is somewhat
AN one Moreover IT is matter OF no
secrecy whatever that during the trst
,ventv-fve or thirty years OF his mar
togo N Princess Louise he failed 10 hnd
much favor in the eyes OF her eldest prolh-
or and was out Of touch with him mere
fore he could not be expected 70 write win
n +borough understanding OF or sympathy
with the subject Of the biography.
Lord Esher has still years OF work before
hin, IN the difficult and delicate task OF
editing the remaining and most important
rortion NJ the life and letters Of queen VIC
,orfa Moreover. IL is doubtful II he enjoys
the present Kings confidence and favor 10
r. sap,e degree as he did that Of Edward
VII.
There remains Lord Farquhar. who both
r,-,o, and subsequent 10 becoming a peer
! ~ the realm was one OF the most intimate
! friends Of Edward VII and at the same
time one Of the most independent FOR
when he accepted the mastershlp OF the
ro,.,I household. on the late Kings access