New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-29
The Breach Between Ruler
and His Heir Has Many
Parallels in the His
tory of Courts
of Europe.

OVAL, birthdays are celebrated
- with so much official pomp and
IN ceremony, particularly when
they happen to be those OF the SOW
ereign. of the heir apparent or OF their
respective consorts. that the action OF
the Kaiser in pomtcdly ignoring the
birthday Of his charming daushter-in-
law. the Crown Princess. on Friday
September 20. has created no end of
stir. both in Germany and abroad. y
state dinner. followed by a brilliant re-
ception, took place at the Crown
Princes palace at Berlin in honor of
the event. at which most of the mem
bers of the rcigning house and all the
great world Of Berlin were present
But the Kaiser was conspicuous by
his absence. and although he was III the
capital on that day, en- route from the
naval manGuvres at WilhelmshaNen to
his shooting lodge at Romntcn. in
Eastern Prussia, he RETAINED from
calling upon the Crown Princess, and,
10 make matters worse. carried away
with him both the Empress and his
daughter. Princess Victoria Louise
thus preventing them from partici-
rating In the festivities. In Germany
especially birthdays are made The occa-
sions OF family reunions, and receive a
greater amount of observance than
anywhere else in Europe, and that the
Emperor should have refrained from
conveying as usual in person his good
wishes and congratulations TO his popu-
lar daughter-in-la is naturally con-
s,rued rs a public admission on his
rart that an arrangement exists be-
tween himself. his son and The latter's
consort.
This estrangement, which has long
been rumored, might be regarded as
purely private and domestic affair were
il not for the fact that the differences
between the Crown Prince and his
father are known 20 extend to political
matters Some, indeed, allege that they
had their origin therein, aud. this being
The case, the quarrel between the TWO
assumes an altogether international
Importance. for at any moment the
crown Prince may be called upon TO
assume the reins OF government, either
IS regent or as sovereign, and, since
his views are opposed TO those of his
father il naturally follows that when
he takes his place at the helm he VIII
stcar the German ship Of state upon
different course TO that which has until
now been sailed.
THE CROWN PRINCE is FESTIVE.
Some years ago the Crown Prince. in
writing 10 a friend in America, COM
blamed that he felt like naval officer
who might d, any moment be called
upon to navigate the snip, without ever
having been permitted TO study the
charts or even to take his place on the
bridge. indicating that he had been
kept By his father entirely aloof from
all knowledge of the foreign ana do
nestle policies OF the empire. There
has been little or no change since then,
save in this. namely, that the future
Emperor, in lieu Of being initiated by
his father into all his aims AMI aspira-
lions. has been left TO form his own
views and projects, which do not hnd
favor in the paternal eyes.
This refusal of William 10 associate
his eldest son and heir with him IN the
Of the empire has aroused
a considerable amount of popular at
tention and public criticism. Inc
Crown Prince is universally liked ana
his consort is favorite with all
classes. 1t is generally acknowledged
that the Crown Prince is a capable
level-headed, sensible and able man.
wholesome i'm every sense of the Woru'
and uossessed of many qualities that
might be used 10 the advantage oil ms
fellow countrymen; but the laIter are
deprived Of the opportunity OF aNaiiihs
themselves thereof. owing TO the course
Of the Emperor in endeaVoring 10 re-
strict the activities Of his first born 10
the purely routine duties Of The com
mand OF a cavalry regiment ~ re-
mote provincial town.
King Edward was more sagacious III
this respect. lie associated his only son
with him in the manifold iuties VI
sovereignty. The then Prince OF Wales
used 10 work with him at Buckingham
Palace from breakfast 10 iuncheoh
time whenever they were both in to"h'
lie relieved his father Of much routine
work and tircsome detail, and parilcI-
pated IN his conferences with the Varl-
Gus ministers and disnitaries OF the
crown. The .wo were in complete ac-
cord and II vas. thanks 20 ,his more
than anything else, that, despite the
relative audiences Of Edward WIS
death I'm the midst Of a great political
crisis one reign was merged into an
other without the slightest hitch or Jar
and with none of that momentary in
terruption OF the wheels Of government
which occurred on the demise Of Queen
Victoria, and which resulted in so much
trouble and confusion, despite the fact
that il had been known for some time
previously that her reign was rapidly
drawing TO q close.
This confusion was attributable TO
the circumstance that like the kaiser
with the Crown Prince the late queen
.tad ,,,,dn d ,,oint of keeping Ger eldest