New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-05
This Court Mourning Without Prsee'
dent.

King Georges aLuon In ordering three
weeks court mourning for the late EN-
pelor Of Japan constitutes an entirely ne"
departure for the reignng houses OF
Europe. and as such is likely 10 be much
annreciated by the successor and the
subjects of the dead Mikado. The latter
ser since 1sSO-that is 10 say, Tor more
IAn twenty years-made point OF
ordering court mourning whenever ne was
officially notified Of the decease of any OF
the Western sovereigns or Of any mem
Der Of their families. He placed the dig-
nitaries OF his household and the great
officers Of the realm In mourning for the
deaths of the last two German Emperors'
King Humbert. King Edward. Queen VIC
toria, the Empress Of Austria and her only
son. Crown Prince Rudolf.
But when, some ten years or so ago.
his mother passed away and her demise
was officially notified TO the various Euro
peen monarchs by the japanese ambassa-
doris and ENJOYS, who added that her
majesty had passed away after receiving
the last sacramento OF the Shinto faith"
no corresponding notice was taken there
Of, the European courts assuming the
ground that as long as the domestic ar
Iangements Of a sovereign were similar
10 those Of the rulers Of Turkey, Egypt
Morocco, Siam Of the late Emperor of
China and the ex-Shah OF Persia. il was
j,npossible 10 consider his family bereave-
roents I'm the same fashion as those OF
Christian monarchs. While there is some
reason in this contention. since reigning
families Of the Orient are likely 10 be
extremely numerous owing 10 the practice
OF polygamy, It was bitterly resented IN
Japan and construed as an aifront 10 inc
Emperor ana the nation.
When the successful issue Of her war
with Russia gave Japan a place among
the great powers and her alliance WIFE
Great Britain acquired al altogether ne"
Importance, in 1905. ] expressed In these
letters the opinion that England and the
other courts Of Europe would tind II not
only irnpoltic but impossible 20 continue
10 slight the japanese Empire In the mat
ter Of court mourning, and this preuic-
ton, made seven years ago. has now peeh
made good by King George.
a Rscalcitrant Peer.
II must be remembered that when King
George orders court mourning the com
mand becomes statutory There are not
merely official regulations, but laws OF the
land in England which render court
mourning obligatory. and provide tor inc
severe punishment Of any peer OF tne
realm or dignitary of the crown VINO iais
10 obey this sumptuary behest Ihese
laws were enacted several centuries ago
The only occasion on which they were in
voked in recent times was when the late
Earl Of DarnIey, the most eccentric sno
wrong headed Of peers, at the time o'
the death OF Queen Msry's mother the
late Princess Mary Of Cambridge, Duchess
Of Teck, made public announcement
over his signature In the LONDON papers
that he no longer intended 10 ASSUME
court mourning when It was decreeo' pu'-
saant TO the sovereign's order. py .he
Lord Chamberlain In the official gazette
Rad the earl merely refrained from
putting himself and his bousehoid III
black no one would have maze any
mark, but the communication or MS IN
tentions to the press called down upon
vs. head the wrath OF the great ID" o'''-