The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-07
Numerous Islands in Polar Seas
Placed Under Protection
of Union Jack.
BY LA MARaUIsE DE FcNTENoY.


of Union Jack.
BY LA MARQUISE DE FCNTENOY.
wv HILE the attention OF the world
w is being absorbed by the diplo-
w matte and armed conflicts
which are in progress in the
southeast of Europe on the subject of
the territorial advantages to be derived
from the Balkan war now drawing to
a close. Great Britain is quietly and
unobtrusively adding TO hor posses
sions in another portion of the globe.
Thus Canadian government cruiser
nier. Royal Navy is now engaged in
rounding up the numerous islands in
ada and the North Pole. and has al
dred, ali Of which have been named.
mapped. and placed under the protec-
ton of the Union Jack. Stefanson the
explorer; who is a Canadian. of Ice
landic descent ;sets out next month
that continent which many believe to
lie between Canada and the pole This,
put forward by Admiral Peary, on his
return from the North Pole. to all the
land lying between the latter and the
northern coast of Canada.
While there are many who will be
disposed to scott at the Importance of
these territorial acquisitions of the
Canadian government in behalf of the
British empire, 1t is we'll to bear in
mind that similar opinions were enter
ii,
time of It's purchase by the United
states from Russia. The administraz
for wasting good American dollars
only a few milions--on a frozen waste.
Alaska has now proved TO be coun:
wealth. as well AS of boundless indus
trial and even agricultural possibili-
ties. There is no reason whatsoever
Great Britain is now adding to her
huge empire, should not prove equally
rich. at any rate. in latent mineral
wealth.
The collection OF letters presented
by the widowed Duchess of Albany to
the Bodleian Library at Oxford. con-
tanning the. communications addressed
TO her husband by Lord Beaconsfeld
day. is mainly interesting through the
light which it casts on the somewhat
pathetic role OF the younger scions OF
the reisning houses of Europe. They
have literally no career open 10 them
save the army or navy. no profession
in which they can find Held for their
activities.
Thus, the Duke of Albany. youngest
son OF Queen Victoria, wrote 20 Bea-
appointed permanent Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs. Offering to do the
work without a salary. in view OF the
civil list of $4,000 Il year which he
received from the country. Queen
Victoria il may be remem bered. took
in the direction of foreign affairs. in
accordance with her constitutional pre-
negatives, OF which she was very jeal-
tary was responsible to her primarily,
ana only in minor degree TO Parlia-
meni, and the prince; who, by reason
seat in the House OF Lords. and was
therefore Il member of Parliament. con-
sidered that he could fulfill much the
eign affairs of the nation and as in
termediary between his mother. the
~ "a Do,
as the royal Duke OF Cambridge. then
comma nder-in chief of the army. did
in military affairs. Disraelis reply,
showing the unpopularity of the plan
and the danger to the crown, was Il
masterpiece of polite refusal
Infinitely more curt and less courte-
Lord Derby Secretary OF State for the
Colonies. when the. duke wrote TO him
nor-General of Canada. or. even Gov
ernor of the Colony of Victoria, the
Australian Commonwealth not being
! The duke was debarred by his deli
cate condition of health from an active
military career. although he held hon
| orary rank in the army. He was eX
ceedingly clever. man, in one word,
of brilliant attachments. who was eager
| just because he happened TO be son
OF the sovereign. no found no outlet
for his energies. Had he survived, he
German duchies OF SAKE Coburg and
Gotha the throne of which is at pres
| ent occupied by his only son and name
| sake. who succeeded thereto owing
| to the refusal of the Duke of Con-
naught and of Prince Arthur of Con-
naught' to accept II.
1t is this anxiety to do something for
his native land that led the Duke of
Connaught, after he had been elimi-
mated by means Of discreditable in
trigue from any further participation
i'm the direction of the deStinieS Of the
British army. to seek the governor
generalship OF Canada, which the pres
ent Colonial Secretary Lewis Harcourt,
more enlightened than the late Lord
Derby. was only too glad to place at
his disposal.
In Bavaria we find princes OF the
blood who do not banker after a pure
ly military career turning their atten-
ton to medicine, Prince Louis Ferdi
nand having achieved fame az a gyne-
cologist. willie the late Duke Charles
Theodore of Bavaria was one of the
most successful and celebrated ocu
lists in Europe UP to the time of his
death, both princes giving their SER
Vices to the poor for nothing.
In Russia the Grand Duke Nicholas
Micliaelaiovitch devotes himself wholly
to literature, and has achieved inter
national eminence as one of the most
truthful historians, his works being OF
extraordinary value by reason OF the
facilities which hos enjoys OF access to
archives and state papers beyond the
reach of ordinary mortals.
Prince Eugene of sweden is profess
aud distinction, while the late King
Edwards sister. Princess Louise; Ouch
ess of Argyll, has added each year con-
siderably to her allowance from the