New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-22
British Heir Apparent,
Dressed as LabOrer. Sees
East End SqualOr.
iROYAL FATHER. ANGRY,
SENDS HIS SON ABROAD
Woman Suffrage and Socialism
Engage Deep Attention of
England's Future King.
ny cable to The Tribune

London. March 21.-It is learned that the
real reason for the hurriedly arranged
visit OF the Prince Of Wales TO Norway
and other Continental countries was the
discovery by the King and Queen OF GER
tain clandestine visits by the Prince TO
the poorest parts Of the East End Of Lon
don. OF the suddenly developed interest
taken by the Prince i'm Socialism. the
avowal by the prince Of his agreement
with some Of the most startling doctrines
Of the Socialists and his close association
at oxford with a group Of young men who
ardently desire 10 see the existing social
structure greatly altered
The prince heard some Of these men
speak al the oxford Union. and the ideas
expressed were so new 10 him that ne be
came anxious to learn more. 10 which end
he invited two Of them for breakfast
Both of them were Of most aristocratic
birth. and undertook 10 prove 10 the heir
apparent that their ideas were right by
showing him some OF tho worst sweating
dens IN the East End Of London and
places where two and three families oc-
cupy one room.
In order that the visit should not be
prevented by the King and Queen or by
the numerous tutors and guardians sur
rounding the prince he went 10 bucking-
ham when the court was not in London
on the plea of attending 10 some affairs in
connection with the administration OF
the Duchv OF Cornwall estate. For two
whole DAYS the prince, with one OF his
friends-both disguised as casual laborers
~ @
slums in London.
No ROYALTY in England has ever seen
what the prince saw. With his friend he
visited quarters in Shoreditch and Hox-
ton, where the police themselves always
travel in couples, it being unsafe for one
To go alone. The experiences Of the prince
profoundly affected him. and since his
adventure there have been several gath
eriugs OF Socialists at oxford in the
princes rooms.
Word of these meetings, OF course, soon
reached the King, and further inquiries
brought to light the visits TO the East
End His majesty was greatly dspleased
with the prince for making such trip
without his sanction. but II was the
avowal Of the prince when rebuked by the
s
of the most startling theories Of his new
friends that decided the King 10 have his
eldest son leave oxford Immediately and
visit his aunt. the Queen of Norway. with
an automobile tour in Germany 10 follow
All this was arranged in few DAYS.
BOT any OF the princes new friends are
in any way dangerous conspirators, but
arc merely a group Of young men filed
with what an oxford don describes as "a
rather exaggerated sense OF their duty
toward their neighbors." The great fear
OF the King and queen is, however, that
the prince may become infected with So
cialIstic ideas at an early and impression
able age, ideas which might prove diff
fcult TO eradicate later.
The prince is OF placid disposition
which disposes him 10 follow the line OF
least resistance TO obey orders for tho
present and not 10 create a disturbance
either public or in his family by express
ing opinions in opposition 10 the King
and Queen. but Il is feared that later.
when the prince has his own establish
ment and takes his position as heir 10 the
throne. the ideas with which he is now
infected. II uneradicated or killed in the
atmosphere in which the eldest son Of a
sovereign must perforce live, may have
interesting results
The King, it is clear, has visions Of
prince filled with profound contempt for
the tortuous methods of politicians and
their pretences. and setting out TO right
social wrongs in company with men eager
and even iInpetuous 10 do things. The
prince. IL seems Is particularly strongly
infected with IDEAS on one subject on
which the Queen herself holds very de-
cided opinions. This subject IS woman
suffrage Tho heir apparent who has
hitherto not shown himself interested in
the question, is now If not sympathizer
with the militauts. at least decided sup
porter of votes for women and an op-
ponent ~ forcible feeding