The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-20
HOUSE OF LORDS IS UNWILLING ID TAKE
 GERMANS TITLES
Three Enemy Noblemen'' Are Subject of Bill Re- quested by Premier
 Lloyd George

London, July 1o-The House of Lords has received very coldly the 'enemy princess bill,r which the Lloyd George cabinet has pledged itself to enact, depriving three German princes of their British titles. Viscount James Bryce, former British ambassador to Washington, is one of those opposing the bill
 The bill applies to only three Ger man nobIemen. who happen to be pos- sessors of English titles technically giving them the right to seats in tho House of Lords. They are the Dukes of Cumberland and Albany and Prince Albert of Schleswig -Holstein.
 The title of the Duke of Cumber- land was awarded over a century ago to the fifth son of King George III. He became king of Hanover in 1887. That of the Duke of Albany was awarded by Queen Victoria in 1881 to the father of the present holder, who is also Duke of Saxe-Coburg- Gotha and reigning prince of Ger man state. Prince Albert of Schles- wig Holstein is d grandson Of Queen Victoria. His title is merely a nom inal dignity and when the present holders father was born Schleswig- Holstein belonged to Denmark.
 The Duke of Cumberland has been invalid for more than two years, and has taken no part in the war. Moreover, he is known as hater of the Prussian government and all it's doings. His son was in the German army at the beginning of the war, but after short time his health broke down and nothing has been heard of him for long time. The Duke of AL bany, however, has been on active service with the German army ever since the war commenced. Prince Al bert of Schleswig- -Holstein is also an officer in the German army. His broth : CT was killed fighting for Britain in the Boer war. His mother lives In Eng land
 The bill as presented to the House of Lords does no affect succession to estates or property and can scarcely be held up as a serious punishment to the three princes, none of whom has ever shown the slightest inclination to exercise his light to vote in the English House of Lords In fact, most of the speakers in the House of Lords regard the matter as of small import ance, although apparently demanded by considerable body of British pub- lie opinion.
 The attitude of those opposing the measure was that the cabinet was meddllns in the private affairs of the House of Lords, that the bill was a mere sop to the man in the street. and that it might become an annoy ing and mischievous precedent, espe- clally as nothing of the sort had ever been done in any previous war
 Both Lord Finlay and Lord Cur zon, in supporting the bill declared that none of the three princes could properly be charged with treason or any similar crime.
 Viscount Bryce was for postponing action "The bill is not of very gray e substance" he said. Hitherto when the state has deprived a peer of his title and dignities, it has been for something in the nature of a crime. Nothing In the nature of a crime Is al legged in this case"
 Lord Lansdowne declared the bill all wrong. "The real object" he said. 'is to satisfy, a public clamor out os doors. But I feel pretty sure that If we are to satisfy public clamor we shall have to go good deal further, There is for instance, a good deal of disgust at the idea that persons fight ing against us should be wearing British orders and decorations of all kinds. There are Is German dukes wearing the Order of the Bath"
 The governments position in sup- port of the bill was explained by Lord Curzon. We must remember" he said, what is the opinion of the man in the street. He cannot see why anyone serving with tthe enemy should retain the titles and dignities of British peer. He feels it an outrage upon his sentiments of patriotism and nation ality.'
 The bill, after having passed it's sec. ond reading, was placed in the hands of special committee, appointed at the suggestion of Lord Bryce, to ex- anime the whole subject and recom- mend action.