New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-22

fed out of Difference to Catholic sus-
ceptibles-it certainly was lurid docu-
ment-but there has been no change in
in the fundamental rule which | have
just quoted The King cannot change II
without the assent of Parliament. and
Parliament would not assent il asked
so to do.
Princes Choice Limited
This means that not one Of the five
sons of King George can marry Bel
gian, Italian or Spanish princess unless
the lady is ready to forsake the faith
of her fathers. When the Queen of
Spain turned Catholic, she surrendered
forever whatever claim she or her
children might have had to the Brit
ish throne.
Under Queen Victoria, the exclusion
of Roman Catholic families caused lit
tie Inconvenience. Husbands and wives
could always be found in Russia, Ger
many and Denmark. But the revolu-
ton at Petrograd has at one stroke
destroyed the matrimonial prospects of
four prlncesses, daughters of the Gar,
whose ages were precisely suited to
those of King Georges sons. Greek
royalties are, of course, cut Of the
question. And so are the German roy
alties. There remain in Europe only
two princesses who might be eligible
Princess Elizabeth of Rumania, who is
the age of the Prince of Wales, and
Princess Marie, who is five years
younger.
In England itself, the choice is not
less restricted. We have seen that
Countess NGda Torby has been married
to Prince George of Battenberg. Her
sister, the Countess Lea. is engaged TO
Major II. A. Wernher. Apart from
these ladies' there is really no princess
IN Great Britain suitable for one of
King Georges sons, and it would be
difficult to find a prince for the Prin-
cess Mary. At any rate, the cousinship
would be very close.
Under these circums stances. the royal
house must either die out or ally itself
to non-royal persons. Even so repub-
lican statesman as General SHUTS is
Convinced that the British throne
should be maintained as an indispensa-
bic link between the British dominions
and with this end in view he urges that
princes should be allowed to marry
dominion would add American
brides. The Derison wedding is valu-
able as an experiment, 10 test public
opinion. | do not doubt that il will
be popular. For, after all. the theory
mat German prlncelings are more
royal than British peers is really
ridiculous. The tradition has enabled
Germany to extend her influence in
many directions. and it is now merely
a political artifice, which must be
brought to an end
The recent dramatic revision of royal
titles has grccter simplifed the cti-
quette of non-royal marriages. Prince
Alexander of Battenberg will now be
simply the Marquis of Carisbrooke.
His mother is the Countess of Carts
brooke Castle.
His wife will be the marchioness
Their children will be Lord or Tadv
SO and So Mountbatten, which Is tho
translation Of Battenberg, as Petro-
grad is the translation of PETERSBURG
The old Wing idea that the ROYAL
house must be distinct from the peer
age is thus abandoned and the ties
between the House of Lords ard tho
court will be strengthened. Highness
and prince, as titles, will become rarer
every year.
The new rule as to marriages may
mean that match making mammas will
intrigue against one another at court.
at drawing rooms and state balls. There
Will be assuredly new zest among the
ambitious, and ladies-in-waiting will
have 70 be selected with especial care.
But, in the long run, it will work ont
all right. There is plenty of indie
pendence and dignity in the old fam
ilies OF England and Scotland.
Royalties Being Separated
One other result must be mentioned
Nine kings assembled for the funeral
OF King Edward-the Kaiser among
them. The British throne was then an
international institution. In future IL
Is to be British only In language. in
titles. in temper. We have removed
enemy princes from the orders of the
Garter, the Bath and so on. They are
to be struck of the peerass