Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-11-15
PRINCES VISIT
SMOOTHED WAY
OF DIPLOMATS
Many Americans Got q
More Agreeable Inn
preston of Royalty.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial to The Argus).

opean war began but there Is an
especial Significance in the sojourn
Of the Prince Of Wales at this time.
Coming at q moment when agita-
ton by Irish sympathizers and de-
bate by various members Of the
United States on the whole range
Of British influence In the
world has been unsparing in its
criticism, the entry Of a future
king Of England meant delicate
treading.
Yet Edward, Princs Of Wales,
leaves Washington with q verdict
Of distinct success. No longer
must there be sleepless nights for
the diplomats who probably wor-
ried . good deal from the moment
the intention of the prince to visit
America became known. The mis-
sion on which the prince came-to
return the visit Of President VIII
son and get closer to the American
people and their government-has
been gracefully executed.
Easy Of Manner.
The prince met Republicans and
Democrats at the official receptions
and dinners, those who favor and
those who oppose a partnership of
nations, and 1t cannot be denied
that more than . few Of our Off
cial folk were pleasantly surprised
at the thoroughly democratic man.
ner and magnetic ways of the young
prince. He looked q typical Ok
ford graduate and his conversations
revealed . remarkable familiarity
with. American affairs and institn-
tions. He was not the kind Of
prince one reads about-a stiff,
Wonocled, overdressed, naughty, or
superior sort of person. He was q
simple, Straightforward, laughing
eyed, good-natured individual, who
hobnobbed with officials, diplomats,
correspondents, and folks general
ly in the national capital, in q
| spirit Of genuine fellowship.
Those who are unfamiliar with
the democracy Of British institu-
tions and the detachment of the
royal family from a part in the
foreign or domestic policies of the
empire were prepared to see the
royal ego we'll pronounced In the
person Of the prince Of Wales. But
instead they saw modest, retir-
ing. shy young man who seemed
as one watched him delighted at
the ease and freedom with which 1t
was possible for him to mingle
with Americans. II he has ever
been uncomfortable over the bur-
dens Of official formality abroad,
he seemed to revel in the utter in
formality Of the reception he got
in the national capital.
Was Carefully Planned.
Visits like that of the prince Of
Wales are arranged only after the
most thoughtful consideration on
the part Of those interested in see-
ing that the right kind OF impress
sion Is made for the country as q
whole. There were no doubt those
in England who wondered If the
young prince should visit America
at time when the League Of Ma
tions was on the. boards. But the
belief was that the treaty would be
out Of the way before October, any
way, and SO the prince went to
Canada first. His tour there was
unquestionably a success, for 1t has
admittedly strengthened the bonds
between the dominion and the
mother country. bond that had
been slightly weakened by misun-
derstandings during the war.
The future king of England had
!. in many respects much more DIFF
ficult task than the king of the
Belgians. With respect to Bel
] GUM there had been an outpouring
Of sympathy for the little country
that bravely withstood the German
onslaught and large need OF
praise for the heroism Of the mon
arch himself. The young prince Of
Wales had to face a traditional
tendency to be Indifferent to things
English and to regard English roy
atty as undemocratic and unrepre-
sentative of the march of modern
republicanism. The downfall Of all
kings and princes had been a IA.
vorite subject for the war orators
and speakers on both sides Of the
political aisle in congress didn't
always make an exception to that
generalization.
Fond Of Their Rulers.
Since the League of Nations de.
bate has progressed in the senate
coincidentally with those develop
ments in internal Europe which re.
veal rather strikingly the difficulty
in making the world over in a yeal
or SO, there has been q sliding bach
to realities. And q part of this, a
observed in Washington. for In
stance. is to recognize facts ant
institutions as they are. Those
who WERE predicting at the out.
break Of the war that not a crown
would be left in Europe are now
awakening to the realization tha,
Europe is fond Of its royalty ant
all the orders and customs that &C
company 1t. But the distinctly
Ifriendly way in which Washington