Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-19
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS
OUR QUESTS-THEIR MAJESTIES,

Ancient custom and courtesy are re-
sponsible for the title and form of adj
dress applicable to the esteemed
guests of Albuquerque this day When
the American government was in the
making there arose serious discussion
as to the title and phrase that should
be used as to its chief executive.
There were those who believed the
appellation should be of sort i'm
pressive in proportion to the import
ance of the position. and they advo-
Gated various forms intended to match
those in other lands. But finally sim
plicity prevailed, in line with the de-
sire to convey the idea that control
by the people and not by their repre-
sentative should be emphasized.
Had all rulers of kindoms been as
free from pomp as the present head
of the Belgium government, the title
of majesty" would probably have
lapsed.
But the use of the word is felt by
the democratic King Albert to be
nothing more than a courteous eX-
preston by his own people. The
ordinary omission Of it in America by
those whom he meets in iourneying
suggests no disrespect. The welcome
he receives everywhere would be as
warm hearted had he lost his crown
in the late struggle, or were he but
a president, or even but the heroic
David that he was in facing the
Goliath of advancing hosts of Huns, !
and battling to the END that his peo- [,
pie and his pledged brother nationals
should not be slain by reason of his
failure to keep the faith.
While America was never before |
visited by king, had the people been
called upon to choose a guest from
among the rulers of Europe, Albert
would have been the popular choice,
not that his kingdom is among the
great in area, but because of all the
war sovereigns he was the one who
was most sorely pressed, and the one
who most submerged his sovereignty
in comradeship with his fellow men.
History furnishes no superior example
of soldierly and civic merit than was
shown by the unpretentious citizen
king of most worthy race of people.
Nor ever was there an instance even
in America where democratic citizens
all. IAf. at
leader with more respect and love,
with no incentive but loyalty. than
the Belgians did their sovereign. a
man after their own heart. .. a.
Even when but a prince, prospec-
tive ruler Albert put aside preten-
sion, devoted period to America, far
from eastern cities where adulation
was to be had without the asking, and
served in the useful occupation of
newspaper work, in which he took a
university course in his own land,
after being made king. even serving
as correspondent upon some import
ant conferences to which he jour
neyed. There appear many practical
subjects to which he turned his mind,
even to the extent of becoming cap
able locomotive engineer.
In the Belgium fishing village
where their king spends the summers
in an ordinary cottage, his dress and
manners do not distinguish him as he
goes shopping with his market basket
III -,
formation that he Is other than the
ordinary resident. The affairs of the
town are the affairs of his household,
and it is his delight TO idle with the
hardy fishermen. of whom he makes
Photographic collection.
Were this king deposed today. or
made to abdicate permanently and
become an exile he could easily be-
leo, without station other than that he
would achieve as wage Garner. This
tour by his own words, proven by his
efforts is not for self-promotion, for
personal exaltation, but to see and
learn many things to help in restoring
and advancing the battered country
Of which he is the head The king is
here to absorb American ideas that
may be applicable to Belgian in
terests.
Queen Elizabeth. an hereditary
princess, has ever had the alteration of
her people. Like the king, she avoid
ed idleness. studied for service, took
course in medicine before war came,
and was among the most active of
women in hospital work. to which she
DEVOTED her personal funds,
The crown prince. with his parents,
Is boyish student, unspoiled. wears