Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-15
People May
Be Taken
Away at the
Next Election
If She or Her
NeWHusbUnd
DispIenses
the Voters
PARIS, Feb. I.

uLeu WOTlQ, especially lTOm the
American point OF view, which
thinks that monarches must be rather
despotic or authoritative affairs. Is that
OF little Luxembourg.
The question whether they would keep
their young sovereign. the young Grand
Duchess Charlotte, on the throne. or would
prefer q republic, was recently submitted
TO the people of Luxembourg. after an e1-
citing election, in which the arguments
for and against the Grand Duchess were
holly discussed.
The election was called "plebiscte"
and was rather like what we call a refer
endum. The people voted in favor OF keep.
ing the Grand Duchess on the throne, but
with the understanding that she would he
have herself periodically and satisfy the
people. AS soon as she becomes unpopu-
lar the people can hold another election
and turn her out.
This is only one Of many strange things
that have happened in little Luxembourg
during the brief period since the Germans
were driven out OF the country. In January
OF last year the Grand Duchess Marie AIDE
laide. oldest sister OF Charlotte, was forced
to abdicate for having been too pro-Ger.
man during the German occupation OF the
country. When this abdication had been
written out a band OF $50 enthusiastic re.
publican volunteers proclaimed a republic
with speeches and parades, and there was,
in fact, republic OF Luxembourg oil day
for one Saturday.
Prime Minister Alweiss, however, Per
suaded the representative OF the French
commander.inchief and the local com.
mander OF the American troops OF occu-
patton by about IL o'clock in the evening
that there was no need for a violent reyo-
luton, and they supported his authority.
The Prime Minister kept the Grand
Duchess Marie Adelaide's abdication III
his pocket for few days. 1t was not
real abdication until he presented it to tho
Luxembourg Parliament, and hence she re.
manned Grand Duchess until Monday. jan
uary IA, when he presented It to the legis.
lative body. BY this time the conserva-
tive citizens of Luxembourg had rallied IN
force, and they came to the opinion that
monarchy was a simpler, quieter and less
expensive form OF government than re.
public for little country like theirs.
They therefore accepted Prime Minis
ter Alwess's proposition that Princess
Charlotte, nice, innocentlookins young
girl, who had never offended anybody,
should succeed her sister on the throne.
1t must be understood that the question
whether monarchy is theoretically better
than republic scarcely entered into this
discussion at ALL except among the Loo
republican enthusiasts who triumphed for
day. The vast majority OF Luxemburgers
believe that no monarch has any divine or
irrevocable right to his throne, and equally
that every nation has a right to be a repub'
lie, but for them the question is prac'
tical one and largely matter Of business
After the young Grand Duchess Char.
1otte had been placed on the throne and
the country had been put in some sort Of
order after the distracting movements Of
foreign forces, the plebiscite was ordered,
so that the people might decide deliber.
ately how they wished to be ruled.
Two questions were submitted to the
people. The first was, do you favor re.
tanning the Grand Duchess on the throne,
\or do you vote for the establishment of q
republic?" The second was, "Are you in
favor Of an economic alliance with France
or with Belgium"
An overwhelming majority voted for re-.
tanning the Grand Duchess, the vote being
2S,465 for her, against 1862 for the re-
public. On the question Of an economic
alliance the vote was 1884 for France.
against 9005 for Belgium. BY establish
ing union Of customs, banking, RAILWAYS
and other matters with larger country a
great economy is effected.
Luxembourg is very mixed country, like
Switzerland. the inhabitants having affini.
ties with Frenchmen, Germans. Belgians
and Hollanders. They all speak French.
whatever other languages they may know