Evening star., 1923-04-17
Diplomatic Negotiations of Dominions
Sure to Embarrass British Empire

pewer, and take upon themselves 10
conclude treaties, binding upon the
British empire as a whole, but about
which the governments of the other
commemorative of the confederation,
have not been consulted or their ap-
proval obtained, the utmost confusion
will ensue in the intercourse between
the foreign powers and the British
empire.
1t has been proposed by way of deal
ing with the difflculty that the poll
c1es of the British empire as a whole,
in it's relation to foreign nations,
should be determined by plenary
meetings of the prime ministers Of
the empire. But, some of these prem
iers. are many thousands of miles
away, and before they can be gathered
from the Antipodes, and from South
Africa, weeks must elapse before they
can reach Downing street. Deputies
could not be qualified to act in their
stead for reasons that are obvious.
Under the circumstances, it looks
very much as il the measures, by
which the diplomatic right of inde-
pendent nations are conceded to Eng
lands overseas governing pos
sessions would have TO be rescinded.
for the sake of the empire itself, Of
the colonies concerned, and of for
eign nations, and that while leaving
to the dependencies their full au-
tomony in domestic affairs. the di
rection of their diplomatic business
should be restricted to the imperial
who alone should be qualified to act
for the empire, and for its various
component parts.
X x * x
Sir Ralph Anstruther of Balcaskie
in Fifeshire, who has just been ap-
pointed by King George to be his
7
ative of that county, is an old soldier
in the neighborhood Of seventy
veteran of the Black Watch Rcgi-
ment and of the Egyptian and South
African wars. sixth baronet of his
line. he represents the Junior branch
of one of the greatest houses of Scot
land. the superchieftain of which
(now Sir Wihdham AnstrutherD has
ranked, although not peer. as
among the principal barens of the
northern kingdom.
Sir Ralph's baronetcy dates from
1894. whereas the two baronetcies
held by Sir Windham were respec-
lively bestowed in 1900 and 1898
But these baronetcies, however. count
for but little where the chieftain >of
the clan has always been known
either as the Lord of Anstruther'
or as "The Anstruther."
Among the ancestors of old Sir
Ralph Anstruther, who was formerly
a frequent visitor to the United
States. and of his kinsman, Sir Wind
ham Anstruther. was that Henry de
Anstruther, Lord OF Anstruther, who
was one of the principal companion
In arms of st. Louis of France in his
crusade TO the Holy Land. Sir James
Anstfuther was a particular favorite
of King James VI of Scotland (who
was also James I of Great Britaiu)
and who bestowed upon him the Of
hces of hereditary master and Of
hereditary carver of the royal house
hold in Scotland.
These dignities are now held BY
Sir Windham Carmichael Anstruther
the present head of the family, who
has attained his majority within the
last three weeks, and who bears as
his second name that of Carmichael,
ana who owns the Carmichael es-
tates. by reason of the fact that he is
descended in the female line from the
beautiful but unfortunate Mary Car
michael maid of honor to Mary
Queen OF Scots. and whose pathetic,
lament Is eommemorated in the old
Scottish ballad entitled. The Queens
Marys."