Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
BRITISH KINGS SON
TAKES CROWN POST.
Prince George Leaves Navy
and Begins Foreign
Office Work.
BY WARE b. WELLS.

~ Eadlo to The star.
LONDON, March 23.-With King
Georges approval for the appointment
Of his third son. Prince George, to a
post In the foreign Office, an interesting
new precedent has been added to a
reign already + h in precedents. The
princes resignation from the navy wes
impelled primarily by reasons OF health,
but the departure from the custom that
only the navy and the army can provide
careers for the royal princes may be re-
1arded as a significant pointer to the
developmenC of the official duties of the
younger members Of the royal family.
The naming of the first royal prince
who has ever entered one of the peace
departments of the state is known TO
have been the outcome of discussions
regarding the future career OF Prince
George which have been proceeding be-
tween the court circles and the govern
ment for some weeks. The appointment
was generally approved by public opin-
ion here. but at the same time one ques-
tioning note was struck. The majority
II the commentators welcome breach
Nith tradition which has hitherto con-
fined the royal princes to war services,
pointing out that peace service In a lie
Of diplomacy provides training ano
eouipment which may well prove OF
much greater value should Prince
George some day become, say, Governor
General Of Canada.
Course Is Questioned.
On the other hand, the Liberal Man
chester Guardian raises the point that
"it is conceivable that the presence OF a
member of the royal family within the
foreign Office might at some time be-
come an embarrassment, both to the
ministers and to the crown, and might
involve the crown in just that sort OF
controversy, which all parties agree to
avoid and which the crown during the
present reign has admirably made I'M
possible"
The very nature of the objection made
by the Liberal paper as matter OF TACT
serves no less than approval voiced In
other quarters to underline the new con-
ception of the royal family's role IN the
development of the British family OF ma
tions. In line, also, with this new con-
ception is the challenge which It mas
lust been disclosed by Dublin Is thrown
down by the Free State cabinet to the
constitution of council OF state named
to carry on King Georges duty during
his fitness. The council, contrary 10
precedent, includes two memoers-Pre.
ME, Baldwin and Lord Chancellor LORD
Hailsham, of the present BRUSH Coh-
seru.tive administration.
TIE Cosgrave cabinet maintained
and cts viewpoint is understood TO pc
now accented by the Baldwin govern
ment-that the council exercising the
Kings functions should consist either
of members of the royal family alone or
alternatively include the oficial repre-
sentatiyes Of other parts of the British
empire as we'll as Britain. 1t Is re-
garded in political circles here as eX-
tremely probable that this incident d.
rectly inspired the idea that the Prince
Of wales should be named as regent
the appointment of which would COM
pletely meet any similar case wnicn
might arise, as well as reviewing tne
King of delicate constitutional duties II
the coming general election should lead
to any kind of political deadlock.
Crowns Power Grows.
With the attainment by the self
governing dominions Of q new status as
co-eoual nations with Great Britain, as
laid down in the last imperial confer
ence. the importance of the crown in
imperial things-in which it is now the
sole link-has steadily grown. Prince
Georges appointment to the foreign OF
fee, where he will be groomed In the
science of government, follows the re-
port from India that the Kings second
son. the Duke of York, may be named
as the next Viceroy of India. When
dominion governor general was as much
an agent of the British government OF
the day as a representative Of the King,
there were many good reasons why
politician in close touch with the Brit
ish governmental views should be ap-
pointed.
This does not apply now, when the
governors general are in the Strictest
sense of the term viceroys, and the
Kings representative In all great over
seas dominions have been completely
RECALLED" The Duke of Connaught,
Prince Arthur of Connaught and Earl
of Athlone are all members Of the royal
family who have proved successful and
popular viceroys within recent years.
As they get older it is fairly certain
there will be requests for the Kings
sons 70 represent him overseas, and
Prince Georges nomination to the for
eign Office may be regarded as pointing
to an extension of the practice of APP
pointing Junior members OF the royal
family to act for the King in the do
minions.
(Copyrisht 1929