The Washington times., 1936-01-21

home of their eldest son, who was
born in 1894.
Four other sons and one daugh-
ter were born to the ropal couple.
On May 6, 1910, King Edward
VII died. The Prince of Wales as
cended the throne of his ancestors
as King George v. The new king
was just under As at his accession,
in the prime of his life, well-equip-
ped for his difficult role as the
head Of a constitutional mon
archy and mighty empire, and
prepared. by temperament and
training, to endure the tremend-
Gus strain which in a few years
was to come upon the rules and
governments of the world.
In the four years that inter
vened before the coming of the
World War, difficult experiences
lay before the King. Party strife
was bitter, the Irish Home Rule
issue was rearing its head, and
other domestic questions placed
difficult questions before the King
Displayed Wisdom
But George v had not studied
in the constitutional school of
Victoria and Edward in vain. With
canny diplomacy, he left the mat
tiers in the hands of his ministers.
offering only the advice and rec
concentrations of a Sagacious
mind, and the problems were
ironed out with credit to the mon
arch and statesmen concerned.
The World War, which put so
many persons and institutions to
the supreme test, brought home
the real character of their King
to the consciousness of the Brit
ish people. Previously it might be
said that, though he was generally
respected, his personality had not
deeply impressed itself upon the
nation.
From the beginning of the con.
flict he took his place as the Wis
ible embodiment of the national
spirit and feeling. In his own per-
son he set an example of hard
work, frugality, and, unostenta-
tious living.
The King did not cucumber his
generals by taking the position of a
titular commander-in-chief, but he
kept closely in touch with the
British army in the field. He made
several visits to the front and, on
one occasion, suffered a painful
injury when he was thrown from
his horse while inspecting some
troops.
Almost without warning in 1914
war clouds massed over London,
and. like a storm breaking in the
night, the world was at war.
Britain at War
Belgium had been invaded. Rus
STA was modified. And one fate
full day, August 4, 1914, Great
Britain declared war on Germany
and her allies. She had pledged
to aid her needy troubled neigh
bors.
England knew King George as a
kindly gentleman, but he was far
removed from them. He was the
King. They did not know much
about him. All he seemed to do
was open baZaars, lay cornerstone,
make speeches in a voice lacking
in accent and without inSpira-
ton. They never looked upon him
as a man who had human feelings
like their own.
But, in the days of terror when
the war was new, they turned to
the King like frightened children
before their parents. Thousands
milled around Buckingham Palace.
King George did not betray
them. He came to the windows
and through the gates of the pal
ace and spoke to them quietly,
speaking words of courage and
hope. He set an example, working
is hours day, visiting hospitals,
taking a lead in all charitable
enterprises inspired by soldiers
needs.
Wales Sent to War
Several times he visited the
front. The Prince of Wales was
taken out of school and sent to
war.
The Kings persistence in max
ing personal visits to the front, Of
y1oakiy1o fjrSthand StIIdv of tho