The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-14
Observations
Royalty Still
Has Chance to
Redeem Self
by Helen Essary)

When / was very young and read
The Brothers Grimm and Hans
Christian Andersen ! believed that
kings and princes were brave and
wise. They were god like people
who inspired the loyalty Of their
subjects by their own courage and
leadership. They were rulers he
cause they were men OF fine quail
fly,
When an enemy galloped across
the border. the king or one of his
strong young. princely sons rode
forth at the head of his warriors,
and tried TO drive back the inyad-
er. The safety of his people was
the personal responsibility of the
sovereign.
| have been brooding over this
early conception OF kingship and
its duties and | have decided that
st needs to be revived seriously in
the postwar world we are so hope
fully planning.
Most of the kings OF this war
wracked era are not worth their
salt Much less their yitamin tab
lets and spotty ermine. Most of
them instead of eagerly embracing
their responsibility to the subjects
who keep them in royal purple
palaces have run away from that
responsibility
Nevertheless, royalty may yet
redeem itself Al this very hour
almost, frightened princelinss
may show that royal blood has yet
a few red corpuscles in its thin
ming stream How? you ask.
This is the answer prince OF
every royal house should be in the
front line of the army of invasion
now gathering for combat \
prince or, better, king should
take actual physical part il the
redemption of his own country.
He should pray and plan that he
may recover some Of that old spr-
# that set plumed monarchs off
on charging steeds to fight the foe.
Where are the kings and prince
lings Of Europe? Mostly they are
scattered about in upholstered
spots bought with the money re-
ceiyed from the subjects who are
doing the fighting for them.
King George of England has re-
manned in England. This IS what
be should have done. He desery-
es credit for remaining only by
comparison with the kings who
have fled Prince Christian OF
Denmark has also remained in his
own country. Now is the moment
for him to step out ahead OF his
men. not wait until the way has
been made safe This should be
the aim also Of Leopold OF the Bel
CLANS. still In Belgium.
Prince Bernhard, husband of
Juliana. heiress to the throne of
the Netherlands. has said he would
soon be back in Holland. Excel
lent, He should already have pre-
pared himself to fight with the in
yaders in some capacity. Prince
Olaf Of Norway. who will some day
succeed his father, King Haakon,
is famous yachtsman. Even in
this country he has won trophies
as a sailor. How splendid IL ne
should use his knowledge Of sea
manship in guiding the fleet that
must drive the enemy out Of his
fathers fioEds.
King George OF Greece, who
fought against Italy. Is now in
Cairo. He should be arranging to
go back TO his own country with
the first detachment Of his own
people. The place Of Italy in the
world is not too much admired af-
ter its change Of heart and am
munition in the present war. Vic
tor Emmanuel is too old TO fight.
but his son. Umbarto. is not too
old to fight. The king himself
might make character for his coun-
try by at least being in the dang
er zone He is now in southern
Italy, being looked after.
1t doesn't please me especially 10
realize that young American sol
diers are giving their lives to res
cue the countries whose rulers are
living in comfort. Otto OF Austria
and his lively brothers should be
doing something to restore The
faith Of the world in the right of
the Hapsburgs to exist.
Juan, pretender TO the Spanish
throne and son OF the late King
Alfonso, is now in Switzerland
There's another Spanish pretend
er Xavier. scouting around some
where. Here are two strong boys
either Of whom might advance his
cause further by getting into the
thick of the battle rather than by
scheming for the big day.
Peter OF Yugoslayia is in Cairo
out Of danger. He was at the front
with the air forces OF his own
country. Carol Of Rumania instead
of hiring a press agent TO get him
out of Mexico across the border
and behind the safe walls OF the