OCR Text |
Show GEORGE V. All those who remember the Victorian reign in Great Britain, will recall the pessimsitic reflections, both in the United States and European countries, regarding the probabilities of a continuance of the present royal family on the throne of England. Predictions were freely made that the then Prince of Wales would never be crowned. At the end of the reigii of Edward VII, many disquieting rumors ru-mors were afloat as to the peculiar unfitness of George V, the present monarch. Many reports tending to reflect on George's ability were spread broadcast, and many qualities entirely contradictory contradic-tory were attributed to him. King George is reported re-ported to be essentailly democratic in his tastes by one writer, and another writer no doubt equally well informed as to the king's characteristics, authoritatively au-thoritatively informs us that he has a decided leaning toward aristocracy and prerogative. He is described as lacking in thoroughness and as being extremely thorough. Other equally gro tesque statements concerning the new king have emanated from somewhere, so that the conclusion is inevitable inevita-ble that somebody does not know what he is writing writ-ing about, a condition which prevailed in the Victorian Vic-torian era concerning King Edward. Certain it is that King George has traveled over a large portion por-tion of his dominions and no doubtless has ; profited by the education which it was his right and privilege privi-lege to enjoy. Whether he turns out to be a good king is for the future to tell. No one we believe has questioned his ability as a sailor. He was bred to the navy. He ascends the throne in the midst of a constitutional consti-tutional crisis in an hour approximating revolution, revolu-tion, when the Liberal party is attempting the overthrow of the House of Lords. It is doubtful if anybody knows just what the king will do in this matter; doubtful if his closest advisers know, or that the king himself knows. If he can be said that the reign of George V has really begun, it must be said that it has begun well. He showed plainly that he realized the responsibilities of his new position in his address a few hours after hi3 father's death. And when he issued ordera permitting permit-ting the resumption of business throughout the ef-pire, ef-pire, he evidenced a thoughtfulness for the common com-mon welfare that was not hampered by any pomposity pom-posity so often attributed to kings. The fight involving the very life of the House of Lords will be delayed for a time, but the question inevitably will come up again. And when it is final ly threshed out in the commons and the lord3, the final decision will devolve upon the king. But whether that final decision will be favorable to the Conservatives or to the Liberals under Premier As-quith As-quith no man can tell. Surmise, pessimistic and optimistic according to its source, is about all there is upon which to base an opinion as to where the king's influence. will be cast, and how much it will amount to when the decision is finally made. |