A POLITICAL "TRUCE OF GOD."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 7

A POLITICAL "TRUCE OF GOD."

THE LORDS AND THE KING'S ; DEATH, PRIME MINISTER RETURNING. London, May 8. The "Suuday Times" soys the general feeling favours delay, if not compromise, in the Constitutional 'struggle between the Government and the House 1 of Lords. " . The newspaper "Observer" pleads'for a Trilco of God as a menus to a con--1 ferenco of leading statesmen on both ' sides with a view to mitigating, or at ' any fate postponing, tho great Constitutional struggle, and _ thus give tho King a period of grace in which to con- . sider his ebming responsibilities. , [The Truce of God was a suspension , of private feuds which wus observed, f chiefly in the eleventh and twelfth con- , turicS in European oountrios. The ; terms of such a truco provided that , Eucli feuds should ccase on all tlie more important Church festivals and fasts, [ or from Thursday evening to Monday , morning, or during the period of Lent | or the like. This practice, introduced . by the Church during the middlo ages , to mitigato tho evils of private war, fell . gradually into disuse as the rulers of tho various countries became moro powerful.] [ Thero is a strong tendency oil the i Paiis Bourse, due to rumours emanating from London to the effect that the Liberal leaders intend postponing for twelve months action on the Lords' p Veto question, ' 'J'he Prime Minister, Mr. Astpiith, learned tho news of the King's death when off" Gibraltar, the niessago being a wireless one. The Admiralty yacht Enehantress, on board which vessel ho was, immediately sailed for England. " She should arrive on Monday. 3 After the House of Commons' special , sitting, members in the lobbies earnestly discussed' the Constitutional issues, It i was pointed out that revision of tho I iiwlgot of 1010 and the new Civil List j were tlni first matters of urgency. It is the view of a large contingent I of Labour members that tho latter is likely to occupy some tinio, and that this will perhaps avert a general elece tinn. b CHORUS OF THE NATIONS. "HARE QUALITIES OF HEART." I London, May 8. 1 There comes an endless stream of - tokens ot sorrow from nil countries, inf eluding Greece, Turkey, the Balkans, Scandinavia, anil China. ; The. Kaiser ami Ui<> Kings o! Orceci?, i, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, will come

to England For the funeral. Tho Kaiser and the Emperor Franz Josef of Austria are greatly distressed. The Mikado ami the Empress of Japan are deeply grieved. The Berlin and Vienna Courts will observe n month of mourning. THE KAISER'S SORROW. Tho Kaiser, in acknowledging a sympathetic message from the President of the Reichstag, thanks the Reichstag for its sympathy ill tho deep sorrow caused him h.v the unexpected death of his beloved uncle. German Army and Navy officers are to go into mourning for a week, and * King Edward's Prussian regiment of Dragoon Guards for three weeks. The "North German Gazette" pays a tribut-o King Edward's gifts and spontaneous amiability, an amiability which had endeared him to all with, whom ho came in contact. The paper adds: "The King bos been reft from tho nation in the midst of a life fruitful of activity. History will hold, hit memory in high honour." The "Frankfurter Zeitung" notes the gradually improving relations between Britain 'and Germany during King Edward's closing years. (Rec. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) The Kaiser spent an hour and a half at the British Embassy, Berlin, on 1 Sunday. Ho spoke in terms of the deepest sorrow of his uncle's death, and referred in tho agost affectionato terms to his English relatives. He is ready to start for England when he is informed as to the arrangements. / FRENCH FEELINC. Tho French Ambassador, M. Cambon, on behalf of France and his fellowdiplomatists, visited Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary), and expressed warm condolences with Queen Alexandra, King George, and other members of tho Royal Family, and with the Government and the nation. Ho eulogised King Edward's loftiness, of inind, Tare qualities of heart, and his unvarying 1 ■ kindness.' M. Cambon was also the 1 boaror of messages from parish, muni- ■ cipal, and other public bodies ill France. 1 At 1 o'clock on Saturday morning tho Embassy in Paris had not hoard tho 1 nows, : but the newspaper telegrams Spread liko wildfire in the night refitaur- ' ants, where practically everyone called for his bill, put on his hat, and went out' silently. Before '2 o'clock Montniartro was deserted. (Rec. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) , The French Premier, M. Briand, in 3 an interview, said it was impossible not to be struck with the French people's i emotion at the death of France's friend, f Franco's grief was sincere and pro--3 found. i (Rec. May 9, 10.10 p.m.) 3 Replying to the . condolences of the 3 French President, M. Fallieres, King ! George declares that France's sytopathy , and valued friendship' contribute to helping tho Royal Family and the naj tion to hear tho hieasureless grief from 0 which they are now suffering. ' SPECIAL TOKEN IN ITALY. 1 Tho Italian Senato adjourned for u threo days. Tho Minister for Foreign ? Affairs (tho Marquis San Giuliano) in • a speech in tlio Senate, recalled his impressions of King Edward when lie i- (tlio ( Marquis) was Ambassador in Lonr r don.' -King' Edward's parting words to him ,Vrbro:."l hayo.done 6 Tile first words King Edward spoke t ] at Homo to intimato friends on ascending thoitlirono expressed in ..familiar sporting, languago the samo idoa: "I will play the game." Ho was as good ' as his word. That powerful, conipro- " liensive sense of'duty, which was'oneof a tho chief factors in British greatness, was, without ostentation and with peril feet simplicity, the constant rule of .all I King. Edward's, actions and thoughts. ® Britain (added the Minister) was not alone in her grief, which was fully >- shared by Italy, who was united with 1, Britain in tho same fervent faith— !t Liberty. , 0 Signor Lumtti,. the-Italian.Premier, II has ordered the flags to bo flown at e half-mast on all public buildings until i, further notice. o o THE UNITED STATES. if . r Prosident Taft has cabled to King i- George:—"ln renewing tho condolences o of tho American Government and 0 people, I convey tho heartiest good 6 wishes for tho prosperity of your reign." Tho Stock Exchanges in Philadelphia and Chicago,, and the C'dtton Exchanges in New York and Now Orleans are closed. The. Stock Exchange in New York will j)e closcd till May 11. In a message to President Taft, King George says: "I am deeply grateful to you nnd your Government and people for your condolence and good wishes." (Roe. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) The New York Produce Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade will close at noon on tho day of tho funeral. JAPAN AND RUSSIA. There is great gloom in Toltio. All public functions have been suspended. Tho newspapers appear with black borders. They eulogise King Edward, and -stato they are convinced his demise will not affect the Anglo-Jnpaflese Alliance. Tho journal "Hoclii Shimbun" (a leading daily published in Tokio) devotes a column in English to tho death of the King. - I The Tsar and Tsaritsa farewelled the Dowager Empress (Queen Alexandra's sister), who, with . the Grand Duke Michael Alexajidravitch, has started for London. (Rec. May 10, 0.23 a.m.) The St. Petersburg correspondent of "Tho Times" states that, when the Tsar was presented with tlio usual order that tho Court should go into mourning for a month as a tribute to a deceased foreign Sovereign, tho Tsar promptly altered tho ordor, inscribing three months' mourning. All tho Russian newspapers warmly oulogiso King Edward and rccogniso the great influence ho wielded in the removal of the traditional misunderstanding with Russia and tho establishment of the Triplo Entente. Tho TSa'r, the Tsaritsa, and tho Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses will attend the scrvico in the English Church at St. Petersburg on the day of tho funeral. The Eov. Mr. Lombard, preaching in tho English' Church at St. Petersburg on peacemakers,' compared Britain's loss with that sustained by Russia in tho death of Alexander 11. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. King Alfonso and Queen Ena of Spain sent an affectionato message to King George and tho Royal Family. The Court at Madrid will go into full mourning for n iortuight'and half Humming for another fortnight. The' day of tho funeral will bo ol>served in* Portugal as a day of mourning. King Manoel will attend the funeral. AUSTRIAN VIEW—THE REICN AN ERA. (Rec. May 9, 9.1-j p.m.) London, May 0. Tho "I'remdeablatt" (Vienna), in tho

course of a high tribute to tho late King, says: "King Edward crowded so much into his nine years' reign that it is not an episode but an era in Britain's hist<tfy. When lie ascended the throne, Britain knew not what she had gained; as ho goes to the grave, sho knows not how much sho has lost." (Rec. May 9, 10.10 p.m.) Suleiman Elfendi, brother and heirapparent of the Sultan of Turkey (Mohammed V), will attend the funeral, along with tho Turkish Minister of Affairs, ltifaat Pasha (formerly .'urkish Ambassador to Britain). Tho Sultan of Zanzibar is now at Naples. Ho will attend the funeral. The municipality of Marienbad (the Lustrian watering-place, where ■ King Edward frequently stayed) will send a deputation to the funeral. CHORUS OF DOMINIONS. BOERS' "PERSONAL FRIEND." 'WIDOWED INDIA" MOURNS HER . HUSBAND. 'London, May 8. The magnitude of the Empire's loss, ind the aspirations towards the unimpaired maintenance of tho great liberal iraditions of Queen Victoria and King Edward's reigns, are the main theme if public and newspaper comments in 3outh Africa, Canada, West Indies, and ather dependencies. Tho Governor-General of Canada (Earl Grey), members of tho Canadian Cabinet, and. tho Lieutenant-Governors of tho Provinces, took fresh oaths of allegiance. The bells in all the churches were tolled. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has; cabled a feeling messago to tho Earl of Crewe on behalf of the Government and the peoplo of Canada. Sir Edward Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, will attend tho funeral. South Africa—Notablo Words by Botha. The Duko of Coniiaught (brother'of the King) or his son (Prindo Arthur) will open the South African Parliament, which was to have been opened ,by the Prince of Walos (King George). General Botha, Premier of the Transvaal, in a 'striking interview, recalls King Edward's noble wclcomo to himself and Generals De la Rcy and' De Wet when they visited England after the war. They were deeply impressed, I and, with softer feelings, became convinced that his Majesty, the Sovereign af a nation to which they, would henceforth belong, could bo regarded as a sincere friend. "I feel, deeply. We lose, besides a Sovereign, a great personal friend." Mr. Fischer, Premier of Orange River ■Colony, speaking at Bloemfontein, said: "In these times of unrest I know none whom the world coukl so ill spare, and whoso loss to humanity I moro deeply deplore. 0 ran gin sincerely shares in the Empiro's grief." • , The Stock Exchanges,' Government offices, arid theatres in South Africa are closed, and sporting fixtures liavo been postponed. Mr. Merriman, Premier of Cape Colony, has communicated to. the Secretary for tho Colonios (Lord Crowo) tho condolence of Cape Colony. .(Rec. May 10, 0.2-5 a.m.) Mr. Sauer, Minister for Public Works in, Cap^iColony,,..referred to King Edward as the greatest diplomatist in Europe, and added: "With regard to South Africa not a circumstance Outside our conDnes could be "regretted more or : could bo moro unfortunate. King Edward took a broad statesmanlike view of South African affairs." India and Egypt. Rater's Calcutta agent states that rcferenoo to tho late King was made in all the churches and mosques. Hindu, Hindu Jain, and Budtlhigt prie,sts are preparing special prayers. ' A common phraso heard among the Bengalis is:—"Widowed India, mourns her dead luisbaiul." ■ Even educated Bengalis connect tho King's death with tho appearanco of Hulle.v's comet. (Rec. May 9, 9.15 p.m.)

Special largely-attended services have boon hold in tho cities l>f India.; At a hugo mass meeting in Lahore a resolution was carried expressing deep regretat the "demise of our beloved Sovereign, who was truly the fathfer of his people."' Persons of all nationalities in Egypt ar© in mourning, and fetes have been postponed. The thea-tres are closed.' Minuto guns wero fired'at-Gibraltar,. .Malta, and tho other stations. Australia. Sydney, May 9. Sixty-eight minute guns were iired today at the various centres. All the church bells tolled for one hour, as today is regarded as tho official day of mourning. All tho public offices will observe tho same hours as Christmas Day. Throughout tho State of Queensland thoro is universal mourning. MR. ROOSEVELT. A QUIET VISIT TO BERLIN. y Tcleeraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) London, May 9. Tho visit to Berlin of Mr. Roosevelt (whoso programme, it was cabled yesterday, has been grcat-ly modified owing to tho King's death) will be of the quietest nature. FROM IRELAND. THE SOVEREIGN'S REPLY. (Roc. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) ' London, May 9. The Earl of Aberdeen, Lfird-Lieutoh-ant of Ireland, in a message to Queen Alexandra expressed tho whole-hearted sorrow and deep sympathy with her in her great grief, which was shared by all tho people of Ireland. Queen Alexandra, in' reply, expressed her sincere thanks for the sympathy convoyed in the message. In similar terms, Lord Abordeon conveyed to King Georgo his personal sharo in tho lamentation at tho loss of a great and wiso Sovereign. King George replied thanking Lord Abordeon for his kind message of sympathy in "mine and the nation's overwhelming loss." TO SANDRINGHAM TENANTS. FROM THE ROYAL LANDLORD. (Rec. May 9, 9.15. p.m.) London, May 9. ■ King George, in a message to tho people on the Sandringham Estate, refers to the irreparablo loss of tho lato King, and adds: - - "King Edward dearly loved his country home, and was ever mindful of tho interest and well-being of ono and all there. My feelings will always' bo tho same as his,"