KING EDWARD VII

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1925, Page 2

KING EDWARD VII

SIR. SIDNEY LED’S REVIEW. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, -March -3. The newspapers are devoting many columns to Sir Sidney Lee s “Life of King Edward Vll” written at the request of the King, and based on private letters. The hook is more interesting owing to the controversy aroused by Sir S. Lee’s article on King Edward in the Dictionary of National Biography. Since then Sir Sidney Leo has largely umditied his opinion <1 King Edward’s character.

The most important revelations deal with the estrangement between King Edward and tbc ex-Ivaiser, which began at the Emperor Frederick's Funeral. Relieving the late Emperor Frederick had in mind the restoration of Alsace and Lorraine to France. King Edward made some guarded remarks which Bismarck resented, as a criticism of his annexation policy. The Kaiser, biding his time, later snubbed King Edward, and actually refused to meet him in Austria. which necessitated King Edward’s leaving Austrian territory dining the Kaiser’s eight days stay in Vienna. Later, the ex-Kaiser during the last visit to Cowes regatta, taunted his undo with never having been in action. Plough the .ex-Kaiser sometimes tried to curry favour with England. Sir »S. Lee shows that, simultaneously, lie was instigating Russia ami Era nee to attack England. During the South African War, the ex-Kaise; tried to foist a plan of campaign for British armies upon the Royal family. He actually said that a. military defeat in South Africa would bring no more disgrace to England than the recent defeat of the English cricket team in Australia. The ex-Kaiser’s schemes miscarried. as France and Russia refused to join in a combination against England. Other interesting pages reveal grim discipline in King Edward s early education. when lie was a pretty, delicate-

looking hoy. with a touching belief in the omniscience of his lather. A portentous figure in the hoy’s life was Huron Stockmnr, his fathers’ lifelong mentor. Stockmar was always the Royal parent’s court of appeal. German influences were strong ill his childhood, and even King Edward never quite lost a residue of German accent, though later he had an exact knowledge of French. Sir S. Lee says that games of chan api ealed to King Edward’s love of adventure. Sometimes he visited heavy stakes at the <ard table on the challenge of highly speculative companions’. Late hours were congenial, and lie openly indulged in pigeon shooting at Hurlingham. He was ready to accept Biondin’s proj/oxal to wheel him in a barrow on a tight rope over the Niagara Falls. As Prime of Wide F.dward lior. ihed his old fu-hioned courtiers by during are.it Dm don m hired cabs. He had a genius tor friendship, and never forsook a worthy irieml. and never forgot a tare. H-- ! M tieuhn ly valued turf friendships. He gave evideme in the Mo. daunt divorce <a.-c. calmly denying allegations against him. The allegations wove ill-suppc'ited. but LilVaid was hissed next time he appeared m public. A feature of the biography is an amazing record of the late King s ac-

tivities in diplomacy, politics, and social reforms. Only when Edward started his series of foreign travels was his insight into the ways ot the world revealed. If is interest- in public aifairs brought him into coniiict with Queen Victoria, who had a (crtain jealousy of her son. H was many years he lore the Prince was allowed access to official documents. As a peacemaker, the Kill"- was in touch with all leading personalities of his. day. His opinion was freely canvassed on ioreign alfairs. Eight hundred, closely printed pages carry the story to King’Edward s coming to the throne. A second volume, covering his reign, will he issued at the end of 1D25.