KING EDWARD VII.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3703, 13 October 1927, Page 3

KING EDWARD VII.

STORY OF HIS LIFE.

INTERESTING PASSAGES,

London, October 10.

The strong, personality of Edward dominates Sir Sidney Lee’s second volume of the authorised “Life of Edward the Seventh.” From the beginning he asserted his Royal authority in the full direction of foreign policy and military administration. He did not forget that he was head of the army and those ■neglecting to keep him informed were sharply admonished. He jealously watch the award of honours, made frequent suggestions, pressed objections with embarrassing stubborness, and often caused the withdrawal of names! King Edward desired a certain name in the Coronation honours.

•Lord Saflisbury replied calmly: “That) Sire, is impossible.” King Edward: “I wish him to be given a peerage. He must have it.”

The Premier was inflexible and would not comply. He resolved to quit and quitted. RELATION WtITH LIBERALS. The reason why the relations of Mr. Asquith and King Edward were uncordial is given thus. Mr. Asquith always appeared to the King to be reticent, secretive, and reserved, always assuring the King that he did not want to trouble him with difficult matters. The King thought he was deliberately withholding information. Liberal Ministers frequently incurred blame, Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Churchill the oftenest. The King wrote to Mr. Churchill: “His Majesty is glad to see you becoming a reliable Minister, above all, a serious politician, which is only attainable by putting country before party.” The dairy reveals that the King was offended in 1906 when Mr. Lloyd George used his name in the phrase: “The issue at the next election will be whether the country is governed by the King and Peers or the King and people.” IMPERIOUS METHODS.

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman defended Mr. Lloyd George, who professed profound regret if he had offended. The Duke of Connaught in 1906 insisted on relinquishing what he considered his superfluous inspectorship of Mediterranean troops. His Majesty wrote: “The Duke of Connaught must now consider his miliary career at an end, a,nd resign at once. I am much annoyed with my brother’s persistent obstinacy.” When Mr. Balfour announced the French Entente he intimated that he would bring down a Bill giving effect to .cessions of territory. His Majesty objected that the cession of territory rested with the Crown, insisting that if Mr. Balfour were wrong, he should admit it. The diarist writes: “Later the King reluctantly accepted the Prime Minister’s explanation that thus one of the last remaining great royal prerogatives —the power to cede territory—had been taken over by Parliament.” RUSSIAN INDISCRETION.

Several pages are filled with the story of the Royal indiscretion of the King’s visit to Russia in 1908. He disapproved of many of the Liberal and Labour parties who felt strongly about Russian misrule. A debate was forced in the House of Commons, whereupon in anger King

Edward unwisely withdrew the Royal garden party invitations to three of the minority. He later recognised his mistake and removed the ban. ' ■!