KING GEORGE V, HEAD OF THE ALLIES
It is true that King George V of England and the British Empire is one of the chief figures among the Allies, which include England, France and Russia. It is true that his father, King Edward, was largely responsible for the making of the Entente, or treaties, with the Allies, but he no sooner came to the throne when he renewed them and brought France and Russia into more intimate relation than they had ever been.
It was the last week of April of this year that King George V and Queen Mary made a short official visit to Paris. It was a week of splendid festivities. The temporary residence of the British rulers was furnished with the finest of Gobelins, Beauvais tapestry and furniture. All the main avenues and principal thoroughfares from the Gare Saint Lazare out to the Bois were richly decorated with English and French flags and bunting. From the time the royal pair made their entry until they started for home they were greeted by millions of French and English. The streets were crowded all day long with men and women shouting themselves hoarse with "Vive le Roi, et vive la Reine!"
The royal pair were fêted with receptions, luncheons and costly banquets. The intervals were filled with special performances at the opera and the theatre. There were kinemacolors and moving pictures showing the important incidents in the history of the royal pair, especially the Durbar of India. A small English daily was published giving all the doings of the royal pair while in Paris and even at home.
There were a number of important diplomatic meetings between King George and M. Poincare, the French President. The papers reported that King George had made it clear to the French people he wished to continue the friendship that has existed for nearly a century between the countries, and to strengthen the alliance which King Edward had created. By the time the royal pair were ready to make their departure King George had won the reputation of being a great statesman and good diplomat. This he showed in his friendly attitude towards Russia. It was probably in good faith made by France that England accepted a friendly attitude towards Russia, for they had been suspicious of the Czar and his government, fearing that they had designs upon India. Another diplomatic stroke was the treaty that had been made by King Edward with Japan to protect British interests in the Pacific.
These royal visits and treaties show that England had brought herself into closer diplomatic relations with the continent than she had ever done. Until the last fifty years England tried to keep herself as isolated from the European continent as she could. It was only after the Franco-Prussian war, when Bismarck suggested a treaty with Austria, that England commenced to look around for some allies to offset this power. This feeling grew stronger when Germany began to increase and strengthen her navy. For England covets the title of being mistress of the seas, just as Spain did during the time of the Spanish Armada.
King George has shown himself an equally able diplomat and statesman at home. This was especially noticeable when on February 11, 1914, he opened one of the most momentous Parliaments in British history. The Irish crisis was the principal problem during the session, and in his speech his majesty spoke of the question in such momentous words as these: "This question, unless handled now with foresight, judgment and in the spirit of mutual concession, threatens grave future difficulties."
The king was supported in his opinion by Walter Asquith, who has been the firm champion of home rule. He predicted civil war in case the demands of Ireland were not satisfied, and taunted the government with pusillanimity in the face of the recent events in South Africa. He then moved an amendment to the reply to the speech from the throne "that it would be disastrous for the House to proceed further with the government for Ireland until the measure had been submitted to the judgment of the country." He showed his calm judgment and steady hand when the threatened Ulster uprising took place by proposing home rule for all of Ireland that wished it.
These radical moves were the more surprising, for King George was spoken of as a strong conservative when brought to the throne. This was seen by the patience the Queen and he showed during the coronation in England and India. They were spoken of as mere figures by the Liberalists because they went through the endless festivities from the great procession to the numerous banquets with a smile, with words of patience and good cheer. It was the first time in many centuries that an English King and Queen had made a long trip to India to partake in their coronation festivities at Delhi and Calcutta. They wished to renew the pledge made by the late Queen Victoria when she assumed the title of Empress of India, emphasizing the incorporation of the great peninsula into the British Empire that all her Indian subjects were the children of the Great White Queen. They showed that this was more than a promise when they reached Bombay on the 4th of December, 1911. At half-past nine they and their royal suite drove out to the fête grounds, adjoining the Bombay Gymkhana building. Here in an open space some 26,000 children had been drawn up in a large semicircle, over against the centre of which was a dais for the King and Queen. As their majesties drove up at a quarter to ten, four selected groups of children belonging to the European, Urdu, Gujarati and Marathe schools sang each two verses of the National Anthem in their own tongue. Though they sang in their own tongue and danced their native dances, they shouted "Long live the King and Queen" as enthusiastically as would have done the same size body of English children.
The coronation at Delhi took place on the 12th of December. The royal pavilion was used as a centre of a semicircle, with a radius of about 240 yards erected round the circumference for spectators. All around the base of the mound ran a processional road, so that their majesties could drive under the eye of the onlookers. From the southern margin of this road was erected a huge stand with seating accommodations for ten thousand spectators. The stand was protected by a steep, sloping roof, ornamented with Oriental cupolas. The royal pavilion rose from a broad base in three tiers and ascended by broad stairways to a central platform surmounted by a huge gilt dome. The royal dais was protected by a canopy of crimson velvet, trimmed with crimson and gold fringe. At the royal approach the principal officials and the ruling chiefs took their places at the base of the stand. They were dressed in their rich Oriental silks of orange shot with gold or silver ornamented with armlets of gold, jeweled swords, priceless brooches, orders set with rubies and emeralds and diamond ornaments fastened in their caps. The arena was crowded with British and Indian cavalry, handsomely trapped in gold and red velvet. There was a long procession of English cavalry and marines, enlarged by a great number of native cavalry. It was shortly before noon that their majesties appeared at the entrance. The approach was made known by a salute of 101 guns. They were welcomed by the great throng present, every one rising to his feet, and they drove round the grand stand showing themselves to all present. They were welcomed by great shouts of joy with singing and music, British and Indian airs intermingling. After their majesties were seated on the throne surrounded by their suite and attendants, the King rose and announced the ceremony of his coronation in person to his subjects in India. He ended his promise of good faith by these words: "To all present, feudatories and subjects, I tender my loving greetings." Then the Viceroy came forward and expressed his homage, bowing low thrice as he approached the throne. He was followed by the ruling chiefs of Hyderabad, Baroda, Mysore, Kashmer, Rajputana, Central India, etc. These were led by the Nizam, who were dressed entirely in black, except for the yellow, mitre-like headdress. After them came the chief justices and judges of the High Court, the Viceroy's legislative council, the governors and lieutenant-governors. The ceremony lasted for more than an hour, and was extremely picturesque. The British officials dressed in staid blue uniforms made a suitable background for the rich Oriental costumes and priceless jewels worn by the Indian princes. Their salutations were no less interesting than their costumes, as they one by one approached the dais in turn expressing their promise of homage. Some used the gesture of throwing earth on the head once or oftener; others simply bowed. The Rajput chiefs almost without exception laid their swords first at the feet of the King-Emperor and then at the Queen-Empress with deep obeisance. Most interesting of all were the chiefs of Bhutan and of Sikkim, who after bowing reverently, brought out two white shawls, such as they use to drape the images of their most sacred gods, and spread them before their King and Queen. There were other festivities included in the Durbar, one of which consisted of a great banquet to 173 of the most distinguished British and native guests. There was the same display of rich Oriental dress and elaborate, shimmering jewels. The next day the King reviewed his native and British troops, awarding the most valiant of his officers the Albert medal. The King held a levee of his officers while the Queen-Empress received 120 ladies of the families of the ruling chiefs.
Another splendid royal entertainment was a large garden party in the fort of Delhi. There were groups of entertainers and jugglers. These interspersed freely with great lords and ladies and splendid cavalry and infantry. Their majesties soon appeared and took their place on the ramparts, where they received the immense throng. The same ceremony was repeated at Calcutta. While there the King divided his time between the polo grounds and the public hospital. At Nepal the King and his party hunted and they were successful in laying low a good bag of tigers.
Shortly after their coronation the King and Queen showed that they are fond of many of the mediæval traditions. They restored the Order of the Bath and laid much stress on the Knight of the Garter. The Knights of the Garter have a beautiful chapel at Windsor, where each has a stall.
Though King George inherits the diplomatic qualities of his father, he has little sporting blood in him. He keeps a racing stable and has many fine horses. He also attends to all the large races, but he does little betting, because the Queen is opposed to gambling. He is fond of all outdoor sports, such as tennis, golf and polo, and he encourages his sons in these pastimes by joining with them at these sports.
Queen Mary is an ideal companion for King George. For she believes that to be a good Queen means first a devoted wife and mother. She is interested in all the King's affairs, whether it is a coronation in England and India or caring for the wounded soldiers in the hospitals in London. She is fond of good living and dressing, but she is opposed to everything that suggests foolish extravagance. After the coronation she was greatly opposed to the refurnishing of Buckingham Palace. Though she is supposed to wear her state gowns once, she has them remodeled time and again. She objects to modern dancing, especially the hobble skirts. She likewise frowns upon the light-hearted American social leaders, who before her day were so popular at court. When King George ascended the throne the Queen asked him not to smoke anything beyond an occasional cigarette, nor to drink, to bet, nor to have ladies at his club.
The royal family has an ideal home life in London and in the country. Much of their time is given over to sports in fine weather and reading aloud in bad weather. At Sandringham they have great droves of pigeons, which the entire family love and care for.
Little was known of the Prince of Wales until he became of age and inherited his title. He went through this difficult ordeal with ease and grace. He was educated by Mr. Hansell, an English tutor. Later he studied at Osborne and Dartmouth. He did his year's service as a petty officer and went through the discipline and hardships of the common marine. When the war broke out he offered himself for active military service, and was greatly disappointed because he was not accepted. His brothers are being educated in the same simple and unspoiled fashion. His oldest brother, Prince Albert, was born in 1895. He entered the Naval College at Osborne, remained there for two years and then spent two years at Dartmouth. The younger brothers are George, Henry and John. Princess Mary has had her teachers at home; she is a well-educated girl, who has given more time and thought to her study of languages and music than to clothes. She was given her first evening gown for the coronation and her first jewelry when she was sixteen. She will not be allowed to make a formal début until she is of age. The Queen insists that her daughter shall be trained to become an intelligent mother and capable housekeeper before she marries. When she does, it must be a love match. For Queen Mary was engaged to the Duke of Clarence, and after six weeks of courtship he died. Shortly after she was engaged to his brother, Prince George.
Though England and Germany are fighting each other with a death's grip they are closely related. The Emperor is a cousin of King George, and it is said that both King George and Emperor William wanted to bring the two families together. It looked as though the promise would become a reality, for the King and Queen were present at the marriage of the Emperor's daughter—Victoria Luise—to Prince Ernest of Brunswick. The Germans say that the label, "Made in Germany" instead of "Made in England," along with Germany's sympathizing with the Boers, are the causes of their animosity, while the English say that German imperialism and militarism are to be crushed once and for all time.