Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 290, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1918 — AMERICAN EDITORS ARE GUESTS OF ROYALTY IN GREAT BRITAIN [ARTICLE]

AMERICAN EDITORS ARE GUESTS OF ROYALTY IN GREAT BRITAIN

Journalists Are Entertained by King George and Queen Mary at Sandringham—Worry About Clothes Is Soon Set at RestKing Upsets the Arranged Program and Hasa Bully Day With His Visitors.

London.—The American editors on tour of England were notified, after a round of rather severe social entertainments and of dutiful attendance upon various political functions, that King George and Queen Mary would be graciously pleased to receive them at Sandringham on Sunday, October 13. It was intimated that it was a most unusual concession, for his majesty and his court preferred to observe the traditions and keep themselves to themselves, apart from the formalities of their positions, at their country seat-r-on the Sabbath day, at least. Sandringham is the summer home of royalty, about one hundred mil’es from London on the eastern coast near the sea. It had been acquired and developed by. King Edward, and was his private estate, the location of his fine racing stables and splendid gardens, and it is now the permanent residence of his widow, Queen Alexandra. The first group of American magazine and periodical editors and writers, through a coincidence now •in London, were also Included in the royal command, and together all were to go, furnishing for his majesty his first personal view of composite American journalism. .The proposed audience, it was hinted by those who arranged it, was substantial and convincing evidence of the high Interest of the king in the forthcoming entente between the two great English-speaking nations. One hears much on that fruitful subject just now in England. Editors Worry About Clothes. The first result of the royal invitation. throw the gratified editors Into a flutter of discussion about the Kind of dress needed for a court presentation. The ministry of information, which has the Journalists in charge, gravely Informed them, however, that ft was to be no formal occasion but a social and unofficial visit at the week-end to Sandringham, and thpt nobody need to He awake o’nights worrying about whether to wear a high hat and morning dress, or the usual work-a-day suit of the average American. But the decision of the” ministry did not entirely settle this Important matter, nor did the ministry Itself adhere to its ruling for informality. Some officious personage came hurriedly from headquarters and announced that it would be strictly

summer —the pleasant hunting season —and here all the children of George and Mary were born. b Made to Feel at Home. A drive of about a mile through winding ways and over an attractive landscape brought the party to Sandringham. A functionary tn a bright red coat, decorated with many medals, indicating worthy service in the Life guards, ushered them into the waitingroom. There were other officials who had no special insignia of rank or, station,- and who, with well-bred ease, put themselves so touch at the disposal of the guests that they soon felt quite at home. King George was attended by Queen Mary, the Dowager Queen Alexandra, Princess Mary (his daughter), Princess Victoria (his sister) and several ladies-in-waiting. A very old man, Sir Richard Probyn, a hero of Indian warfare and possessor of the Victoria cross, was the personal attendant and courtier of Queen Alexandra. The king was garbed in an ordinary business suit, and all the court ladies were dressed much as one sees every day the women of America in any American- city,, in admirably fitting tailored suit*. There was no ostentation or stiffness, and but little ceremony. The party had been individually warned not to offer to shake hands with the king or queen unless they first made the approach, which i hey did in every instance. “Address him always .as ‘your majesty’ and the queen in the same way, and the princess ‘your highness,’ ” It was said. Some of the editors perhaps forgot the rules, nut no one attempted any familiarity, arid certainly none was invited; but every one of the royal personages, after the introductions, descended into easy conversation with someone or other of the Ainericans.

Gets Laugh Out of King. The pictures of King George do not do him justice. He. is animated in action, ready and distinct in speech, with an inclination toward the humorous, and affable in manner, without condescension. He is not afflicted with the English habit of swallowing his words, and he is at a loss at no time for something to say. He expressed to all the editors, without constraint, his pleasure at their visit arid showed an understanding of American affairs and of the purpose of their coming to England which was-quite surprising. It is not permissible to quote him directly on any matter of politics or statecraft, but probably it will not be objectionable to repeat that he is in accord with the sentiment in England for a close union with the great American republic—no binding agreement, no formal league, no contract alliance, merely a rapprochement which would prevent any vital disagreements and which would mean harmony and unity among all the English-speaking nations of the world with resultant benefit to civilization and humanity. Someone had the temerity to say that the Republican party in America sadly needs a candidate for president, and asked if the king might not come to America and stand foT the nomination with the assurance of certain election. The king merely responded to the novel suggestion with" a loud “Ha-Ha." The laugh of England’s king is ready and contagious. He understands an American joke. He likes baseball, too. He was immensely interested in his several reviews of American troops, and he permitted it to be understood that he would like soon to see again the American soldiers in camp or on march. King and Queen as Guides. After many pleasantries with the king and queen and their attendants, the guests were asked if they might not desire to go over Sandringham. Ail were, of course, delighted to say yes, and the whole company started, under the guidance of the king and queen, over the grounds. The king and queen walked*rapidly. First there

de rlgeur to wear a top hat and a cutaway, and other such apparel. After dne arrangements luyl been made to accord with this latest decision as to the correct thing in court fashions, some one higher in authority at the last moment gave out final word that everybody might dress as he pleased, but that the king would undoubtedly prefer to see his guests in the costumes they ordinarily wear at home. The controversy being happily concluded the editors started off for Sandringham in the garb which each of them thought best suited to his style of beauty. For the most part silk . hats went by the board. ” The time of the visit was most auspicious. Great news had just come out of Germany to the effect that she had decided -to capitulate, after four years and more of war, and it was to be supposed that the atmosphere sbout Sandringham would be most congenial for felicitations. There are no Sunday papers worth the name in Great Britain, but the king, of course, had his own private Information about the happy turn of events. A royal messenger was Indeed in the train which bore the 23 Americans to Sandringham. His office was to tell King George what he already knew. King Upsets Program. The journey to Sandringham was taken in a special train, under a semicloudy sky, through a lovely scape. There was a glimpse of the famous college town of Cambridge, and of the historic cathedral at Ely. The party arrived at the Sandringham station reserved for the guests of royalty abcut two o’clock and found waiting there three spick and span carryalls. There had meanwhile been received from the major domo of the . ministry specific Instructions as to how - the party was to be received. They were to be divided into three groups, and each of them was to enter the august presence separately and was to remain not more than ten minutes. It was expected that his majesty would have had quite enough in that brief period. But it proved that this thought of the courtiers who seek to decide Just who shall be privileged to bask in'the smiles of royalty, and how long, was erroneous. For the king upset tfie entire program and had a “bully” day with his visitors, as Mr. Roosevelt might call it; so did his family. All ceremonies were quickly waived and forgotten, and everybody had a (grand time. 1 Sandringham is a noble estate with fine drives, spacious lawns, prodigal (greenery and occasional lakes and ponds. Queen Alexandra, the mother ®f the king, occupied the “castle,” (Which is no castle at all. but a fine icountry house. The king dwells, during his stay there, in a comparatively ■modest place called York cottage. Eere he rests for several weeks In the

was a visit to York cottage, where there was an Intimate view of how the royal family lives. Some one of the king’s entourage took charge of certain groups of the editors and each appeared to be anxious to show the advantages'* arid" attractions of the great estate at its best One curious journalist asked half-a-dozen lords and ladles In turn what was the area of Sandringham and all said they did not know. But the king promptly seftled all doubts by ruling that it Is 15,000 acres.

York cottage Is a plain brick dwelling of 15 or 20 rooms, of only moderate size, with a workshop or study for the king. If there were any special courtiers' or equerries there they were not seen. The equipment In furniture and in modern conveniences was complete and in some respects elegant, but there are many homes in America which might be compared favorably with it. There was a long tour afoot to the gardens and to the stables, both the particular hobby of King Edward. A pony cart driven by the faithful Probyn, followed the company around. It was forthe use of Queen Alexandra, but she, went the entire rounds with the others and did. not at any time appear to lose interest In her guests or in what they were saying and seeing. ' ' In the viciffity of the royal stables is a great statue of Persimmon, which won the Derby in 1896, and which was a pet of the former king. He was bred at Sandringham. It is a magnificent effigy of a splendid horse. In the stables were many animals each in charge of an attendant who brought them out for exhibition. Both the king, queen and the dowager queen busied themselves in passing to the thoroughbreds carrots which they took with great gusto. In alb, there must be 100 first-« class animals in the stables. The chief of the stud is “Friar Marcus,” which was never beaten as a two-year-old. Several members of the party who had the fortune to fall In with Queen Alexandra were asked to accbmpany her to a place she called a “workshop.” It appears to be modeled somewhat after the artcraft establishments com-' mon in America. There were many beautiful specimens of delicate handmade furniture. The companions of. the queen delighted with what they saw and said so, of course; whereupon she graciously presented to each of these surprised and somewhat embarrassed Americans a tea table. One of the pieces will go. to Buffalo, one to San Francisco and one to Portland.

King Shows His Library. The tour was completed by a second visit to Sandringham, where tea was served. It was a rather elaborate function, though all the- royal party continued to mingle with the visitors in the most democratic fashidn. The king'later expressed a desire to show the editors his library, doubtless with the idea that it should be of special interest to men in a supposedly literary calling, as it was. It had been a bowling alley, but King Edward had thought it would be more useful and ornamental as a of study and reflection, and he iriade the change. Then the king led the way to Sandringham chapel, a wonderful little house of worship with many appropriate decorations and memorials. Then he took them back to his reception room where he and the group bade good-bye to all their guests, shaking hands with each in turn. If they were asked to come again, at least one of the Americans did not hear it. It may be assumed - that it is- not the royal custom, for there was every evidence to show that the hosts were as pleased'with the event as the guests were. „ The king has .ths appearance and mariner of an alert, quick-thinking, well-informed, , well-groomed, middleaged man of business. Queen Mary, a stately and beautiful woman, with something of the grand manner, was throughout most gracious to her visitors, and entered into the festivities in a very lively spirit. Queen Alexandra, dressed In complete black, has a noble presence, with an indescribable personal charm. Princess Mary, yet a very young lady, ,was garbed quite simply, but most tastefully. She was everywhere among the editors, who found it impossible to resist hes girlish and vivid personality. - It was, a great day for the editors. They saw'the king and the queen, and the king and queen saw them.