At the ceremony of investing the Crown Prince with the
insignia of the Garter the King made one of those remark- ably happy and tactful little speeches for which he is justly becoming renowned. After informing the Prince that it had been the Queen's wish to confer the honour upon him and thanking the German Emperor for coming "at a moment's notice" and assisting him (the King) "in tending and watching over the Queen and remaining with her until the last moment," the King continued : " I desire to express a hope that my action in conferring upon you this ancient Order may yet further cement and strengthen the feeling which exists between the two great countries, and that we may go forward hand in hand with the high object of ensuring peace and promoting the advance of the civilisation of the world." That was a very proper sentiment, but it must not, of course, be construed to mean that we have entered upon any agreement with Germany of a nature hostile or aggressive towards other Powers. On the Continent Sovereigns and states- men are too apt to talk of being leagued to secure peace when they mean war, but needless to say there was no such sinister meaning behind the King's words. The King is a consti- tutional King, and if there is ever anything to be said about alliances he will leave the task to his Prime Minister, exactly as his mother would have done.
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