The Federal Council of Germany has finally expelled the Guelphs,
declaring that the accession of the Duke of Cumber- land to the vacant throne of Brunswick cannot be permitted. The claim of the Duke of Cambridge, who is next in succession, will also be rejected on the plea that no foreigner can inherit a German throne,—a prohibition which would be extended to the Duke of Edinburgh as heir of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, but for the danger of offending St. Petersburg. It is believed that the Council will avoid transferring the throne to a new dynasty, and will appoint a Regent, probably Prince Henry of Reuss, to act in the Emperor's name. The vote was not unanimous ; but the heavy majority causes some surprise, as the decision is in principle fatal to all the minor thrones. No one disputes the Duke of Cumberland's legal right, and if he can be rejected solely on grounds of Imperial policy, all other P-inces can be evicted on the same plea. The matter is of little mportanee ; but if the Hohenzollerns are left alone in Germany, the chances of the Republican Party will be materially increased. It has always been held by Legitimists that a throne might lawfully pass by conquest, submission to force not being immoral, but this one passes by a political decision. The last Duke but one was deposed as "unworthy to reign," as a lunatic might be, but he was succeeded by his heir.
Previous page
