If a Regent is appointed in Germany, it must, of
course, be Prince William. His mother, the Crown Princess, is competent to all political duties ; but her position as Princess Royal of England is not in her favour, and the Emperor's most pressing duty is not political. He is the active Commander-in-Chief of his Army, and in practice it is most difficult to delegate this function to a subject whose impartiality is not trusted like that of the Sovereign. This power could not be exercised by a woman. It appears, moreover, to be forgotten that the strictest Salic Law exists in Germany; not only are women debarred from thrones, but those who claim through them. Hanover was loot to the British dynasty through the operation of this law, and Luxemburg would, in the event of a woman succeeding to the throne of Holland, be lost to the House of Orange- Nassau. It is improbable that, in the face of such a principle, a woman would be recognised as Regent, though, of course, as matter of fact, women have repeatedly ruled German States. The mother of the present Emperor, Queen Louisa, was, for example, for many years the true ruler of Prussia ; but admirable as she personally was, the precedent does not live in German memories as a success.
