THE PRINCE ABROAD.

Evening Star, Issue 19002, 25 July 1925, Page 6

THE PRINCE ABROAD.

To seek a parallel to ike energy of tin Prince of "Wales it is necessary to gi back to tbc days of the Blacl Prince. Activity in the servici of bis conn try is the keystom of each life. lint there fin parallel ends, between the Juurtcent! and tlio twentieth centuries then stretches a wide gulf when the puhlii mind in England in its "elation t< foreign policy is considered. Tin earlier Edward, acting in accord will, the tradition of the times, was a warrior who won notable victories on llu battlefields of France. The Edward ol to-day is an ambassador of peace, whoso mission is to sow the. seeds o. friendship and goodwill among tin. peoples of xlie Empire. His grand father, King Edward VII., was a Ist imbued witli peaceful ideals, but his opportunities wore greatly limited b\ the dominating personality of Quern Victoria, and he had turned fifty before his august mother's assent was obtained to his receiving topics of important despatches. When King Edward’s chance did come his efforts wore directed chiefly to the task of endoavoting to encourage good relations among the nations of Europe. King Georgi V. as an officer of the navy, and in his higher capacity, saw much of the world and of the Empire, and ho lias no doubt realised the import-irro of the tours on which the Prince has been engaged. It is not intended to suggest tha.t they were undertaken entirely for any serious purpose. Sport and pleasure have accompanied the Prince on his travels, but he lias also been engaged on duties that entailed self-sac-rifice and the fulfilment of many fat'guing engagements. Speaking soberly, the tours of the Prince have helped materially to encourage a healthy sentiment among the peoples of the Empire, to bring '.bout a better understanding of our advantages and responsibilities, • and to dissipate the mists occasioned by racial antagonisms that stmd in the way of those who ara following the ideal of a self-sup-porting and united Empire. The Prince's African visit has almost concluded. Leaving Portsmouth in H.M.S. Repulse on March £B, the first

calls wen to ihe Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, and Nigerian districts, and the whole tour has been a distinct succor., unbroken by an untoward incident. Briton, Boor/ and jdnek have cordially united to give tho Prince a hearty welcome Next month the Prince will proceed to South America, where visits are tobe made to the Argentine and Uruguay, to he followed by a journey over the Andes into Chile, through ilie finest mountain scenery in South America. The acceptance by the King of tho invitation to the Prince by the President of the Argeinino Republic came ns a genuine surprise at Homo, bet it uas universally approved, and tho people of Argentina have cordially endorsed the action of Dr Do Alvcar. This visit to South America should be of groat benefit, and further min nee ihe good relations which exist between the South American Republics and ihe Home country, and do much to stimulate the demand for British goods in what is actually and potentially one of England’s best markets. Tho time chosen for the visit is an appropriate one, Putins year is the centenary i f the treaty of amity, commerce, and ? avigation between Britain and Argentina. This was tho first recognition by any European! country of tho national existence of any South American State. Since that dale a great trade has been developed between Argentina anti Britain. Much British capita! inns haw invested in the country, and nnporlanl commercial enterprises have, been prosecuted with .success. .1 hough tin ■people are chiefly of Latin descent, tin. porn.latio’. contains a strong Britisi element. Wtih tho Republic, of Chile also wo are on a most friendly tooting. As has boon pointed out, Ihe Prince : visits to these States are only indirect!; of a missionary order, ‘though t ne\ must hive some delimit’.value in thidirection. One desirable res dt will be to confirm tho goodwill and sympathy that exist between the Empire ami these South American Republics, and it is pleasing to reflect that the King ha> been able on b.diall of his ;oa to accept the invitations so courteously extended.