Marvelous Thing

Perhaps the most striking tribute Edward of Wales was ever paid--or is ever likely to be paid--was voiced last week by notorious "Emperor" A. J. Cook, the ruthless apostle of "class war" who provoked the disastrous British General Strike (TIME, May 10-24, 1926). Nine Tories out of ten would not disbelieve anyone who told them that Mr. Cook has actively plotted to topple down the British Throne. He has publicly "thanked God for Moscow!" because from that city he received thousands of gold rubles to promote the General Strike. Just now the fortunes of "Emperor" Cook are at considerably lower ebb; and as Secretary of the Coal Miners' Federation he very thankfully waits upon the Lord Mayor's Fund, administered to keep Out-of-work miners from starving. Last week the Lord Mayor of London, well-fed Colonel Sir John Edward Kynaston Studd, gave a luncheon at Mansion House and at the speakers' table sat both Edward of Wales and "Emperor" Cook.

What other speakers said seemed to matter little when the "Emperor" got up and began to speak about the Prince's personal investigation and disclosure of intolerable conditions among the starving miners (TIME, Feb. 11). "It is thanks to him and his example," said Mr. Cook, "that I am able to come here without contaminating any one of you [Tories]. His conduct and attitude have shown that all mankind has qualities in common, one man with every other. He has proved to the miner and his wife and children that in this moment of great suffering they are not forgotten."

"You, sir," cried "Emperor" Cook huskily, turning directly to H. R. H., "You, sir, have done a marvelous thing. Never was I so impressed as by your speech on Christmas night. I was with two Communist friends and when your name was announced to speak on behalf of the miners' fund, they scoffed, but they listened to what you had to say and when you had finished, with tears in their eyes they put their hands in their pockets and gave what money they had to the fund."

After luncheon "Emperor" Cook and the future King-Emperor shook hands as they left the table, and stood chatting for several minutes.

Next morning the Daily Sketch, London tabloid, printed an interview with "Emperor" Cook, quoted him thus:

"The question of monarchy has ceased to be an issue among the working classes. The Prince has been a chief factor in destroying my republicanism. I departed from my revolutionary opinions because the Prince departed from the orthodox conduct of royalty. He has broken the whole tradition of royalty and has made the British throne the safest in the world and himself the safest man in England. He is today the chief advocate of social reform in England. A year ago this statement would have met with hooting and indignation at any labor meeting, but now would receive cheers."

Later "Emperor" Cook received the following telegram: "The political bureau of the Communist party in Great Britain observes your treachery to the workers' cause. It reached a further stage at yesterday's banquet in fawning adulation of a typical representative of the class which battens upon workers."