LONG CONCLAVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 292, 9 December 1936, Page 7

LONG CONCLAVE.

CRISIS MOVING TO CLIMAX. KING, TWO BROTHERS AND PREMIER. VITAL DECISION EXPECTED MOMENTARILY. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, December 8. According to the newspapers, the King's decision might be expected to-day or to-morrow. All eyes were turned to Fort Belvedere, where the Duke of York spent five hours last night. He did not leave till I a.m. to-day. Terrific frost made the roads like a sheet of glass, and this morning caused havoc to traffic. Dozens of motors broke down. The large Royal limousine conveying Mr. Walter Monckton, K.C., the King's Attorney-General, to London at 8.45 a.m. had literally to crawl its way through stranded cars and lorries. The "News Chronicle" political correspondent said the crisis was racing to its climax,' and the decision by the King one way or the other was expected within comparatively few hours. The immediate developments were likely to be the summons of Mr. Baldwin to go to Fort Belvedere and probably a Cabinet meeting in the afternoon or evening. Mr. Baldwin, accompanied by Mr. Monckton, drove off from No. 10, Downing Street, at 3.48. Mr. Monckton arrived at No. 10 a quarter of an hour before. The Duke of Kent is still at Fort Belvedere. The Duke of York again arrived. Preparations were made for additional guests at dinner. At 7.30 to-night Mr. Baldwin had been at Fort Belvedere for over two hou.j. Every window was lighted up, and it was expected the gathering would be prolonged. Unless an emergency arises Mr. Baldwin will not go to the House of Commons, where there is a very small attendance. The Queen has cancelled a proposed visit to the British and European Crown Jewels Exhibition.