VACANT SEATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 7

VACANT SEATS.

DUKE OFFENDED.

Absence from Armistice Day Service in Paris. VICAR'S ACTION RESENTED. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) PARIS, November 11. I*he Duke of Windsor had made arrangements to attend the Armistice Day service at St. George's Church to-day. Canon Dart, vicar of St. (ieorge's, in a statement to the Press, said: "I would rather the Duke of Windsor did not attend the service. I am glad of all he did in the war, but the attitude of the Church to divorce and remarriage is very definite. "Marriage only ends before IJod when it is ended by death. The Duke conies to my church because he was once on the Throne. I have given him the best seats I can, but I will not speak to him." Until an early hour this morning the Duke discussed with Lord Brownlow and other members of his suite the situation created by Canon Dart's attitude. An officer of the household stated that the Duke wished to do homage to Britain's war dead in a dignified manner as a private citizen and an ex-soldier. He was deeply affected by Canon Dart's statement and would consult officials of the British Legion before reaching a decision. Finally the Duke of Windsor decided not to attend the service, saying that he had no desire to interfere with the ceremony. Members of the British Legion, angered by Canon Dart's attitude, held an indignation meeting outside the church before the service. The flagbearer refused to carry the flag, declaring: "It is a dirty trick. The Duke was a war veteran." Canon Dart, wearing six war medals, addressed the demonstrators, saying: "I do not refuse the ex-King entrance to the church, but I refuse to speak to him. I have informed him I am willing to apologise publicly or privately for the incident." The Legion members decided not to act further, and marched into the church. Two seats remained empty—those reserved for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Canon Dart, interviewed later, said: "An hour before the service I informed the Duke's erpierrv that I had not authorised the statement, attributed to me and if the Duke attended the service he would be received by me and the congregation with all the respect due to the King's brother. The last thing I wished to do was publicly to insult a man unable to defend himself. I wish to take this opportunity of publicly apologising to the Duke."

LEGION GESTURE.

Duke Invited to Cathedral Service. REFUSAL REGRETTED. (Received 1 p.m.) PARIS, November 11. The British Legion in\yted the Duke of Windsor to attend their ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral commemorating Empire dead. The Duke repliedr. "As the observance of the two minutes' silence which I desired to pass in the church with you has gone, I feel it would be inappropriate to be present this afternoon. I hope, however, you will give me the opportunity of meeting you on another occasion." It is stated that the Duke observed the silence in his hotel suite.