THE NEW KING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 100, 22 January 1936, Page 17

THE NEW KING

Proclamation Takes Place To-day WORK STARTED EARLY King Edward Rises Before Dawn By Telegraph.—l’ress Assn.—Copyright (Received January 22, 1,18 a.m.) London. January 21. The proclamation of King Edward VIII takes place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. James’s Palace. King Edward and the Duke of York are flying to London.

Outwardly nothing seemed changed at Sandringham. Only in King EdI ward’s bed-chamber were the blinds drawn. The servants busied themselves with their usual duties and the grooms exercised the horses, including tho white pony on which, less than a week ago, King George was seen riding around the estate. Some servants, however, are broken up with grief, especially Richard Howlett, tall and greyhaired, who was King George’s valet, even before he ascended the throne, lie was more than a servant. He was a friend. “Bob,” King George’s Cairn terrier pet for so many years, is whining continuously. He had been dragged from the door of the bedroom. He never left King George's side at Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Windsor and Balmoral.

Traditions of Service. Carrying on the traditions of service to the Empire which were the lifelong pride of iiis father, King Edward was up before dawn and immediately plunged into affairs of State. At the accession council at 4 p.m. Mr. J. G. McLaren, official secretary at Australia House, is representing Mr. S M. Bruce, Australian High Commissioner.

The Lord Mayor of London, Sir Percy Vincent, has summoned a meeting of the Court of Aidermen early in the afternoon which will hear news of King George’s death and pass a resoln lion of condolence. The Lord Mayor and aidermen will then proceed to the Accession Council and sign the proclamation announcing the King’s death and the succession of King Edward.

During the next two or three days the Lord Mayor, aidermen and sheriffs will go in state from the Guildhall to Temple Bar where the Pursuivant of Arms will be challenged by the City Marshal: “Who comes there?” The officers of arms who will demand entrance to the city will proclaim His Majesty King Edward VIII and will conduct the Lord Mayor after which lite proclamation will be read at the corner of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street and also outside the Royal Exchange. All business is suspended in the city. The Stock, Corn, Rubber and other exchanges are closed. Crowds assembled outside tho Mansion House on their way to offices, many., wearing dark ties. The Union Jack was hoisted at half-mast on the Houses of Parliament as Big Ben tolled eight o’clock. All buildings at Whitehall followed, including the Admiralty, which does not lower its flag except when a Sovereign dies. Mr. Baldwin did not take his usual early morning stroll. His first visitors were church dignitaries, who arrived before fl a.m. An important meeting of the Naval Conference committee to discuss qualitative disarmament lias been cancelled, and the conference will not meet until after the funeral. Windsor Grief-Stricken.

Windsor, which lias the closest ties with the Royal Family, is especially grief-stricken. All blipds are drawn The Castle bells of St. George Chapel tolled hourly. Many shops hod special black boards f n their front windows, Cinemas and theatres closed to-night, and garrison drills were cancelled. Rugby League matches to-morrow, including the Australian trial match at Salford, have been cancelled. London cinemas and theatres are closing. Most other functions, • including the Royal Marine Society dinner, are cancelled. Tlie Lord Chief Justice adjourned the assizes al. Oxford, saying, “As it lias seemed lit to Almighty God Io summon to Himself our gracious King George, tlie court will not sit to-day.” A message from Geneva says Mr. S. M. Bruce has a delicate task in deciding to what extent the death of King George ought to influence the proceedings of the League Council. He is reluctant to propose any adjournment likely to inconvenience delegates coming from distant countries. Mr. Anthony Eden received a stream of callers expressing sincere condolences. First came M. Laval, then Baron Aloisi. M. Litvinov and other members of the Council. Mr. Eden will remain at Geneva till the Council closes. It is felt his presence at Geneva is essential. An effort, however, is being made to expedite tlie work and conclude flic business by January 24.