MR. BALDWIN CONFERS WITH MINISTERS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 63, 8 December 1936, Page 11

MR. BALDWIN CONFERS WITH MINISTERS

Meeting Late at Night KING EDWARD STILL AT FORT BELVEDERE London, December 6. Mr. Baldwin returned to Downing Street at 11.50 a.m., having spent some time with Queen Mary at Marl’borough House. Mr. Baldwin’s consultation with Ministers was resumed. The King remained at Fort Belvedere last night, and lights were seen in the windows as late as 3.30 a.m. Ministers dispersed shortly before 1 a.m., having been in consultation for 2i hours. Mr. W. T. Monckton, K.C., Attorney-General for the Duchy of Cornwall, drove off from Downing Street at 12.55 p.m. in the King’s car, in which be arrived early. He had been at Downing Street for 3A hours. Mr. Monckton returned at night to Fort Belvedere, where the King has remained continuously since 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Officials at Buckingham Palace carried on as usual. The King was in touch by telephone from Fort Belvedere. A large congregation in St. Paul’s knelt in silent prayer after prayers for the King and his Ministers. The Liberal leader (Sir Archibald Sinclair) called at No. 10 Downing Street. The Archbishop of Canterbury called at Downing Street as Sir Archibald Sinclair was departing. The Archbishop spent 50 minutes with Mr. Baldwin. The ‘'Scotsman,” in an editorial, says that the proposed marriage would be incompatible with the dignity of the Crown. It might bring the King great happiness, to which his subjects cannot be indifferent, but if that happiness is to be bought at the sacrifice of the people's devotion and loyalty, lowered prestige of the Crown, and debasement of hereditary monarchy, it is too dear for the nation, if not for the King. LESS ACTIVITY AT FORT BELVEDERE Lights Go Out Earlier MR. MACDONALD CALLS ON MR. BALDWIN (Received December 8, .1.20 a.m.) lyfflidon, December 7. There was less activity overnight at Fort Belvedere, which was confirmed by the earlier extinction of the lights, which have hitherto been visible well into the morning. Mr. Monckton again spent the night there and left at 9.30 a.m. for London. Mr. Malcolm MacDonald was an earlv visitor to No. 10 Downing Street, carrying a bundle of documents which are assumed to be in preparation for Mr. Baldwin's statement in the House i of Commons, which is expected at 3.45 p.m.. after which ordinary business I will be resumed.