NO REFERENCE IN THE LORDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 313, 5 December 1936, Page 9

NO REFERENCE IN THE LORDS

THE ISSUES AT STAKE. OFFICIAL STATEMENT AWAITED. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received December 5, 10.35 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 4. No reference was made to the constitutional issue in the House of Lords, whose sitting lasted only a few minutes. The House adjourned until Alonday. So far there has been no official statement as to the issues which have arisen between the King and his Alinisters. MRS SIMPSON IN PARIS. UNEXPECTED CHANNEL CROSSING. STRICT SECRECY MAINTAINED. Received December 5, 9.55 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 4. Airs Ernest Simpson arrived at Dieppe early this morning. A Central News Agency representative on the same steamer says that Airs Simpson’s arrival aboard was a complete sui-prise. A car drove up just before sailing time and three men and a heavily-veiled woman walked to the passport office, and quickly passed and went to their cabins. A car was awaiting them at Dieppe. The party set off at 2 a.m. and stayed at Rouen till 11 a.m. They later arrived in Paris, where messages suggest that Mrs Simpson is staying with Lady Charles Mendl at the Villa Trianon, Versailles. A Paris message says the police admit they were instructed yesterday to maintain the strictest secrecy regarding Airs Simpson’s movements. It is understood she travelled to Paris in one of the King-’s private cars. The King, as Prince of AVales, had tea at the Villa Trianon in the autumn of 1935; Mrs Simpson was also present then. Lady Alendl is a great friend of Airs Simpson. Tlie men accompanying Airs Simpson are believed to be a detective and a secretary. An earlier message stated that a passage for Airs Simpson and her aunt, Airs Alerryman, had been booked on a Channel boat from Dover to Dunkirk, but was cancelled at the last moment. Airs Simpson was believed to be staying with friends in.the country in Surrey. A taxi loaded with several cases had left her town house.

DRAMATIC DAY. KING CLOSELY GUARDED. ROYAL CONSULTATIONS. LONDON, Dee. 4. The King’s movements last evening were closely guarded by police at Fort Belvedere. Motor-cyclists at about 7.30 p.m. ordered all motorists to keep moving and get well clear of the gates of Fort Belvedere. Then guards swung the barrier at a isidc entrance aside and the King’s black saloon car emerged, travelling at great speed. Simultaneously a State car swiftly drove out of" the main gates toward London. The occupant is unknown, but, according to one account, was Airs Simpson. Meanwhile, throngs assembled at Buckingham Palace in hopes of seeing His Majesty, but the police continually kept them moving. The King drove in a side gate. The crowd waited two horny and did not know of his arrival until a police announcement, whereupon the people dispersed. The Duke of York arrived shortly before the King and went to His Majesty’s private room and awaited his brother, with whom he had 20 minutes’ conversation, after which lie drove to Marlborough House. Previously the Duke and Duchess of York had over an hour’s conference with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke and Duchess of Kent. The next visitor to the Palace in the series of dramatic consultations was Mr Baldwin, whose face was grave and set when ho departed later. The King’s car shortly afterward flashed through the gates on a visit to Queen Alary. The King returned to the palace at 11.24 p.m., after remaining with Queen Alary 40 minutes. The King eventually left the palace at 1.30 a.m. by ear for Fort Belvedere. Thus ended what the Daily Mail describes as the strangest day the nation has known for over a century, when the Crown became a centre of a tense constitutional situation, and a Monarch’s matrimonial affairs were agitating the nation as when King George IV refused to recogniso his wife, Princess Caroline, as Queen. Nevertheless, the nation’s attitude to His Alajcsty was indicated at a meeting at the Albert Hall, where 7000 sang “God Save the King” with more than usual fervour. Then when the last organ note died, there was a great shout, “Three cheers for the King,” and, again “God bless him,” followed by wave upon wave of ingThere was a similar scene at St. James’s Theatre on the first night of a new comedy. The band played the National Anthem and a distinguished audience broke into spontaneous applause which continued for some time. The Labour Alayor of Nottingham, Cr. Purser, speaking at a function, said: “We have been almost laid flat bv the serious news revealed to-day. We are all hoping for the best. Perhaps we never shali emphasise more the second word of our national cry, “God Save the King.” The cancellations of engagements by members of the Royal Family all refer to early dates and include the Princess Royal’s engagements. Municipal meetings to consider Coronation arrangements were postponed at Warrington and Leighton Buzzard. Several pottery firms have suspended the manufacture of coronation wares of which from 6.000,000 to 8,000 000 pieces are in hand. Visitors to the House of Commons included the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Chronicle (Bombay) says: “The King is trying to render a distinct service to British democracy by proposing aft its lieia-d to marry demoeratically. Our sympathies are entirely with him.” ‘ While the world is discussing the crisis the Pope and the Vatican leaders have not heard the news. Rome newspapers broke the silence with columns of restrained and tactful dispatches from London which oa.used d’stress at the Vatican, hut did not reach the Pope and high prelates, who are in spiritual retreat under vows of silence until December 5 ,

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE. STATEM ENT~BY PREMIER. “NOTHING TO ADD.” LONDON, Dec. 4. In the House of Commons Air C. R. Attlee (Leader of the Labour Party) asked the Prime Alinister (Air Stanley Baldwin) whether he hud any further statement to make in regurd to the constitutional position. Air Baldwin, who appeared pale and haggard, replied: “1 regret to say that at the moment I have nothing to add to yesterday’s reply. AVhile being just as alive to what was asked me yesterday as to the urgency of the matter, some decision will be made known at the earliest possible moment.” 1 Air Winston Churchill repeated his question of yesterday, and Air Baldwin replied: “I have nothing more to say than yesterday.” Sir W. H. Davidson (Con.): Do you hope to make a statement at a later l sitting? Air Baldwin: No, I cannot add anything. Air J. J. Tinker (Lab.): Will it be Alonday or later? Everybody is anxious for something definite. Air Baldwin: I recognise the anxiety, but cannot say more at the moment. The Times Parliamentary correspondent says: “The cheers in Parliament must have shown the Prime Alinister how deep and widespread lias been the sympathy with him during the intolerable strain of the last few days and how solid would be the backing if needed.” Air Baldwin read his words slowly and carefully from type script. Ail was over in three minutes. Members rushed out to discuss the crisis. Tlie general opinion in the lobbies to-night was that a way out of the dilemma will be found. • A statement is not expected in the House of Commons to-morrow, but it is thought that the position will he clarified early next week when Air Baldwin will make a more specific statement. There was considerable support for Colonel Wedgwood’s standpoint. The Labour Party executive held a lengthy meeting to-night, but came to the conclusion that no decision could be reached by them at present. In the meantime it advised Labourites not to refer to the matter in week-end speeches.

FEELING OF OPTIMISM. RELIEF IN SITUATION. LONDON, Dec. 4. Lobbyists record a feeling of optimism in regard to the position arising out of the King’s desire to marry Airs Simpson. In well-informed quarters there are indications, as a result of last night’s events, when the King was in touch with his mother and brothers, as well as Air Baldwin, that the situation has been considerably ameliorated. It is believed that a proposal, which it is hoped will be acceptable to all concerned, it under consideration. Air Baldwin will consult tho Dominions to-day, and it is not likely that there will be any public pronouncement today. Though he did not reach Fort Belvedere till 2 a.m., the King left again at 8.45, apparently for London. The approaches to the grounds are still carefully guarded. Sir Eric Alieville, private secretary to the Duke of York, spent half an hour at No. 10 Downing Street, and Sir John Sinipii followed at 10.10 a.m. A later message states that Air Baldwin and Sir John Simon left No. 10 Downing Street to attend a meeting of Ministers in the House of Commons at 10.30.