IMPERIAL CRISIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 7 December 1936, Page 7

IMPERIAL CRISIS

HINT OF A REVELATION PREMIER’S STATEMENT AAVAITED CONSULTATIONS WITH KING (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.) Received December 7, 0.25 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. To-night’s meeting of Cabinet lasted an hour and 40 minutes. It may result in a long statement by the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) in the House of Commons on Monday, which may contain a surprise and possibly a revelation of something of what the King said during his consultations with the Prime Minister after the crisis. Private notice of a question from Mr CJ. R. Attlee (Leader of the Opposition) may lead to Air Baldwin disclosing His Majesty’s expressed intentions and more clearly indicating a solution. Mr Attlee has issued a denial that he has given any assurance that he will not form an alternative Ministry.

DECISION NOT YET MADE.

RUMOURS DISCOUNTED. Received December 7, 12.55 p.m. LONDON, Dec. G. The Associated Press learns on the highest authority that a story published in a Sunday special edition that the King had reached a decision and tiiat the next step lay with Mr Baldwin was only a clumsy guess. The position is still much as Mr Baldwin outlined to tne House of Commons on Friday. A suggestion that the King is being hurried is equally unfounded in view of the fact that His Majesty’s only request for information related to a passage in the morganatic marriage law. The advice given thereon was indicated by Air Baldwin on Friday. The King is being given all the time he requires to make up his mind. Cabinet is awaiting a reply. There is no truth in repeated statements that His Alajesty has rejected Cabinet’s advice. All such conjectures are built up from Air Baldwin’s frequent audiences with the King' which, it is explained, have been purely informal. No other Government s advice lias been given; therefore, no constitutional crisis in the broad sense of the term exists.

PROSPECTS OF COMPROMISE.

BELIEVED TO HAVE DIMINISHED. (British Official Wireless.) Received December 7, 10.48 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 5. Close attention is paid by the Press to the Prime Minister’s announcement recording the. refusal of the Governments, both here and in the Dominions, to introduce special legislation to change the constitutional position of the maiiiage of the Sovereign. Air Baldwin’s statement is regarded by . the newspapers as diminishing the prospects of a compromise arrangement being reached.

DECISION EXPECTED SOON.

CLIMAX WITHIN A FEW HOURS. LONDON, Dec. 5. Tlie Press Association understands that there is authority for saying that a definite move will be made within the next 48 hours, and that the British crisis, according to authoritative circles, will be finished on Monday night. - Later the same source stated, although some quarters express the opinion that the King’s decision may he disclosed on Sunday, it is understood that there is authority tor saying that no. definite move will be made before midday, when the climax is expected. Mr Baldwin’s visit to the King, when he submitted to His Majesty certain documents, followed another day of anxious consultations during which there was a continual stream oi callers at No. 10 Downing Street, llie Prime Minister,_ alter his return from Fort Belvedere, summoned a special meeting ot Ministers for 5.30 p.m. on Sunday, at which lie communicated the latest news of tlie King’s altitude. Sir John Simon (Home Secretary), who 1 conferred with Mr Baldwin for three hours this afternoon, returned to No. 10 at 9.45 p.m. A high authority says that the voluntary abdication ot the Kill"' would not necessitate legislative steps to give it effect, but consequental legislation would certainly be required. Under the Act of Settlement succession has passed automatically to the oldest surviving son. If King Edward were married and had issue his abdication would not affect the succession but now legislation would be required to establish the issue of the new King in the line of succession. The Times says that it is recognised that it would place the new Monarch in a most invidious position to ask him to give Royal assent to such a new measure. Such an Act would doubtless be presented to, Parliament forthwith as the final measure to which the outgoing Monarch would be asked to give assent.

REFERENCE TO ABDICATION.

“A VIRTUAL CERTAINTY.” NEW YORK, Dec. G. The American Press of Ring Edward. Typical London dispa clics m tlie The New York Times -- Throne as a penalty to * and that .he will surMrs Simpson is now a ntual ceua y abdicate on render the Throne by members of Cab,net.” Monday is counted almost AVitk his private ’plane The New York Herald }“ bu “ e - ™ h \ Q re join Mrs poised for flight to the lti ‘ Ring’s abdication Simpson, it is «*»»/ rZlV iy the ChanSel on Sunday IS close at hand anil tl. |[ Baldwin to announce the or early on Monday, icavrn o dispatch saying that the Aus to abdicate on Monday, information that the A , j.vons’s telephonic converand that this was the bas 1?* Lterest is of extraordinary sat ions with system has interrupted proportions. I h bulletins from London and all programmes jut Lon(lon observers of the situation. _ It is direct comment trom ravity Q f their meaning is miJSSon'to people, and comment is becoming mcens.ngly sober and contemplate.