EMPIRE’S CONCERN

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

EMPIRE’S CONCERN

COMMENTS IN PRESS. THE KING’S DUTY. NO GERMAN VIEWS GIVEN. (United Press Association-—By Elcctr.ii. Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 5. Newspapers throughout Europe continue to comment on the British crisis, generally hoping'lor a settlement and expressing sympathy with His Majesty and with the British people, except in Germany, where the news is still unpublished; in Yugoslavia, where comment is forbidden; and in Rumania, where King Carol has prohibited the papers mentioning Airs Simpson, and directed that the constitutional crisis should he attributed to unemployment problems. The Rumanian Press is sharply at loggerheads with King Carol, whose insistence led to strict censorship of news of the British Royal crisis, newspapers appearing with many obliterating marks. The Soviet Press publishes reports of the crisis with Airs Simpson’s name, but makes no comment. The Cape Argus says that the only alternatives open to King Edward are to abandon the marriage in deference to the people’s wishes or to abdicate. The problem is terribly distressing and the Empire’s sympathy will go out to the King in his eliorts to select the right course. The Cape Times, supporting Air Baldwin’s statement in the House of Commons, points out that the Dominions, without a. dissentient note, claim it is the King’s duty to the Empire peoples to realise that the Alonarchy is of deeper concern to the subjects than the Alonareh. “There is no reason to assume that the British Cabinet will resign,” said General Hertz,og (Prime Minister). “After my meeting at Smith field tomorrow 1 will return immediately to Pretoria. Whether a Cabinet meeting will be necessary 1 will only be able to say later. It appears at the moment that this will be the case.” “THE SIAIPLE FACT’S.” Canadian opinion supports the Cabinet, and the Press solidly opposes the King’s marriage. A typical leading article, that of the Toronto Globe Mail, says: “The simple facts are that Airs Simpson is an American twice divorced, who was introduced to the British people as a notorious expatriate. These are circumstances that olfend the standard circumscribing the King’s position as a constitutional Monarch. Whatever the King’s decision there is no probability that British faith in British institutions will be shattered. If the result is not what is best for the Empire it will bo but an interregnum in its progress.” Lc Soleil (Quebec) says that unless ho abdicates or attempts a revolution King Edward cannot follow his inclination to marry a person unsuitable to his station. Followng a four-hour Cabinet session, the Prime Alinister, Air W. Alackenzic King, refused to make an announcement, declaring: “I can add nothing to Air Baldwin’s statement.” This is taken to indicate that Cabinet unanimously endorses the British Ministry’s attitude. Air Alaekenzic King cancelled his week-end in the country and is prepared to call an emergency meeting of Parliament. The Primate (Bishop Owen) asked for prayer. “Stand ready. Say little and pray much for the Empire, the Government of Britain, the Church, and above all, the King.” Press comment continued stressing the unsuitability of Airs Simpson as Queen. The Toronto Telegram says: “The undisputed facts arc that the muchdiscussed lady came from poor but honest parents. Her widowed mother kept boarders at Baltimore, which is nothing to be ashamed of, and Airs Simpson has been twice divorced, all of which is not an ideal setting for a Queen of Britain.” ENGLISH OPINIONS. The Observer says: “There will be great sympathy with the King in his painful personal position. His Alajesty has made a decision. with characteristic courage. There is little surprise. In view of His Alaiesty’s desire for solitude, at the cancellation of the King’s engagements, it being believed that the additional words ‘for the present’ in the announcement precluded any indication of an irrevocable having been reached.” The Morning Post says: “The choice before the King to-day is between self-will and self-sacrifice. AVe cannot believe the decision will 1m? unworthy of the man or the occasion.” “WELL AVEIGHED ADAHCE.”

The Yorkshire Post, in an editorial suporting, in the name of the North of England, the Government’s stand, says that however great the affection with which the King is regarded it does not believe that it will persuade more than a small minority to support him in defying the well-weigh-ed advice of his Ministers. “Whatever might he the issue, we are confident that if a Bill of the type suggested were introduced an overwhelming majority of the public will feel that Parliament, in effect, was being asked expressly to approve an example of moral weakness in the highest quarters and thus provide a deplorable example for the whole country.” Though dealings in Coronation seats have been suspended Ihe erection of them continues along the route. Ticket agencies, in the event of cancellation, will return 80 per cent, of the ticket money to purchasers. It is stated that abdication would result in huge losses of trade. Hostesses are wondering whether to give parties. Organisers of pageants are agitatedly marking time. Dominion and colonial agencies are discussing the advisability ol cancelling hotel bookings.