MRS SIMPSON’S OFFER HUNGARIAN MESSAGES. AMERICAN COMMENT. NO DEFINITE ADVICE. PLEA FOR GUIDANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 9 December 1936, Page 2

MRS SIMPSON’S OFFER

HUNGARIAN MESSAGES.

AMERICAN COMMENT.

NO DEFINITE ADVICE.

PLEA FOR GUIDANCE.

SURPRISE IN ROYAL CIRCLES. NOT AN END TO CRISIS. (United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph.—Copy right 0 Ileesived December 8, 2.15 p.m. LONDON, Dec. i. Those close to the King at Fort Belvedere ivere unaware of Mrs Simpsonis statement (that she was prepared to withdraw from the situation) until it was read to them by a journalist, lne statement was completely unexpected in Court circles and is not regarded as ending the crisis, but merely an expression of her own opinion. It is stressed that the phrase It much action will solve the problem must be taken as significant, Those who are in a position to know declare that the announcement was made on Mrs Simpson’s own initiative and volition. It is felt that only the King s action can end the present situation. Other steps, however important, can have only a limited effect.

SYMPATHY FOR KING. Received December 8. 1.25 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 7. An idea of the size of the King’s mail may he gathered from a statement by the Hungarian Post Office that during , the last five days two thousand telegrams of sympathy have been sent to King Edward by Hungarian women of all classes, in addition to five hundred despatched to London florists ordering flowers to be sent to His Majesty.

CHURCH AND. STATE. Received Decemher 8,2 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 7. The British crisis continues to dominate the American Press, with thousands of columns of telegraphic material, that from London and Cannes being most prominent. Comment from a domestic source, however, has greatly deoreased, although the courteously variegated reaction continues. One writer emphasises that the Church of England’s attitude to marriage cannot matter, since only 11 per cent, of the people of the Empire aro Christian and one-third per cent. Anglican. Another stresses that Mr Baldwin’s fears are elicited principally by the consequences to Europe of a divided Britain. This point of view is especially emphasised in a leader in the New York Evening Post: “England muddles through a fairy tale while Europe bums.’’ In a curious leader in the New York World Telegram—“ Shakespeare said” —the paper lists hundreds of quotations that might cover the situation. One newspaper leader chides journalists. “We newspapermen, running true to form, are emphasising features of the situation in an inverse ratio to their world significance.”

PREMIER’S STATEMENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. After the lengthy meeting of Cabinet this morning Mr Savage stated at 1 o’clock that, apart from the receipt by the Government of the text of Mr Baldwin’s statement to the House of Commons, there had been no further developments. The Government had been led to expect that thero would be a definite development to-day, but that expectation had not been rea'ised. Mr Savage said it was impossible for him to give any indication as to when the news might be expected. It might come at any time, and Cabinet would sit again this afternoon. In reply to a question as to whether he could make any statement regarding the part the Dominions would playin the event of abdication, the Prime Minister said he did not care to make any comment. Cabinet resumed its sitting at 2.30.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. At the opening of the new wing of tho Salvation Army’s Bethany Maternity Hospital to-day, in his prayers of dedication Commission Langdon asked for the special care of Providence for all those connected with the British Empire at this time, and trusted they were looking for Divine guidance which, in its wonder-working way, would guide them in the right direction.