MRS SIMPSON’S OFFER

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

MRS SIMPSON’S OFFER

IMMENSE INTEREST- CAUSED. HOPE FOR SOLUTION. LOBBY SPECULATION. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. S. Mrs Simpson’s statement offering to withdraw from the situation lias caused immense interest and speculation in the lobbies. Members of the House of Commons are generally inclined to the opinion that it offers a possible exitcreating a more hopeful atmosphere. Some have, suggested that Mrs Simpson’s public announcement may dramatically accelerate events, enabling a solution before the week-end, especially in view of Mr Baldwin’s statement in the House of Commons that a prolongation of the suspense and uncertainty would involve national and Imperial risks. Others art- less sanguine, many still fearing that the King might in the ultimate decision sacrifice the Throne. The Daily Telegraph’s Cannes corres pondent says that Lord Brownlow conferred with Mrs Simpson for several hours before suddenly calling a Press conference, which was held behind locked doors. Lord Brownlow refused to answer cpiestions arising from the statement. Questioned regarding Mrs Simpson’s health, he said that no doctor had visited Mrs Simpson and none was expected. The Daily Mail’s Cannes correspondent says that before Mrs Simpson’s statement was issued a long telephone conversation occurred between the villa and London. The Cannes correspondent of the Times says that Lord Brownlow prefaced his statement by an announcement that Mrs Simpson had signed the document he was about to read and also that she had given no other interviews or statements. The Daily Mail’s Cannes correspondent says that Mrs Simpson had her first good night’s sleep since leaving London, due to the vigilance of the French police, who are guarding the lane approaching the villa throughout the night and preventing ears and sightseers approaching. Mrs Simpson rose at 12.30 p.m. and lunched with her hosts. Then, wearing a green dress with a gold fleur-de-lvs brooch .at the throat, she walked, accompanied by Mrs Rogers, in the garden and appeared in good spirits. Later she asked for all available newspapers, and spent more than hour poring oyer French, American, English, and Italian journals and smiling at fantastic reports in some of them. DECISION WITH KING. The News-Chronicle’s political correspondent says that following Mrs Simpson’s statement Mr Baldwin made contact with Fort Belvedere. The Daily Mail, in a leading article, says: “British people will recognise the importance and significance of Mrs Simpson’s proffered renunciation and will honour its motives. Her .intervention opens a prospect which might prove a way out of the cruel dilemma. It remains to be seen whether the her can be accepted. Only the King can decide. He must not be hurried nto a decision.” The Daily Mail’s Cannes correspondent reports that Mrs Simpson’s statement electrified the Riviera, crowds in restaurants, hotels and on the lieaches discussing the announcement; Roads in the neighbourhood of the villa arc closed, and French detectives are patrolling the surrounding orchards to prevent encroachment on Mrs Simpson’s privacy. Hundreds of letters and telegrams are arriving at the villa from all over the world. It is understood that unless the attentions of photographers and newspapermen cease Mrs Simpson will go to Italy. SIGNIFICANT FEATUR E. The prospect of a solution arising from Mrs Simpson’s statement entertained in the lobbies last night seemed to re-echo the hope as a distinct belief that paved the way to the termination of the crisis in His Majesty’s acceptance both of the new position and the will of the. people. There is a disposition to underline the fact that Lord Brownlow gave out Mrs Simpson s statement. The Central News Agency telephoned Lord Brownlow at breakfast time, but he declined to add anything to Ins previous announcement. Asked if any developments were likely in the next few hours Lord Brownlow said:' “I don’t know anything about that.” . Lord Brownlow is an intimate friend and confidant of His Majesty, who is his godson, and his heir was named after the King. The Brownlow s lyelong to the inner circle of the King s friends.