EMPIRE’S CRISIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 10 December 1936, Page 10

EMPIRE’S CRISIS

3.15 P.M. EDITION

<;> REACHING THE CLIMAX * (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Received December 10, 1.25 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. There is a widespread feeling to-night that the climax of the Royal crisis, fraught with mighty potentialities for the British Empire, will be reached to-morrow. All the signs indicate that IVtr Baldwin, when he makes his statement in the House of Commons, will have the most momentous announcement to make of the final decision on the problem which, throughout the week, has occupied the mind not only of the King himself and the best brains of the statesmen and highest legal advisers of the laind, but the minds of the British people throughout the Empire and of the nations of the world. The Hast words before the announcement have apparently been spoken by Cabinet, which sat for two and a-half hours this morning and conferred again in the evening for an hour, after which it was stated that it would not meet again before the assembly of the House of Commons to-morrow. Mr Baldwin, however, conferred briefly late in the evening with Sir John Simon (Home Secretary) and more lengthily with Mr W. T. Monckton, K.C. QUEEN VISITS HER SON. The most dramatic incident of the day became known only when the Court Circular was issued this evening from Marlborough House. This stated that Queen Mary, accompanied by the Princess Royal and the Earl of Athlone, had visited the King in the afternoon. The last meeting of mother and son was on the night of December 3, when the King drove to Marlborough House from Buckingham Palace before going to Fort Belvedere. Another interesting incident was that the Duke of York, in the afternoon, was apparently relieving at Fort Belvedere for the Duke of Kent, who had been there overnight. It has been noted that one or other of his brothers has been with the King almost throughout the crisis, while Mr Monckton has slept at Fort Belvedere for many nights in succession. Mr Monckton’s movements yesterday were again divided between Fort Belvedere, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The Duke of York returned to his Piccadilly residence late in the evening, when it was noticed that he looked pale and worn. The Duchess of York, with the Princesses, was waiting to receive him.

EASING THE TENSION.

DECISION URGED. Received Deceit her 10. 1.25 p.m. LONDON, Dee. 9. The Daily Herald, in a leader, after summarising the constitutional issues, declares that the King must choose between marriage and the Throne. Public opinion, onco the issues were grasped, had manifested unity, strikingly proving that the mass of England’s people were trained democrats worthy of their sovereignty. “The people wll accept without 'criticism the King’s decision, whatever it may be. Only r. decision can relax the tension, 'flic nation hopes it will ho soon, and that it will give Hie King lasting happiness.”

, MRS SIMPSON'S POSITION,

TALKS WITH SOLICITOR. Received December 10, 1.35 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. The Daily Mail’s correspondent at Cannes says: Mr Goddard (Mrs Simpson's solicitor) tnicl me: “I came to see Mrs Simpson, for whom I acted in her divorce case. 1 deemed it advisable to do so in connection with a certain other matter. It must be recognised that it is impossible for me to communicate' any matter 1 discuss with tier ns between a solicitor and his client.” Mr Goddard went to Louviers after breakfast and remained two and ahalf hours. After that he telephoned to London for ten minutes.