Brief Respite Gained

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 288, 5 December 1936, Page 5

Brief Respite Gained

Empire Premiers Handling

The Situation

MRS. SIMPSON NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE DOMINIONS

Received Friday, 8 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 4,

The Times, in a leader, states: “One overwhelming objection to the King’s marriage is that Mrs. Simpson has two former husbands living, from whom she has obtained divorces, on the last occasion under circumstances which are fairly common knowledge. Such a marriage would scandalise a large proportion of the nation and the Empire and do infinite harm to the whole institution of the British monarchy. There is no substance in the argument freely used that the King is only anxious to and should be allowed to marry the woman he loves. The King, like his most humble subjects, is absolutely free to make and carry out such a decision. If he will, he may even be applauded for it as a man. What he cannot do in this case Is to carry it out as King.’’ The editorial proceeds to explain that, though a reigning Queen may take a husband who is not tho King, the King may not take a wife who is not the Queen. Such a position would require legislation. The objections to the marriage are not legal at all and cannot be met by an amendment of the law, nor indeed can they be met in any way. Either the innovation of a morganatic marriage under the British constitution must be superfluous or it must be condemned for the very reasons which have made it expedient. The Daily Mirror states: “We must leave the decision to public opinion and the nation, which loves and respects the King. One thing is certain at present: The King’s good is the nation’s, and his happiness must in a great measure be ours.”

The Manchester Guardian, in a leader, says: ‘ ‘Mr. Baldwin’s assurance that at present a constitutional difficulty does not exist may legitimately read as confirmation of the hope generally cherished, and which will be cherished as long as possible, that no direct conflict between the King’s wishes and his Ministers’ advice will arise. Apparently we have gained a brief respite, for which nobody in Britain or the Empire who looks at the present condition in Europe can fail to be thankful. This point would incline the King to give greater attention to Mr. Baldwin’s views.”

The News-Chronicle’s political correspondent says: ‘‘Either'the King will renounce his marriage proposal or accept the resignation of Cabinet and .ask seme leading politician to form a new Administration, or abdicate in favour of the Duke of York. On high authority, I am informed that his Majesty is prepared to accept the last-named course if Parliamentary opinion remains as it is.’’ The Daily Telegraph learns that Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa all moved in the matter, representing in the strongest terms the grave concern felt overseas regarding circumstantial reports of the King’s intentions. The Dominion Governments made it quite plain that, neither as Queen nor as a morganatic wife would Mrs. Simpson be accepter by the peoples of the Dominions. .They urged with great firmness, as coequal partners, that steps should be taken to end a state of affairs which they considered dangerous from the viewpoint of the Empire, and their action undoubtedly played a part in bringing about the present development. Actually the situation is being bandied by five men: Messrs. Baldwin, Mackenzie King, Lyons and Savage and General Hertzog. Constant telegraphic communicar tion is being maintained between Downing Street and each of tho Dominion capitals, and every step taken by Mr. Baldwin is reported to each of his fellow Premiers and an agreement is obtained before furthor action.is taken. The aim is that, in the delicate difficult affair, the whole Empire should move in unity. Mr. Baldwin conferred at the House of Commons la,te last night with Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, Mr. Massey and Mr Te Water, after which Mr. Te Water and Mr. Massey went to the Dominions’ Office and continued their discusisons with Mr. MacDonald. Asked when they were leaving if there were any further developments, Mr. Massey replied, “No, there will be nothing more to-night.’’ It is understood that the Free State was consulted with the other Governments.