American Press Definite on Abdication

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 289, 7 December 1936, Page 7

American Press Definite on Abdication

Will Surrender Throne Without a Fight

Might Fly to Riviera United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright. Received Monday, 1 a.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 0. The American Press definitely indicates the abdication of the King. Typical of London despatches is the New York Times: “That the King will vacate the Throne as a penalty for n abandoning his romance with Mrs. Simpson is now a certainty. That he will surrender the Throne without a fight and quietly abdicate on Monday is counted as almost inevitable by members of Cabinet.’ ’ The New York Herald-Trlhme.; "With hie private, Wj» poised for a flight to the Riviera where he hopes to join Mrs. Simpson, it is generally assumed that the King s abdication is close at hand and that he might fly the Channel on Sunday o early on Monday leaving Mr. Baldwin to announce the news to the world.” The Press also gives special prominence to a Canberra despatch that the Australian Cabinet has received secret inform tion that the King is likely to abdicate on Monday on the basis of Mr. Lyons’ telephonic conversations with London. Popular interest has risen to extraordinary proportions. The radio broadcasting system interrupted all programmes wit continuous bulletins from London and direct comment from its London observers on the situation. It is now noticeabl the true gravity and meaning has impressed the people and comment is becoming increasingly sober and contemplative.

If King Married Wife Would Be Queen

Chaste Only by Legislation

Mr Baldwin Refuses If

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.

LONDON, Dec. 4.

A statement on tie constitutional issue wiici Has arisen between tic King and iis Ministers was made by tie Prime Minister in tie House of Commons tiis afternoon. As soon as it became known that Mr. Baldwin was commg back to tie House, wiere earlier to-day be had repeated his reply of last night declining to say anything, members flocked into tie Chamber and overflowed into the galleries. On rising Mr. Baldwin was received with loud cheers from all parts of the House. The Prime Minister made his statement in reply to the leader of the Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, who asked whether Mr. Baldwin had anything to add to his previous answer. ,Tvrr Baldwin said: “In view of widely-circulated suggestions as to certain possibilities in the event of the King’s marriage I think it advisable for me to make a statement. Suggestions have appeared in the Press that if the King decided to marry his wife need not become Queen. These ideas are without any constitutional foundation. Mr. Baldwin, continuing, said: “There is no such thing as what is called a morganatic marriage, known •in our law. The Royal Marriages’ Act, 1772, does not apply to the Sovereign himself, the only effect is that the marriage of any other members of the Royal Family is null and void, unless the Sovereign’s consent is first obtained. The King himself requires no consent from any other authority to make his marriage legal, but as I have said the lady whom he marries, by the fact of her marriage to the King, necessarily becomes Queen. She therefore enjoys all the status, rights and privileges which are both by positive law and by custom attached to the position with which we are familiar in the cases of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, and her children would be in direct line of succession to the throne. The only possible way in which this result could be avoided would be by legislation dealing with a particular case. The Ministry is not prepared to introduce such legislation. Moreover, the matters to be dealt with are of common concern to the Commonwealth as a whole and such a change could not be effective without the consent of all the Dominions. I am satisfied from inquiries made that this assent would not be forthcoming. I felt it right to make this statement to remove a widespread misunderstanding. ’ ’ Major Attlee, leader of the Opposition: Even if time allowed, it would not be desirable to comment on and discuss your statement. It is one to which we shall all have to give our very gravest consideration. The House of Commons then adjourned.