Mrs Simpson Willing to Withdraw

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 5

Mrs Simpson Willing to Withdraw

“Unhappy and Untenable Situation’" Received Tuesday, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 7. A statement by Mrs. Simpson at Cannes was read to a score of journalists assembled in the Hotel Majestic by Lord Brownlow (Lord-in- Waiting to the King), who said:— Mrs. Simpson throughout the last few weeks has invariably wished to avoid action or a proposal which would hurt or damage his Majesty or the Throne. To-day her attitude is unchanged, and she is willing, if such action would solve the problem, to withdraw from a situation that has been rendered both unhappy and untenable. The Times’ Cannes correspondent says Lord Brownlow prefaced his statement by the announcement that Mrs. Simpson had signed the document he was about to read, also that she had given no other interviews or statements. The Daily Mail’s Cannes correspondent reports that Mrs. Simpson’s statement electrified the Riviera. Crowds in the restaurants, hotels and beaches are discussing the announcement. The roads in the neighbourhood of the villa are 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. The Daily Mail’s Cannes correspondent says before Mrs. Simpson’s statement was issued a long telephone conversation occurred between her villa and London. The Daily Herald’s Cannes correspondent says Lord Brownlow conferred with Mrs. Simpson for several hours before suddenly calling the Press conference which was held behind locked doors. Lord Brownlow refused to answer questions arising from the statement. Questioned regarding Mrs. Simpson's health he said no doctor had visited Mrs. Simpson and none was expected. The Daily Mail, in a leader, says: “The 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 a cruel dilemma. It remains to be seen whether the offer can be accepted. Only the King can decide and he must not be hurried into a decision. The News-Chronicle’s political correspondent says following Mrs. Simpson’s statement Mr. Baldwin made contact with Fort Belvedere. Immense Interest in the Lobbies. Mrs. Simpson’s statement caused immense interest and speculation in the lobbies. Members of the Commons are generally inclined to the opinion that it offers a possible exit and creates a more hopeful atmosphere. Some suggested that Mrs. Simpson’s public pronouncement may dramatically accelerate events, enabling a solution before the week-end, especially in view of Mr. Baldwin’s statement in the Commons that a prolongation of the suspense and uncertainty would involve national and Imperial risks. Others are less sanguine, many still fearing the King might in his ultimate decision sacrifice the Throne.

The King remained throughout the day at Fort Belvedere where he was visited by the Duke of York and in the evening by Mr. Monskton (his legal adviser), who was accompanied by Sir Edward Peacock, Receiver-General for the Duchy of Cornwall, visited Mr. Baldwin for 75 minutes and returned to Fort Belvedere at midnight.