THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23058, 8 December 1936, Page 9

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

NO FRESH DEVELOPMENTS MOMENTOUS DECISION AWAITED STATEMENT BY MR BALDWIN TO-DAY i ■ The wave of speculation and conjecture regarding the solution of the constitutional crisis in London receded yesterday in anticipation of a promised statement by the Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Baldwin, following a full meeting of the Cabinet early in the day. Messages received at an early hour this morning indicate that, while a decision has been reached, it will not be known until the text of the announcement which Mr Baldwin was to make in the House of Commons at 3.45 p.m. yesterday is received in New Zealand.

mr baldwin's state- ■■'..■■;;: ~•■■-■ ment deferred till the afterNOON (United Pr- is Association) . (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ; LONDON, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 8, at 2 "a.m.) Mr Malcolm MacDonald. Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, was an early visitor to No. 10 Downing Street, carrying a bundle of docump"t&, which it is assumed are in preparatior for Mr Baldwin's statement in the House of Commons, which is expected at 3.45 p.m. After that the ordinary business of the House will be resumed. AT FORT BELVEDERE MR MONCKTON LEAVES EARLY I LONDON, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 8, at 2.10 a.m.) There was less activity overnight at Fort Belvedere, and this was confirmed by. the earlier extinction of the lights which had hitherto been visible well into the morning. Mr W. T. Monckton again spent the night at Fort Belvedere and left for London at 9.30 p.m.

Police reserves cleared the street anew and the crowds then moved to Buckingham'Palace, where they sang the National Anthem, "Land of Hope and Glory," and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and chorused "We want the King. We are going to kedp our King.' The police told: the crowd that the King was not at the Palace and advised them to depart, but they remained and repeated the choruses. The crowd grew to several thousand, impeding traffic, and swung into a mighty chorus with "God Bless the Prince of Wales."

Earlier a smaller demonstration occurred outside the Duke of York's home in Piccadilly. The Ear] of Mansfield, Mr A. R. Wise, and other Conservative members have invited representatives of both Houses tp an emergency meeting to-morrow in order to discuss the crisis. j MR BALDWIN'S MOVEMENTS CALL AT MARLBOROUGH HOUSE i LONDON, Dec. 6. Mr Baldwin returned to Downing street at 11.50 having spent the interval with oueen Mary at Marl borough House., Mr Baldwin's consultations with the Ministers was resumed. The King remained at Fort Belvedere last night, j Lights were seen in the windows as late as 3.30 a.m. The Ministers dispersed shortly before 1 a.m., having been in con sultation for two and a-half hours. Mr Monckton drove off from Downing street at 11.55 p.m. in the King's car, in which he arrived early He had been at Downing street fo/ three and a-half'hours. Officials at Buckingham Palace carried on as usual. The King is in i telephone communication with the palace from Fort Belvedere. A large congregation at St. Paul s knelt in silent prayer after prayers for the King and Ministers. ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY i • AUDIENCE WITH MR BALDWIN ■ i LONDON, Dec. 6. Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberal Leader) called at Downing street. The car in' which Mr Monckton travelled to London in the morning returned to Fort Belvedere in the afternoon with two occupants who could not be identified.

; KING AND GOVERNMENT SUNDAY'S CABINET MEETING NO DECISION REACHED ! LONDON, Dec. 6. Prayers for the King were offered in all churches this wintry Sunday, which was a day of puzzled expectancy pending the result of this evening's Cabinet meeting at which, however, no decision was reached regarding the issue between the King and the Government. Mr Baldwin will make a statement in the House of Commons tomorrow, in order to dissipate rumours and false impressions. To-morrow's Cabinet meeting has been cancelled. Mr Baldwin remains at Downing Street and will not' see the King to-night. The Associated Press learns on the highest authority that the story published in the Sunday Special that the King had reached a decision and that the next step lay with Mr Baldwin is only a clumsy guess. The position is still much as Mi Baldwin outlined it in the House of Com mons on Friday. The suggestion that the King is being hurried is equally unfounded, in view of the fact that his Majesty s only request for information was related to the passage of a morganatic marriage law. The advice given thereon was indicated by Mr Baldwin on Friday. The King is being given all the time he requires .0 make up his mind and Cabinet is awaiting his reply. There is no truth in the repeated statements hat his Majesty rejected Cabinet's advice. AH such conjectures are built up from Mr Baldwin's frequent audiences with the King, which it is explained have been purely informal No other Government advice has been given therefore no constitutional crisis in the broad sense of the term exists and no conflict has arisen, unless Cabinet's reply to the morganatic marriage question can be so described. .~„ . This corrects Mr Churchill s statement, which Government circles feel is based on a complete misapprehen sion of the relationf between the King and thfr Government. DEMONSTRATIONS BY CROWDS POLICE CLEAR DOWNING STREET LONDON, Dec. 6. Westminster Abbey was thronged for the morning service The Archbishop of York, in common with other clergy throughout Britain, asked for divine guidanc for the heart and mind of the King, the people of the Empire ministers, and law-givers The police had to clear Downing Street after the Archbishop of Canterbury's motor was mobbed The crowd as the members' of Cabinet assembled broke the police cordon and swarmed on the --oad Mounted police edged them back after which they sang the National Anthem lustily and cheered the King. When the members of Cabinet dispersed a section oi the crowd broke ou.. booing and shouting, "Resign! We want the King. We don't want Baldwin."

The Archbishop of Canterbury called at Downing street as Sir Archibald Sinclair was departing A man rushed up to the Archbishop'scar and shouted: "We want King Edward and his wife." The Archbishop of Canterbury spent 50 minutes With Mr Baldwin and when about to leave two women held up large notices: "Hands off our King. Abdication means revolu tion:" Detectives hurried to the cat The crowd took advantage and broke through the oolice cordon and filled the street. A woman tried to walk along the street carrying a placard "Hands off the King," and was turned back by the police. She walked along Whitehall, the crowd following. LABOUR PARTY'S COMPLAINT COMPLETELY IN THE DARK LONDON, Dec. 6. Major Attlee's denial relates to any assurance that he will not form an alternative Ministry. Members of the Labour Party complain that they are completely m the dark about the real facts. A meeting of the executive is fixed for 2 p.m to-morrow In the meantime Major Attlee has been instructed to request Mr Baldwin to give him a full statement of the position. He will put a series of questions to Mi Baldwin, which the, executive desires, answered before the party's final decision on the issue. COMPROMISE ARRANGEMENT THE PROSPECTS DIMINISHING (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dec. 6. Close attention is paid by the press to the Prime Minister's announcement recording the refusal of the Governments, both here and in the dominions to introduce special legislation to change the constitutional posi .on of the marriage of a Sovereign. Mr Baldwin's statement is regarded by the newspapers as diminishing the prospect of a compromise arrangement being reached. MRS SIMPSON IN FRANCE A CORDON OF POLICE . CANNES. Dec. 6. " Mrs Simpson is very tired and is not leaving her room. Probably she will not stay for more than four or five days," says Mr Herman Rogers.

The blinds and windows in Mrs Simpson's room were drawn all day. Police guard the villa grounds at all points. Photographer who climbed adjacent trees were disappointed. The captain of Mrs Reginald Fellowes's yacht, Sister Anne, which is now at Monte Carlo Harbour, was ordered aboard the vessel, probably in preparation for a cruise by Mrs Simpson. Workmen were busy all Sunday altering Mrs Fellowes's villa at Rocquer Brune, near Cap Martin. Possibly Mrs Simpson will stay therp MRS SIMPSON'S ESCORT LONDON, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 8, at 0.30 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph says that Lord Brownlow, Lord-in-Waiting to the King, escorted Mr? Simpson from London to Cannes NO INTERVIEWS GIVEN A SEMI-OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER LONDON, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 8, at 2.10 a.m.) The Cannes correspondent of The Times is authorised to say that Mrs Simpson has given no interview to anv journalist in England or France. SCOTTISH PRESS COMMENT LONDON, Dec. 6. The Scotsman, in an editorial, says: " The proposed marriage would be incompatible with the dignity cf the Crown. It might bring the Kin" Treat happiness, to which his subjects cannot be indifferent, but if that happiness were bought at the sacrifice of the people's devotion and loyalty, lowered the prestige of the Crown and caused the debasement of the hereditary monarchy, it .would be too dear for the nation, if not for the King. CORONATION GOODS MANUFACTURE SUSPENDED LONDON, Dec. 6. Considerable concern is felt in a number of trades and industries in the north. The manufacture of many thousands of pounds' worth of Coronation goods has been suspended. It is anticipated that manufacturers will lose heavily owing to feared cancellation of orders.

A BISHOP'S EXPLANATION LONDON, Dec. 6. The Bishop of Bradford told the Sunday Graphic: " When my address of December 1 was written I had no knowledge of the' circumstances which have subsequently arisen. Only yesterday week I heard Mrs Simpson's name mentioned in connection with the King." He addedf "My intention to make the speech was confirmed by Communists circulating in Yorkshire scurrilous yellow press statements regarding the King and Mrs Simpson, and I felt it high time to out the ground from under the feet of the Communists, who are aiming to create strife." SPECIAL PRAYERS IN SYDNEY SYDNEY, Dec. 7. Many references were made in the churches yesterday to the royal crisis. Special prayers were offered for the King and his Ministers. IRRESPONSIBLE COMMENTS CHARGES AGAINST MINISTERS LONDON, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 8 p.m.) The Times, in a leader, deprecates irresponsible comments and adds "The problem raised by the King can be solved only by the King Three false charges have been made against Mr Baldwin and his colleagues, namely, they presented the King with some form of ultimatum that they influenced their dominion colleagues and the Opposition leaders to bring pressure to bear on the King, and that they are now pressing the King to renounce his> project or abdicate. These charges are put forward under cover of n plea for time and patience. There can be no thought of hurrying the King's choice but he will be the first to see that a reasonably speedy answer is required Until that decision is taken let there be a truce to the insinuations igainst British and dominions Ministers."

AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT A BELATED DENIAL LONDON, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 7 at 8 pm.) In connection with Major Attlees denial of Mr Churchill's statement, there is no foundation for such a statement,'' this is now interpreted to mean that Major Attlee gave no assurances *ha. he would not form <m alternative Government thereby confronting the King with an ultimatum Surprise is felt that Major Attlee should have allowed such a long interval to lapse before his denial as it is recalled that thcDaily Mai) on December 3 stated that Mr Baldwin had informed the King that the Opposition would not. form a Ministry, and The Times parliamentary correspondent stated in the present rase that there was no alternative Government which wo- Id carry out the King's wishes The News Chronicle says "It became known yesterday that with Mr Baldwin's concurrenc the King saw Mr Churchill-on Friday night. It may. therefore, be assumed that Mr Churchill's plea for time represents the King's mind LORD MARLEY'S VIEWS DOMINIONS HAVE NO STANDING LONDON, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 8.30 p.m.) Lord Marley, in a lecture in New York to-day, said: "The dominions have no legal right to olay any part in the Simpson case Truthfully, several dominion Governments do not represent their peoples one bit more than does the Parliament at Westminster speak for England today Mr Baldwin consulted the dominions with a view to obtaining support for his own Cabinet The effect of the Empire-wide appeal has been imposing, yet I believe it means less than nothing."

THE CHURCH AND DIVORCE "A DISASTROUS BUSINESS" MONTREAL, Dec. 5. (Received Dec. 7, at 5.5 p.m.) Bishop Manning, of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, asked for God's support and guidance, especially at this time, for our brethren in the British Empire and the Church of England. The Rev. Clement Rogers, Professor Emeritus of pastoral theology at King's College, London, before preaching a sermon at Trinity Church, issued a sharp statement to the press that the Church of England would not recognise remarriage of divorced persons. "We do not recognise bigamy. I think if she had been a respectable woman the English people would have welcomed 3 commoner to the Throne. Some think it is no shame for a woman to put aside two husbands in the hope of a more brilliant alliance, but I think it is a disastrous business and has done a great deal of harm Such a marriage could have done much to draw England and America together, but this* situation, has put us apart." UNDERGRADUATES' OBJECTION NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (Received Dec. 7, at 8 p.m.) A Harvard University publication prints a cablegram from its representative in Oxford outlining the undergraduates' objections to Mrs Simpson, containing almost obscene references. COMMENT IN IRISH TIMES STRONG MONARCHY ESSENTIAL DUBLIN, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 11 p.m.) Mr de Valera had a conference with Messrs R. Walshe, Secretary of the Department of External Affairs, J. Murphy, Assistant Secretary, and T. Hearne, the department's legal adviser, following a communication being received from the Dominions Office after the London Cabinet meeting. The Irish Times comments: "The King must choose between his Crown and Mrs Simpson. It is well the air should be cleared by Mr Baldwin, for the people know precisely where they itand. Enemies of the British Commonwealth everywhere are waiting a chance to undermine its interests, and it is essential that the British peoples shall show a united front. Without a strong monarchy no such front is possib>."

CANADIAN EDITORS RESTIVE NEW YORK, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 11 p.m.) The New York Times Ottawa correspondent says: "Some Canadian editors are growing restive and people are beginning to ask whether Mr Baldwin has been using the dominions to further his own purpose Meanwhile, Government experts are studying the constitutional question They nre uncertain whether the clause in the Statute of Westminster giving the dominions a voice in the royal succession will apply in the event of abdication, but there is no doubt that here, too, the Canadian Government will take a lead from Mr Baldwin." STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER BEARING ON ABDICATION LONDON, Dec. 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 9.30 p.m.) The Daily Mail, discussing problems arising in the event of abdications, points out tha* Mr Arthur Berriedale Keith, in discussing the King's constitutional position in his book, "The King and tht Imperial Crown." expresses the opinion that abdication would probably be legally ineffective unless confirmed by Act of Parliament and by legislation, including the debarring of the issue of post-abdication marriage. Some legal experts think that neither the 3ritish nor the dominion Gwernments need to be consulted regarding abdication unless the,King desires to surround abdication with conditions requiring discussion, "hile in connection with the preamble to the Statute of Westminster, which demands that the dominions should concur in questions affecting the Throne, jurists declared that the preamble could not be quoted in a court of law, being only a series of assertions and not legally binding Another question is whether abdication car become a clear-cut issue for the electorate, which would be impossible under present laws unless a referendum was introduced, which would require special legislation.

MR W. M. HUGHES REBUKED COLLEAGUES EMBARRASSED CANBERRA, Dec. 7 (Received Dec. 8, at 2 a.m.) The Prime Minister. Mr J. A. Lyons, had occasion. to rebuke Mr W. M Hughes. Minister of Health.

for going to Sydney during the week-end. Mr Hughes also caused embarrassment to his colleagues by contributing an article to this morning's Sydney Morning Herald somewhat along the lines of Mr Churchill's, giving the impression that he had been in direct communication with Mr Churchill However, the situation eased to-night, and Mr Lyons announced that the Ministry was united and will sit until the early hours of the morning awaiting Mr Baldwin's announcement, which has already been conveyed to Mr Lyons by the British High Commissioner, Sir Godfrey Whiskard. KING AND HIS MINISTERS TRAGIC DIFFERENCE SYDNEY, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 11 p.m.) The Sun deprecates the attempt overseas to make political capital out of the crisis which is shaking the Empire. An editorial adds: "Until the British Government informed the Commonwealth Government at the end. of last week of the tragic difference between the King and his Ministers, he Commonwealth Government was entirely unaware of the crisis. While there is ample evidence that the first approach was from the King to the British Cabinet there L equal warrant for the belief that the first communication from the British Government came as a complete surprise to the Governments of Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. A DENIAL FROM CANBERRA NO PRESSURE ON MR BALDWIN CANBERRA, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 11.30 p.m.) The Federal Cabinet met to-day and resumed discussions involving the King It was decided to await Mr Baldwin's statement in the House of Commons. Ministers are reported to be perturbed at the suggestion that the dominions' Governments brought pressure on Mr Baldwin, and an official denial is given to th suggestion that Australia had taken the initiative in olacing its views before the British Government. It is, however, learned that the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) informed Mr Baldwin some time ago of his own views on the matter, which was then strictly confidential, but only within the past few days has the subject been referred to the Cabinet, which confirmed Mr Lyons's viewpoint. NO CHANGE IN POSITION MEETING OF CABINET STATEMENT BY MR SAVAGE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. " There has been no change in the position," said the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) to-day after another Cabinet meeting to discuss the constitutional crisis in Great Britain over "King Edward's matrimonial intention." "We are expecting further information to-morrow from the British Government. It is expected that Mr Stanley Baldwin will make a statement in the House of Commons (Monday, English time). I would say that the latest indications suggest that the situation is less difficult. Of course, the decision at the moment rests with the King, and until that is known nothing more can be said. When the times comes for it the New Zealand Government will make a statement about the question as a whole and its attitude toward a difficult and very delicate question." In reply to a question, Mr Savage expressed the opinion that a general election in Great Britain over the crisis was inthinkable. Why, he said, both sides would be discussing the same policy. Such a position would be farcical and merely nothing better than political confusion " Le us hope the British Throne will never become the shuttlecock for a political fight." It is gathered in parliamentary circles that whatever may be the citcomt of the constitutional crisis at Home there will be no necessity for a general election in New Zealand or in any other self-governing dominion. *

THE FEELING IN GERMANY POPULARITY OF THE KING (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 7. " I am certain the people of Germany would not like to see King Edward abdicate He is very popular in Germany Long before other people thought about it he tried to get some friendship between the German and British people. He is regarded as the man responsible for getting better relations between Germany and England." This comment was made by a German author and journalist Dr Ivar Kissner. a doctor of law of Erlangen University, who is a through passenger by the Aorangi from Sydney, collecting material for another book " The Fatherland is intensely interested in the British Empire." said Dr Kissner " The peonle of Germany are reading with interest articles published on England or the dominions" INDEPENDENCE OF MIND KING'S DISREGARD OF CONVENTIONS MINISTERS EMBARRASSED

Making a habit of seeing the things he wanted to see, doing the things he wanted to do, and saying the things he wanted to say King Edward has won a reputation as one of the most unorthodox Monarchs that has sat on the Throne of England He has at times shown a complete disregard for convention and precedent, his free-and-easy informalitv often embarrassing his Ministers His attitude, however (says the Dominion) has won him a position of unique distinction in the hearts of a great bodv of the oennle of England. People first became accustomed to his habit of doing many things in an unconventional way when he was Prince of Wales. In New Zealand

numerous stories circulate of unscheduled happenings on his tour as Prince of Wales. Nearly every one is to his credit, revealing his spontaneous friendliness and complete lack of " side." He has always been noted for a capacity to do or say the right thing at the right time. "ALMOST HORRIFIED HIS GUIDES " As Prince of Wales he had remarkable receptions on his visits to the dominions. Thousands flocked to see him, and he was subjected to a constant round of receptions and welcomes. He never appeared bored or tired, was always happy in his speeches, and moved among the people in a way that almost horrified his guides and guardians. He had his hand shaken so many thousand times that he was using his left before he had gone very far in New Zealand, his right being out of action through the effect of constant pressure and movement from the righthand of enthusiastic and admiring Australians. He was termed " Britain's most successful traveller " when he went to South America and was particularly popular in Canada. The late Will Rogers was among his friends, and declared that, if the Prince of Wales visited the United States, he would do more to cement the relations between the English and American peoples than all the statesmen who ever crossed the Atlantic. He moved with common people and they liked him. He made friends in all ranks of society. He disliked being conducted and being guarded, and was noted for his partiality for evading his detectives and bodyguard, or else dismissing them and going where he chose, meeting whom he chose, requiring only that their company should be interesting, whatever their rank in society. People became used to him doing things in an unconventional way, but it was thought that he would have more regard for the traditional niceties of royal conduct when he became King. MAN OF THE PEOPLE However, it has been found that while he felt seriously the heavy responsibilities which kingship entailed, he changed very little in his general mode of life. He was still first and foremost, a man of the people, and he continued to show a disregard for conventions that his advisers sought to impose upon him Early in his reign he made a tour of the Scottish slums, and went into several of the most humble homes and chatted informally with the occupants. Such acts as these, while drawing him still closer to the mass of the people, proved somewhat embarrassing to his advisers, but his Majesty never deviated from the course he had set himself.

It is believed that his strong humanitarian impulses were first stirred when he was a lad at Oxford The story goes that he became associated with a humanitarian group, members of which took him through some of the slums in his own property. What he saw, according to the story, made such a strong impression on his mind that he protested to his father and mother against such conditions being allowed to continue. Subsequently these estates were sold, and the slums cleared away. SEES THINGS FOR HIMSELF Throughout his life the King has insisted on seeing things for himself. Just recently, he embarrassed his advisers by his tour of the depressed areas in South Wales, and in insisting that such deplorable conditions as he saw must not continue. The Government was stirred to immedi ate action, and a cable message stated that schemes for the assistance of the people in the depressed areas were being examined with a view to early application. Early this month he inspected units of the Home Fleet off Portland. Heavy rain was falling The King discarded his waterproof as he entered the lift to go on deck to inspect 1000 men of H.M.S. Courageous. As the lift rose the captain ( H.M.S. Courageous suggested that he might resume his waterproof. " I don't care a damn about myself," replied the King, " but the men are getting soaked. Can't you get them under cover? "

The King insisted on meeting the men of the lower deck At a concert in the evening the men, dressed as old-time sailors, sang chanties. Eight stokers and two seamen played jazz tunes, to which the King beat time. Two thousand bluejackets later filled the hangar of the Courageous. They were community singing—a sort of finale to the smoking concert. The King, near the finish, told the leader of the band to play " Tipperary," and then he went among the men As the band started the tune, the sailors crowded around the King, singing lustily. As he was walking back to his seat, the banjo, the concertinas, and the mouth-organs struck up a new chorus. The bluejackets sang it roaringly. It was " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

The sensational incident at Hyde Park Corner, in London, when his Majesty was returning from a Guards ceremony in July, led to a frenzied demonstration of loyalty. Throughout the incident his Majesty remained unperturbed, and as news of the revolver incident spread through London the entire populace showed its thankfulness at his escape by fervent demonstrations of affection and loyalty. That escape of the King, coming so soon after his accession to the Throne, convinced the authorities that he should be more carefully guarded in his public appearances, but his Majesty does not appear to have been impressed by the fears of the authorities, as he has continued to move as he pleases wherever he goes. The unmarried state of the King has excited much interest and speculation for many years. No foreign princess has visited England, and the King has made no trip to the Continent for a number of years past without setting in motion a current of matrimonial speculation, but always he has confounded the prophets, and it has come to be regarded as an accepted fact that he would remain single.

LINE OF SUCCESSION THE DUKE OF YORK THEN PRINCESS ELIZABETH When King Edward succeeded to the Throne the Duke of York became heir, next in line being his elder daughter, the Princess Elizabeth.

Following Princess Elizabeth is her sister, the Princess Margaret, the second daughter of the Duke of York. Both of these young princesses take precedence over the younger sons of the late King George. Therefore, next in line of succession after the Duke of York, and his children, are Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Prince George, Duke of Kent, then his baby son, followed by the Princess Royal (Princess Mary) and her sons, George, Viscount Lascelles, and the Hon. Gerald Lascelles, whose father is the Earl of Harewood.

The order of succession to King Edward may be shown thus:— Albert (Duke of York). Princess Elizabeth (daughter of the Duke of York). Princess Margaret (daughter of the Duke of York). Henry (Duke of Gloucester). George (Duke of Kent). Edward (son of the Duke of Kent) The Princess Royal (Princess Mary). George (Viscount Lascelles, son of Princess Mary). Hon. Gerald Lescelles (son of Princess Mary).

Although her nieces and nephew, as well as her younger brothers, take precedence over Princess Mary, she remains the second lady of the land by virtue of her title of Princess Royal, the Queen-Mother (Queen Mary) being the first lady of the land. The Duchess of York ranks third am6ng the Royal ladies, and her elder daughter, Princess Eliza beth, fourth.

Since it is only the eldest (or eldest surviving) son of the Monarch who bears the title of Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, now Heir Apparent to the Throne, does not have this distinction. •

If the Duke of York should have a son, he would take precedence in the order of succession over the Princess Elizabeth, his sister. According to the Act of. Settlement, an elder brother's daughter is preferred in the succession to a younger brother; and it was owing to this provision that Queen Victoria ascended the Throne 96 years ago instead of the Duke of Cambridge, who was the next surviving brother of William IV, but who was junior to Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent. The Princess Elizabeth is the fourth lady of the realm in order of precedence, being preceded only by the Queen, Princess Mary, and her mother, the Duchess of York. SCOTTISH CHURCH ATTITUDE TOWARD CASE RULE AS TO DIVORCE Because Mrs Simpson is a divorced person there is no authority for marriage to the King within the rites of the Church of England. Insofar as the King worships as a Presbyterian in Scotland, the Church of Scotland would permit a marriage because of the grounds of Mrs Simpson's second divorce, but could not sanction one on the grounds of the first, incompatibility, which it does not recognise as a reason for disunion.

However exalted either party may be, no priest of the Church of England has authority to join two persons in marriage if one has previously been divorced, a prominent Anglican clergyman said yesterday. According to the reports of the Lambeth Conference of 1930, the Church holds: "In.cases of divorce (a) the conference . . .recommends that the marriage of one, whose former partner is still living, should not be celebrated according to the rites of the Church. . . (c) Finally it would call attention to the Church's unceasing responsibility for the spiritual welfare of all her members who have come short of her standard in this as in any other respect, and to the fact that the Church's aim, individually and socially, is reconciliation to God and redemption from sin. It therefore urges all bishops and clergy to keep this aim before them."

An even stronger outline of the Church's views is given in the report of the joint committees of the Convocations of Canterbury, and York, made last year. ." We urge," the report states, "that in no circumstances should the 'second marriage ' in the lifetime of the former partner be solemnised with the rites of the Church; because the refusal of such solemnisation will be the way in which the Church will testify to the lifelong character of the marriage bond, and to its belief that a divorce a vinculo is wrong." According to the Rev. A. P. Sym, of Edinburgh, who has issued a manual on marriage in Scotland by authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the only grounds on which the Church of Scotland recognises divorce are those recognised by the civil law of Scotland, desertion and unfaithfulness (adultery). The Church permits the remarriage of the innocent party, but prohibits its ministers from officiating at the marriage of either the divorced person and. in the case of unfaithfulness, the paramour. A Presbyterian minister pointed out yesterday that while Mrs Simpson divorced both her husbands, her first divorce, on the grounds of incompatability, was not recognised by the Church of Scotland. Ministers of the Church of Scotland could, therefore, not officiate at another marriage.