NO AMERICAN TOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 265, 8 November 1937, Page 7

NO AMERICAN TOUR

Duke And Duchess Of Windsor VISIT POSTPONED “GRAVE MISCONCEPTIONS” (By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright) Received Nov. 6, 1.40 p.m. PARIS, Nov. 5. A statement issued on behalf of the Duke of Windsor, states: “His Highness has arrived at his decision to postpone his visit to America with great reluctance and after much deliberation, but he feels that owing to the grave misconceptions that have arisen and the misstatements that have appeared regarding the motives and purpose of his industrial tour, he has no alternative but to defer his visit for the present." DECISION APPLAUDED OPINION IN AMERICA SUSPECTED SPONSOR OF FASCISM Received Nov 7, 8.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. G. The wisdom ot tne Duke of Windsor's postponement ot Ids tour is generally applauded. The weight of opinion indicates that lie will be welcome as a private citizen out not acceptable as the supspected sponsor of Fascism. The decision has certainly placated the Labour leaders. Even after the news of the cancellation of the visit of the Duke of Windsor the attacks continued. The New York Maritime Council, which is affiliated to the Committee lor Industrial Organisation, said: “It we were convinced that the Luke and Duchess were acting in good faith in proposing a personal visit to the United States we should be glad to welcome them, but the visit to Germany, when we knew what happened in the German trade unions under the dictatorship, makes us unable to convince ourselves that the tour is contemplated in good faith.” Dr. William Dodd, son of the American Ambassador to Germany, alleged that the Duke’s visit would be fraught with propaganda, since the Duke might try to convince Americans regarding the achievements of the Nazis. The New York Times described the effects of the cancellation on Washington as "The finale of a day so replete with rumours, reports, accusations and denials as to leave residents of this capital hardly less disturbed than Londoners were after the discovery of the gunpowder plot on Guy Fawkes Day, of which this is the 332nd anniversary.” The Times added that despite the Paris report late in the evening that the Duke of Windsor had cabled Mr Roosevelt, the Embassy and others his regrets, all official quarters insisted that they had “nothing to say.” The Times’ Washington correspondent says that -Labour circles stated that Mr Bedaux, the Duke’s American friend, “ran to cover” when it appeared that a nation-wide attack was planned against his organisation, and such would inevitably have embroiled the Duke of Windsor had he persisted in his visit. The storm undoubtedly had reached such intensity that the visit would have been set down as one of the major blunders In the Duke's life. The publicity aimed against Mr Bedaux would have resulted not only in a demonstration against the latter but also against the Duke and Duchess of Windsor whercever they visited. It was planned to picket the arrival of the Bremen with anti-Windsor placards and have demonstrations in the Detroit auto factories and southern textile mills, where the Bedaux system is especially hated. Interesting Comment. Due to the lateness of the announcement ot the postponements, wide editorial comment is lacking. An interesting leader, however, Is that ot Mr Hearst's New York Daily Mirror, which says; “We dislike everything concerning Hiller, but wonder it American Labour would have complained as loudly if the Duke of Windsor had gone to see red Russia before seeing Brown Shirt Germany." Mrs Roosevelt, interviewed, said: 1 “I will be glad to receive the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at White House if eventually they decide to make the trip.” She declined to comment on the reasons for the postponement.

When Mr Bedaux was reached with information of the cancellation, he said he was grieved, but he had had no direct message from the Duke yet. President Draper, of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada, issued a statement saying that all the mem hers of the Labour movement in Canada would be delighted it the Duke and Duchess of Windsor would visit the Dominion. “I also am sure that the people of Canada as a whole would delighted to see him," addeu Mr Draper. He declined to comment on American Labour’s reaction. The wildest rumours were later circulating about the future of the Duke and Duchess. One from San Francisco stated that the Duke was arriving in the United States on December X, and had booked the first PanAmerican Clipper liight to New Zealand, his party including Mr Hearst and Marion Davies. The News-Chronicle says that the Duke of Windsor has boldly and wisely abandoned his tour, which would have given great offence. “He does not always choose friends best suited to his position," the paper adds.