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Monday, December 5, 2016

BULLETIN: Edward drops all engagements, may go to France

 



December 5, 1936

The Chicago Tribune's correspondent in Cannes was informed "on the most competent authority tonight" that King Edward VIII will arrive in Cannes next Tuesday, December 8.

According to a news bulletin from London,  it is now a "virtual certainty" that King Edward VIII will vacate the throne as a "penalty" for not giving up his relationship with Mrs. Wallis Simpson.  He is expected to "surrender his crown without a fight," and abdicate tomorrow.  This is seen as "almost inevitable" by members of the British Cabinet.

The Empire's constitutional crisis is now "sweeping to its dramatic denouement tonight."

The King has remained at his country home, Fort Belvedere, where there is a hive of activity as limousines have been traveling between the Fort and London.

Constitutional lawyers are drawing up the appropriate documents.

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin visited the king tonight, perhaps the last of a "series of visits to Fort Belvedere"   It is understood that during this meeting the Prime Minister handed the king "certain documents."  The nature of these documents has not been revealed.


The King has canceled all his engagements, giving credence to the reports that he will join Mrs. Simpson in France next week.

It is also understood that the King's abdication will take place on Monday.   His intent will be in a message read to the House of Commons.  As the king "reigns by consignment of parliament," he will need to abdicate with parliamentary approval.

Conservative leader Winston Churchill is opposed to abdication.  He has declared that the king is granted "time and tolerance."

"There is no question of any conflict between the king and parliament, stated Mr. Churchill.  "Parliament has not been consulted in any way nor allowed to express an opinion.  The question is whether the king is to abdicate upon the advice of the ministry of the day. No ministry has authority to advise abdication of the sovereign."

Churchill warns that if the king's abdication is "hastily extorted, the outrage so commuted would cast a shadow across many chapters in the history of the British empire."


The Duke of York, who could become king within the next week,  is believed to be "preparing for the possible new dignity."   His private secretary,  Sir Eric Melville,  visited Prime Minister Baldwin before the latter spoke to the House of Commons.  Sir Eric has also met with Queen Mary.

The two daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York, "golden-haired Princess Elizabeth, 10," and her six-year-old sister, Princess Margaret Rose, "went for their usual automobile ride today.  When they were spotted by a crowd, there were huge cheers for the young princesses.  Should the Duke of York succeed to the throne,  Princess Elizabeth will become the heiress presumptive.







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