Evening star., 1936-12-07
The Politics of 1t.

Until the constitutional issues are
clarified, particularly as they affect
relations of the crown with cabinet and
Parliament, final repercuSSi0nS on party
government in Great Britain, long the
worlds model for democracies, will not
be apparent. But even in the melting
pot stage into which King Edwards
matrimonial plans nave plunged Jhs
empires system of government, some of
the purely political bearings of the crisis
are discernible. They disclose a mesh
of rivalries and ambitions for power
altogether remote from the Simpson
affair, which may turn out to have been
a mere pretext for producing sweeping
changes in control at London.
Even before the present sovereign
came to the throne, the Baldwin govern
ment feared he was destined to ruffle the
complacency Of the present regime and
upset laissez-faire conservatism by his
fondness for unconventionalities. Since
his accession, Tory anxieties have been
whetted by the repeated public admiS-
sions of Edward VIII that the working
classes are entitled to better conditions
than the government makes possible.
The cabinets resentment reached acri-
monious proportions when the King paid
his recent visit to the depressed areas
of South Wales, constituting, in the gov
ernment's estimation, an intolerable
demonstration against its do-nothing
policy.
Downing Street may have concluded
that the dramatic development of the
marriage question presented an ideal
headstrong young monarch VINO advo-
Gates a square deal for his submerged
subjects. Edwards conception of the
thrones prerogatives and duties was
considered a defiance of the tradition
bound aristocracy and court, rs well as
of the government, and, as current events
reveal, the established church, TOO, feels
that the King was neglectful of its
vested rights. Justly or unjustly, these
various elements are suspected Of de-
string on the throne more pliable per-
sonality.
During the development of this
embittered situation Mr.. Baldwln's foes
have been neither quiescent nor blind to
their opportunities. They have their own
axes to grind and ancient grudges to
avenge. Among them King Edward finds
eager and natural support. 1t is now
being organized by Winston Churchill,
perennially covetous of the prime min
ister's place, with the powerful aid of
the newspaper peers, Lords Rothermere
and Beaverbrook, who also have long
thirsted for Baldwin's blood.
Plainly, the Edwardian allies consider
that the abdication crisis is their great
moment. And regardless of the imme-
diate outcome, it is obvious that Mr..
Churchill hopes to be entrusted with the
task of forming new government. At
present the Churchill -Rothermere- Bea-
verbrook coalition numbers no more
than sixty members of the House of
Commons, but, with popular sympathy
for Edward steadily crystallizing, it fig
ures that the Kings party" eventually
would become a formidable phalanx.
Things are moving with Kaleidoscope
speed in London. At any moment they
may "confound the politics" and "frus-
trate the knavish tricks" alike Of the
Baldwinites and the Kings party" But
history may record that the empires
supreme ordeal had its real origin in
motives wholly disassociated from q
romantic monarchs desire to wed the
woman Of his choice.