Evening star., 1936-12-04

cerninq the constitutional crisis
the party entered their automobile
and departed.
Mrs. Simpsons car was a dark-blue
sedan of American make. carrying
British license plates. presumably one
of the pair of sedans recently pur-
chased by King Edward.
Several of Mrs. Simpsons Paris
friends said If she was coming to
France to stay she would be likely to
20 to the Riviera, where both she and
King Edward have many friends.
In the past they have been the
guests at Cannes of Lord Cholmon-
deley, whose villa was among those
mentioned as a possible goal for Mrs.
Simpson.
Another villa mentioned at Cannes
was the Villa Lou Wei, belonging to
Herman Rogers, whose wife is the
former Katharine Moore, socially
prominent New Yorker.
One of Mrs. Simpsons friends said
she believed Mrs. Simpson would
eventually 60 to Rome for visit with
the wife of the American military at
tache, who is a great friend of hers.
May Visit Lady Mendl.
witnesses said the car left Evreux
in the direction of Paris, but the main
highway branches just outside OF the
town and one road leads southward to
the Riviera.
Friends of Mrs Simpson in Paris
denied any knowledge OF her coming,
but the villa Trianon at Versailles,
which belongs to Lady Mendl, wife OF
the press attache Of the British En-
bassy in Paris, was the scene OF much
activity.
Lady Mendl has been host to Mrs.
Simpson several times.
At the villa a caretaker said no
body is here and nobody is coming
until Spring"
Observers reported, however. that a
force of cleaning women, carpenters
and painters have been working on
the villa for the last few days.
Yesterday Attlee asked Baldwin II
he had any statement to make on
any constitutional difficulty" The
prime minister asserted none existed
at the time, but that the gravity Of
the matter made it "inexpedient" Tor
him to answer the question.
Just as he did in the previous ses-
sion. Winston Churchill asked II he
could inquire whether any "irrevoc-
able step" would be taken by the gov
ernment before the House were in
formed of it.
Baldwin replied. frostily: II have
nothing more to say now than said
yesterday"
Cries of "Order! Order!" from the
government side of the House indicated
the leading party's irritation at
Churchill's repetitious question.
Friend Of Mrs. Simpson.
The noted statesman, already men,
toned as the Kings possible premier
if Baldwin quits. is a close personal
friend of Mrs. Simpson.
The King and the first minister
fought their tremendous case before q
jury which never sleeps-the British
Empire.
Cajoled or counseled by family.
sternly shown just one path by gov
ernment and church, comforted by
Mrs. Simpson, the King may decide to
speak out to all his people-the folk
of coal pit and cotton mill, who know
him best as kind Prince Davey," the
man who wants to help them.
He may use the magic Of radio to
plead for both his crown and his hap
piness, for, as one labor authority told
the Associated Press:
"The British people admire courage.
If Edward wants to marry Mrs. Simp-
son, he should have done 50 first and
then told Parliament. I believe the
M. P.'s would have stood it after first
catching their breath. Now the Kings
doing it the hardest way-that's what
he wants to do."
Gray, plain Premier Baldwin, fail
ing again to crack the granite will
of his grim-hpped sovereign, mus
tered dominion opinion from over the
empire where the sun never sets.
Seeks Backing Of Colonies.
Slowly, but apparently surely, he
swung the weight Of the lands be-
yond the seas to his side to show that
all corners of Britain's own world
are back of the government at home
and against the greatest romance Of
the modern world.
These corners he must have and
hold - for under the 1881 act Of
Westminster. said government spokes-
man, the dominions have an equal
voice with the government in matters
affecting the crown which links the
empire.
Dominion parliaments. under the
act, must stamp with approval any
change in succession to the throne
in other words, the abdication Of the
King and accession Of the Duke oi
York which Baldwin would force a
the alternative to Edwards refusal tt
renounce his twice-divorced American
friend.
The King, some public channels
predicted, might within the next Al
hours take advantage Of the grea'