Evening star., 1936-12-10

less he tells him at all tlmeS the truth
as he sees it.
Whether that truth be welcome or
not-and let me say here-as may say
several times before I finish, that dur
ing those talks-,when I look back
there is nothing ]. have not told his
majesty Of which I felt he ought to
be aware, but never has his ma jesty
shown any signs Of offense, of being
hurt at anything I have said to him,
and the whole Of our discussions have
been carried through with an in
crease If possible Of that mutual re-
spect and regard in which we stood.
II told his majesty I had two great
anxieties-the effect of the continu-
ance Of criticism of the King that at
the time was proceeding in the
American press and the effect it
would have in the dominions and par
ticularly Canada, where it was wide
spread, and the effect it would have
in this country. That was first.
II reminded him of what I have
often told him and his brothers in
the years passed and that's this:
THE crown in this country through
centuries has been deprived of many
of its prerogatives, but, today, while
that is true, it stands for far more
than it ever had done in its history.
Guarantee Of Integrity.
I THE importance of its integrity is
beyond all question far greater than
it has ever been. being as it Is not only
the last link of empire that Is left but
q guarantee in this country, 50 long
as it exists in that integrity, against
many evils that have afiiicted other
countries.
There is no man or woman in this
country to whatever party they may
belong who would not subscribe to
that, but while this feeling vastly de-
pends on the respect that has grown
up in the last three generations for
the monarchy it might not take so
long, In the face Of the kind of criti-
cism to which 1t was being exposed to
lose that power far more rapidly than
it was built up, and once lost doubt
If anything could restore it.
Now that was the basis of my talk
on that aspect and I expressed by
anxiety and then my desire that such
criticisms should not have cause to
60 on.
II said that in my view no popular
ity in the long run would be weighed
against the effect Of such criticism.
IT told his majesty that had
looked forward TO his reign as
great King in new age. He has so
many qualities which are necessary
to it.
II told him I had come naturally
and wanted to talk it over with him
as a friend Perhaps am saying
what should not say here-I did not
ask his majesty whether might say
this-but I will say 1t because do
not think he would mind and I think
1t illustrates the basis on which our
talks have been held.
He said to me not once, but many
times during these many, many hours
we have had together, especially
toward the end: You and I must
settle this matter together. will not
have any one interfering
"Well, I then pointed out the danger
Of the divorce proceedings; that II a
verdict was given in that case which
left the matter in suspense for some
time, that period of suspense must be
dangerous, because then every one
would be talking and, when once the
press begins, as it must begin some
time in this country, a most d1fncult
situation would arise for me and for
him, and there might well be the
danger which both he and I have
seen through all this, and one Of the
reasons why he wanted to take this
action quickly was that there should
not be sides taken and factions grow
up in this country, where no faction
ever ought to exist.
Glad Ice Was Broken.
"It was on that aspect Of the ques-
tion that We talked for an hour and
I went away glad that the ice had
been broken.
MY conscience at that moment was
clear and for some little time we
had no further meetings.
II begged his majesty to consider
all that I said. ! said that pressed
him for no kind of an answer, but
would he consider everything that I
had said. The next time saw him
was November 16.
THAT was at Buckingham Palace.
BY that date the decree nisi was pro-
nounced in the divorce case and I
felt it my duty on that occasion--his
majesty had sent for mel felt it my
duty to begin the conversation and I
spoke to him for a quarter of an hour
on the question of marriage.
Again you must remember my
cabinet hadn't been in this at all.
Il reported to about four of my
senior colleagues the conversation at
Belvedere.
II saw him Monday, the 18th, and
I began by giving him my view on o
possible marriage.
"I told him I did not think that q
particular marriage was one that
would receive the appreciation Of the
country.
That n'arrias4 would have n