Evening star., 1936-12-13
ROMANCE OF KING VIEWED
EMPIRE PRESTIGE BLOW
Washington Held Deeply Concerned at
Implications-Other Nations May
i Take Advantage of Internal Discord.

eign is above ordinary human beings
in the exercise Of his functions.
1t is for this reason that timid
Stanley Baldwin, contrary to all ex-
pectation, took an attitude more de-
termined than any other British
leader. Muddling along has been
Baldwin's slogan; muddling along in
international affairs: muddling along
in internal questions-recognizing his
blunders and promising he would do
better in the future. But when the
prestige of the crown was involved
from the "caste" point of view, at
least-he ceased to muddle and blum
der. He became irreconcilable and
strong. THE person of the King"
he said, in one of his momentous cab
met meetings, must be sacrificed. If
necessary, for the good Of the mon
archy."
But no matter to what extent the
trouble may be patched up within the
empire, Great Britain has suffered q
severe blow in the eyes Of the outside
world, Just at a time when British
prestige was more important than
ever.
In Japan, the Simpson affair was
described as an unmistakable sign Of
the decadence of the protagonists Of
the white race-the British Empire.
The Japanese, too, believe in caste
rule. 1t is necessary for the progress
of the country. A handful Of people,
the Samurais, are ruling nation with
mixed blood-mostly Malay and Mon
gol. To maintain the domination
over this medley of people, the
Samurai had to keep strictly the
caste idea. A Samurai cannot marry
outside his caste and remain men,
ber of the ruling class. He does not
elevate his companion, but joins her
lowlier rank. Hence the idea that
the chief Samurai Of Great Britain
insists on marrying person who is
not his equal because he wants to
follow his hearts inclination Is not
understandable in Japan. A nation
whose head disregards to such an ex-
tent the sacred duties of the crown
must be a decadent nation indeed. And
since that nation is the foremost
power in the Orient, the Japanese
government must take advantage of
the situation.
Occupation Of Tsingtao.
1t is significant that the occupation
of Tsingtao. an important port in the
Province of Shantung, by japanese
marines because of strike by the
underpaid Chinese factory workers
occurred when the breach between
Edward and his cabinet became pub
lie. The Toxic government feels now
that the days of the British in China
are numbered; that the spectacle of
decadence" which has been shown to
the world must necessarily mean that
a nation with high moral standards,
like Japan, must now become the
paramount power in Asia. And the
military machinery Of Japan is pre-
pared for any step which may be
necessary in the near future to assert
this moral superiority.
In Europe, the two dictators, Hitler
and Mussolini, are equally prepared
to take advantage of the confused sit
uation in Great Britain.
Despite her unpreparedness, despite
her dilatory policies, Great Britain
still ENJOYS a tremendous prestige in
Europe Hitler and Mussolini are de-
fiant-but they are worried, too. They
realize the tremendous resources at
the disposal of the British govern
ment and the doggedness of the Brit
ish people. They know, also, that the
dominions will again fight for the
crown, If fighting should become
necessary. They know that the un-
expected bellicose attitude of Frances
premier, Leon Blum, is due to the fact
that he thinks he can lead Britain to
support France in a conflagration But
this is not possible in an England
which is concerned in q domestic
problem such as she has never had
in modern history. An empire worried
over the possible collapse Of its main
Stay-the crown-cannot be in a
fighting mood. Both Hitler and Mus
solini may decide that the moment to
strike is at hand, while Great Britain
is stunned by the unexpected turn
in her internal affairs; while the
backbone of the British Empire, the
prestige Of royalty, IS in danger of
being broken.
These considerations loss Of
face in the Far East, the shaken pres
tige Of royalty in the empire, and the
free hand afforded European dicta-
tors to make trouble-cause Washing
ton to be deeply concerned with the
Simpson case. Officially, the Govern
ment has mo comment to make" but
the air Is buzzing with communica-
tions between the State Department
and the Indianapolis, where President
Roosevelt is kept fully informed of
the developments and possible conse-
quences Of the gesture of a King who
wants to have the same rights as his
humblestr subject, rights denied to
him by a cabinet representing the
ruling caste Of the empire.
(copyright. 1867