Evening star., 1936-12-08
An Eased Situation.


For the time being the British crisis
Is divested of some of its tensity. Prime
Minister Baldwin's conciliatory state
ment in the House of Commons that
the cabinet will not press King Edward
for an immediate decision eases the
situation to the extent of averting action
by either government or monarch under
stress of emotion and passion, with re-
suits avoidable under calmer circum-
stances. When the King has weighed"
and made known his attitude, the gov
ernments in Great Britain and the
donlinions will determine what advice,
If any, they would feel it their duty to
tender him." Mr.. Baldwin was at pains
to remove any suspicion that the con-
fict was of arbitrary government origin
or that the Kings ministers, as charged
by political foes were attempting to
"extort" his abdication. The prime min
lister disclosed that matters were brought
to a head by King Edwards own an
nouncement to the government that he
intended to make Mrs. Simpson his wife
as soon as she is free. Thereupon the
cabinet, 'in a strictly personal and in
formal manner" had advised his majesty
only on the question of morganatic
marriage.
These developments, of course, carry
no guarantee that danger of grave con-
sequences is past. Feeling still runs
high not only in Great Britain, but
throughout the dominions, which enjoy
full partnership rights in determination
Of the crowns relation to the empires
government. The cabinets readiness to
grant the King a period of grace is
plainly a concession to those wide sec
tions of the British populace which sym
pathize with him and resent undue
cabinet domination. MIR. Churchill and
his allies in and out Of Parliament may
look upon the staying Of the govern
ments hand as hope for the monarch's
cause. But it would be premature to
conclude that Britain's constitutional
crisis is past.
British authorities like Wickham
Steed, former editor Of the Times, and
Harold Laski, professor Of political
science in London University, remind
Americans not to ignore the central
ISSUE" which is defined as utterly apart
from the personalities or the romance
involved. The thing at stake is stated
to be the principle that out Of the con-
troversy no precedent must be created
which makes the royal authority once
more source of independent political
power. The point is stressed that if
the sovereign is confirmed in the right
to reject the advice Of his ministers and
take detached view of state policy, it
would mark the end of the crowns neu-
trality in governmental affairs and that
1t would be dangerously small step
from a Kings party" to personal rule.
Professor Lash bluntly charges certain
of Edwards supporters with desiring to
use his popularity as a weapon in the
struggle to overthrow the present system.
Mr.. Steed asserts that unless parlia-
mentary control is to be undermined the
King must heed the advice of his re-
sponsible ministers and bow to the ma
tional will, constitutionally expressed, or
vacate the throne, either voluntarily or
by constraint after conflict.
In the light of such contingencies a
moratorium on precipitancy is amply
justified. 1t will strengthen hope at
home and abroad that a way may be
found to avoid catastrophe solution.
Any weakening Of the British Empires
power or unity at this hour would be a
world calamity.