Evening star., 1936-12-04
KING CANNOT GIVE
VIEWS TO PUBLIC
Back to Wall in Battle With
Baldwin, His Lone Weapon
Is Election.

(DetDitt Mackenzie, former chief
OF the London Bureau OF the As.
sociated Press, explains IN the tol-
lowing article the position OF King
Edwdrd in the present British
crisis.)
BY DEWITT MACKENZIE.
~ the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 4.-The
battle Of the century between strong
villed. independent King Edward Of
England and his equally stubborn
ministers of state over his proposal
to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson Is not
being fought entirely within the SPORT
ing rules of that great British patron
Of boxing, the Marquis Of Queensberry.
The royal lover finds himself under
q distinct handicap in fighting back
there Is no normal way in which he
can present his side of the case directly
10 the public.
His adversaries have had things
pretty much their own way in the
matter of publicity. although cham
pions are beginning to enter the lists
70 defend their ruler and his cause.
Since the storm finally broke with
hurricane force, the fierce attack on
him by his cabinet, by the Church of
England and by some Of the most
powerful of the newspapers is getting
concerted advertising to the far corners
Of the kingdom.
But the unhappy King has no ordi-
nary medium by which he can tell
his people personally of his feelings
about one Of the great love stories Of
all time.
Could Force Election.
All Edward can do is battle his ultra
Conservative and die-hard Tory prime
minister, Stanley Baldwin, in the
privacy of palace room with sound
proof walls. That is. unless the mon
arch should make some sensational
move such as forcing the conflict to
point where the government would
resign and his desire to make Mrs.
Simpson his wife would become the
Issue in general election.
The King speaks on matters of
state only with the approval Of his
cabinet. Under constitutional proce-
dure, he could not-without permis-
eion-issue statement to the press;
he could not appear before Parliament
to make his plea; he could not broad
cast over the radio.
Prince Charming" whose famous
smile has disappeared under deep lines
Of worry and grim determination, has
been fighting with his back to the wall
This fact is said to have won him the
sympathy of many people who
whether or not they agree with him,
cannot help admiring the courage with
which he has supported his convic-
tions
Communicates from the war zone"
have been purposely vague on the tide
Of the conflict. The public was pre-
pared this morning for anything
from abdication of the King to royal
onslaught which would force Baldwin
and his ministers to cover.
York Might Aid King.
There was much speculation about
the trend of the conferences yesterday
among members of the royal family.
A good many folk were wondering
what would happen If the Duke of
York and all the rest decided to help
Edward and gang up" on the prime
minister.
What would result, for example, II
the Duke of York, who is next in line
Of succession, should announce he
would not accept the throne if his
brother abdicated? One answer Is
that Mr.. Baldwin would be faced with
. tough job in finding q new king.
Should Edward decide to abdicate
and retire to private life, he won't have
TO stand in the bread line.
For many years he has had an an
nual income estimated at 100000 to
$1,000, 900 from the properties of his
Duchy of Cornwall. This revenue,
which Is separate from any parlia-
mentary grants and always goes to
the Kings eldest son, Is regarded as
purely personal. Nobody except the
intimate advisers of the royal family
knows how much money is involved.
The kings of England all have had
private fortunes which they have in
vested or speculated with as they saw
at. They have handed these on to
their children.
Owned New York Property.
The late King George was supposed
TO be very rich. He owned much
property, including some in Fifth ave-
nue.. New York. and possibly other
parts of the city. Here again, the
extent of his wealth is not a matter
Of public record. A king pays no in
come tax and his will Is not probated
In the regular manner.
Presumably King George left a good
deal to Edward. This, with anything
which the present King has piled up
from his Cornwall revenues, would &c
with him II he left the throne.
One thing the King could not take
with him-and that is a title. The
Duchy of Cornwall belongs to the
crown. and the only one who can be
Duke of Cornwall is the eldest son OF
. king. II Edward abdicates, he
ceases to be duke, unless his brother
after becoming king. should confer q
new title upon him. All Edward,
other titles likewise 60 with the crown
So Mrs. Wallis Simpson may ONT
day be plain Mrs. David Windsor
James II of England became just Mr.
Stuart after an unsympathetic parlia.
ment relieved him Of the duties o
kingship.
lCOn1nOns Held