London, Dec. -3.
CONSTITUTIONAL crisis of an unprecedented nature confronts the King, his Ministers and the British people as a result of His Majesty's reported intention to make a marriage which Incks the approval of the Cabinet.
Following weeks of rumours concerning the Kis and an American lady, Mrs. Ernest Simpson, who is well-known in London. society, the whole country has suddenly been made aware of a situation vitally affecting not only the personal welfare of a beloved monarch, but the position of the monarchy itself.
The situation was described to-day in a statement issued at No, 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister, asa constitutional issue over differences between the King and his Minister concerning His Majesty's domestic concerns."
This was the first official intimation on the matter, but yesterday the British press broke the complete silence which hitherto had surrounded the King's private life with a spate of leading articles expressing great anxiety lest something should occur to weaken the influence of the Crown.—Reuter, London, Dee. 7.
"With the exception of the question of a morganatic marriage, no advice has been" tendered. by the Govern ment to His Majesty, with whom all my conversations have been strictly personal and informal," declared the Prime Minister, Inv. Stanley Baldwin, in the course of.a statement in the House of Commons this afternoon on the enstitulional issue arising out of the King's projected marriage to Mrs. Ernest Simpeon, The statement, which was made in reply toa question by Mr.
Attlee, Leader of the Labour Opposition, whether he had anything to add {to his announcement of last. Friday, removed some false impressions widely held concern: ny the relations between the Goveenment and the King, including the allegations contained in Mr. Winston Churehil's manifesto yesterday.
Subsequently, In' replying to question by Mr, Churchill, the Prime Minister said that the King had not yet made a decision, "In considering the' whol bonn Mr, Baldwin, "it been the earnest desire of ernment to afford Hig Majesty the fullest "opportunity of weighing a decision involving so directly his own future happiness and the interests of all subjects, At the same time they cannot but be aware that any considerable pro-Tongation of the present state of suspense and uncertainty would involve a risk of the gravest injury to nation and Imperial interests, and indeed one has been more insistent on this aspect of the situation than His Majesty."
"In view of certain statements bout the relations between the Government and the King." Mr. Baldwin proceeded, "with the exception of the Auestion of a morganatic. marriage, no advive has been tendered by the Government to His Majesty, with whom all my conversations have been strictly' personal and informal, "These matters were not raised frst by the Government but by His Majesty himself ina conversation with me when he rst informed me of his intention to marry Mrs, Simpson whenever she should be* free, "The subject has, therefore, been for some time in the King's mind. As soon as His Majesty has arrived at a conclusion as to the course he desires to take, he will doubtless communlcate it to his governments in this country and the Dominions, would then be for those gov~ ernments to decile what advice, if any, they would feel it their duty tender, him in the Tight of his Mr. Baldwin amid Youd added, cannot conclude this statement without expressing what the whole House feels—our deep and respectful sympathy with is Majesty at this time.
Mr. Attlee, speaking after the Prime Minister, thought that everybody would agree with Mr. Baldwin sentiments, He asked if ne could assume from this statement that "His Majesty has not come to a conclusion on the advice submitted to him on the subject of a morganatic ma lage." He requested the Prime Mfinister to bear in mind that the House and the country were deeply anxious receive the fullest. information, without which it was quite impos: Albjle to have any proper discussion the matter.
"Mr. Baldwin agreed with Mr. Altice's "remarks, and expressed gratitude for them. He promised, at 8 suitable moment, to give the whole available information to the House.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.