"A few hours ago," he proceeded, "I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now 1 have been succeeded by' my brother, the Duke of York. My frst words must be to declare my allegiance to him, This with all my heart, "You all know the reasons which impelled me to renounce the Throne, but I want you to understand. th making up my mind, 1 did forget the country or Empire, which, Prince of Wales and King, T for 25 years tried to serve, "But you must believe me when 1 tell you that T found it impossible carry the heavy burden of respon: illly and discharge my duties as King, as 1 would wish to do, without the help and support of the wom: Tave, and 1 want you to know that the decision 1 have made has been mine alone. This thing T have had Judge entirely for myself, "The ollier person most nearly concerned tried, up to the last, 10 persuade me fo take a. different course. I made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon a single thought: what would, in the end, be best for all?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.