LONDON, Dec. 9, 1936 (UP) -- Prime Minister Baldwin, with the country and the world waiting in painful suspense to hear confirmation or repudiation of a belief that King Edward had decided to abdicate, told Commons today that he could not make an announcement before tomorrow.
Mr. Baldwin expressed regret that he was not in a position to add anything to what he had said.
This evening, however, the Prime Minister called the Cabinet into emergency session in the Prime Minister's room in Commons. It was understood to have been called so that Baldwin could communicate to the Ministers the present status of the constitutional crisis.
With the prospect of another 24-hour wait, rumors began to flood London.
A report from Paris that creditable word had been received there that Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke of York, was to rule England under a regency set off a selling wave on the London stock market and erased all of an early rise.
In Kingston, Jamaica, David Lloyd George, on holiday there, received a cablegram advising him that the "chances of the King's abdication are receding."
The situation has changed so often and with such rapidity during the crisis that hope was aroused in some circles that if the King had made up his mind, as believed, further efforts would be made by the Cabinet and royal family to change it.
When Mr. Baldwin arose in Commons, Major Clement R. Attlee, Labor leader, asked, as he has every day for several days, whether the Prime Minister had any remarks to add anything to Monday's statement.
Mr. Baldwin replied: --
"I regret that I am not in a position to add anything today, but I hope to make a statement tomorrow."
Major Attlee then asked: --
"Will he (the Prime Minister) give us good hope in his statement tomorrow, because he will realize the anxiety which is continually increasing as long as this matter is not dealt with?"
Mr. Baldwin replied: --
"I can assure the right honorable gentleman and the House that no one knows more than I do."
Mr. Baldwin appeared less strained and more composed than usual. Some members thought his expression showed signs of mental relief.
Frederick J. Bellenger, Laborite, asked whether Mr. Baldwin was aware "of the grave financial inconvenience being cause to many subjects of this country by the delay in coming to a decision. Will he kindly suggest to His Majesty the necessity of--"
Shouts of "Order, order" cut him off, but Mr. Baldwin replied: --"I can assure him that has not escaped me."
The public reaction to the delay was one of disappointment but there was a surge of hope that a solution still might be found.
The disclosure from Cannes that Theodore Goddard, Mrs. Simpson's attorney, flew there to discuss her recent divorce nisi indicated that some plan was afoot-but it could be either to cancel her divorce petition and make it impossible for the King to marry her, or to hasten making it final, so that he could abdicate and marry her at once.
The Duke of York motored to Fort Belvedere this afternoon for a further conference with his brother.
A two-hour Cabinet meeting preceded the Commons session.
Last night the King and Mr. Baldwin held a 5-hour conference at Fort Belvedere, the King's country retreat, and a source which hitherto has proved unimpeachable said the King told Mr. Baldwin that he was determined, irrevocably, to abdicate.
Walter Turner Monckton, King Edward's Attorney General, drove in from Fort Belvedere for today's cabinet meeting.
Twelve minutes after the Cabinet meeting began, Walter Runciman, president of the Board of Trade, and Sir Edward Peacock, Receiver General of the Duchy of Cornwall, from which the King derives revenues, left No.10 Downing St. by automobile together.
The Cabinet members looked in most serious mood as they entered.
Malcolm McDonald, Dominions Secretary, stepped briskly across Downing St. from his office to No.10. He was carrying an official red leather dispatch case with documents on the Dominions' attitude.
The Duke of Kent, the King's youngest, favorite brother, his only supporter in the royal family in his romance with Mrs. Simpson, remained with Edward all night.
It was impossible to say there would not be another change in the empire's crisis, but as Cabinet members gathered, the belief grew that Edward was going to abdicate, if not now, later.
It was apparent every arrangement had been made for the eventuality of abdication, that he machinery had been perfected and that all plans had been discussed for the King's future income.
His heir presumptive, the Duke of York, will be 41 next Monday. Reports grew stronger that the Duke might plead ill health as a reason for not taking the throne. Should he decline, a regency would be named under which 10-year-old Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke, would be the sovereign.
There were persistent reports, from sources close to Mrs. Simpson rather than to the King, that it was improbable there would be a marriage, even if he gave up the throne.
In any event, there hung over the romance a crisis serious enough for Lloyd's to decide no longer to issue insurance policies against war losses in Edward's kingdom.
There is no precedent for an abdication. If the king retires, it was believed his last act would be to give his assent to a deed of abdication, passed by Parliament, which would arrange for the accession, for there must never be an instant's hiatus in British rule.
Mr. Baldwin was close-mouthed when he returned late last night from Fort Belvedere. Sir John Simon, Home Secretary, was waiting for him at No.10 Downing St. Sir John left after a forty-five-minute talk.
Members of the royal family, and particularly Queen Mary, were understood to be profoundly downcast.
But those who forecast abdication argued that if the King had decided not to quit his conference with Baldwin last night need have lasted only a few minutes, with dinner to follow-not five hours.
They saw the little group at Fort Belvedere as still pleading with the King, but at the same time preparing the machinery for his abdication. There was also the increased activity at the fort concerning the men who deal with the King's revenues.
The King's motives for abdication were believed to be-
1. A spirit of loyalty for Mrs. Simpson.
2. His conviction that Parliament and the dominions will not permit him to marry her.
3. His unwillingness to continue alone to hold the empire in suspense.
4. The demonstration in Parliament for Baldwin.
5. The difficulty of restoring his dignity even if he remained on the throne.
6. The desire to surrender the burden of kingship and take a long rest, which his close acquaintances say he direly needs.
(Copyright, 1936, by the United Press)
