THE KING AND THE DUCHESS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9161, 2 June 1908, Page 7

THE KING AND THE DUCHESS.

HOW A SECRET WAS MADE KNOWN.

The Hearst News Service has ail explanation of its own as to how the news of the late t Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s resignation leaked out prematurely. Its London Correspondent cabled on April 15th King Edward returned "to London on Thursday in a bad owing to the premature publication of Campb<.l3• Bannerman ’s gresignaticu, which precipitated a flood of unpleasant comment ‘upon him and maV raise certain interesting ,constitutional questions about the validity of the the u nv Premier. According to the gossip, of the Court circles, it was the Dowager Dvmhess of Manchester who unwittingly told the important political scorev. when she learned at Bcirri in from the King, who o waa d ini nr: at her house, and informally vohi h-v the news of Bannerman’s

ivsigm". f ion. The beaut;till American, who has been a friend of the King for years, reoeated the secret, which a French diplomat heard and promptly wired to the Foreign Office in Paris, whence it was published in the official newspapers. The King was deenlv annoyed, because the premature publicity upset the provisional arrangements made with Mr Asquith before his Majesty left London for a vacation at Biarritz.

It is reported that the King reproved the American woman angrily for her inability to hold her tongue. The incident may end or cool the friendship between the two that has lasted for a quarter of a century.