HIGH AMBASSADORS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1939, Page 7

HIGH AMBASSADORS

ROYAL TOUR OF CANADA AND UNITED STATES

Made Significant by International Situation

GAUGING LOYALTY AND GOODWILL

ELABORATE AND EXTENSIVE RECEPTION PLANS

By Telegraph —Pres? Association. —Copyright. MONTREAL, May 12. The correspondent of the Australian Associated Press who is covering the Royal torn- says that the King and Queen will arrive at Quebec on Monday to start a tour which is regarded in Canada and the United States as a diplomatic mission of the highest order.

The tense international situation has lent it greater significance than when it was originally planned, particularly in American eyes. It is felt that Britain is sending her highest ambassadors to gauge the loyalty of one country and the goodwill of another. It is an open secret, that the Canadian Government lias been disturbed in recent years by the attitude of a minority of the population of foreign stock, also by an impression prevalent abroad that Canada is leaning toward America rather than Britain. The Royal visit will, it is felt, permit the great mass of the people to express their loyalty to the Empire. Their Majesties face one of the most strenuous programmes ever undertaken by Royalty. In one month they will travel 6000 miles and stop at 52 Canadian cities and towns. Extensive and elaborate plans for their reception are now nearing completion.

AMERICAN OPINION In the United States the King and Queen will encounter two main sections of opinion. Firstly, there will be the Republican democrats, with their traditional feeling against Royalty. The second great body of opinion is that which feels that British and American ideals and interests are closely paralleled and who, since the visit of King Edward VII in 1860 as Prince of Wales, have had a warm regard for the persons of the British Royal Family. The last Royal visit, that of the Duke of Windsor as Prince of Wales in 1924, greatly contributed to this feeling of warm regard. There has been a certain amount of criticism of the present visit, but the Republican attitude is chiefly goodnatured, and few feel strongly about past history. Congressman Martin Sweeney, however, recommended that the Royal entertainment include the lighting of bonfires on Capitol Hill and in the White 'House grounds “lest their Majesties forget 1814, when the British burnt the Capitol and the White House.” ' ISOLATIONIST TONE The isolationist Press has been issuing warnings that “they are coming here to sell us the idea that their troubles are our troubles,” but the tone of critical newspapers has changed noticably during the past week. Even Mr William Randolph Hearst’s somewhat anti-British “New York Daily Mirror” stated editorially: “Americans have grown to like King George and his Queen. Most of us feel that they are two of the most honest and most straight-forward people in a high place today." British people resident in the United States are confident that the King’s quiet dignity, the Queen’s warm personality, and the unassuming simplicity of both will win American hearts. KING TO RECEIVE PRESS As evidence of his desire to conform to democratic practices, the King will break precedent by receiving the Press once in Canada and once in the United States. The most elaborate safety precautions are being taken by the Canadian and American authorities in co-operation with Scotland Yard officers who arrived some time ago. Their Majesties will travel on the same train throughout their tour in both countries. It has been fitted with bullet-proof windows. The train will average only 30 miles an hour and all travelling will be done in daylight. After nightfall it will be switched on to a loop line. Barriers have been erected at all bridges and viaducts and these will be guarded. The train staff has undergone rigorous health tests and is being kept in virtual quarantine.

Ten thousand ex-Service men will supplement the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the local police ,at the three main Canadian cities along the procession routes. Persons will not be allowed above the third floor in commercial buildings. The throwing of flowers has been barred in the United States for the first time in history. The army, navy and marines will be called on to supplement secret service men and State municipal police. At Washington, 11,000 troops will line the route from the station to the White House. Contrary to precedent, they will face the crowd. Selected groups will carry loaded rifles with instructions to watch the movements of all in sight. Their Majesties will travel in an open car with bullet-proof windscreens all round. At least two secret service officers will travel on the running boards of the car. Twenty Federal agents will form a personal guard throughout the visit. Similar precautions are to be taken by the New York police for the ride up Broadway. HEAVY FOG ROYAL LINER BROUGHT TO STANDSTILL. NO INTERFERENCE WITH SHIP ROUTINE. LONDON, May 12. • After encountering heavy fog on Wednesday during which she was able to make a maximum speed of only 10 knots, the Empress of Australia was brought to a standstill yesterday for 17 hours by a further bad patch. The fog, however, did not interfere with the ship’s normal routine. The Queen, wearing a yellow woolly coat and fawn felt hat, visited the ship’s shop and bought sailor dolls for the Princesses. Afterward she walked the deck with the King who was smoking his pipe. Their Majesties attended the ship’s cinema after dinner. At midnight, ship’s time, the Empress of Australia was 360 miles southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. CONTINUED DELAY FOG LIFTS AND CLOSES IN AGAIN. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 12. The fog lifted at 10.45 a.m. G.M.T. and the Empress of Australia was proceeding at full speed, but later visibility lessened and the vessel covered only eighteen sea miles in three hours.

NATIONAL SERVICES

REVIEW BY THE KING. ON RETURN FROM CANADA. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 11. One of the first important public engagements to be fulfilled by the King after his return from Canada will be to attend the parade of National Service units in Hyde Park on July 2, when his Majesty will take the salute. In addition, representatives of the fighting services, the auxiliary forces, the civil nursing reserves and other civil defence organisations will be represented.