A piece of traditional British wisdom is that no new King is of much effect. The influence and value of an able King builds up gradually as he ripens on the Throne. Slowly, cumulatively, his prestige with subjects and statesmen rises, and he learns by experience where and upon whom judicious pressure by the King can make itself felt. On the Continent this is no less true than in England and Dutchmen, for example, consider themselves most fortunate to have so ripe a sovereign as Wilhelmina, whose wisdom and sagacity in her constitutional sphere are immense. Contrary to some mistaken impressions overseas, King George in his last years was a terror to certain British statesmen because of His Majesty's quiet strength of character and experience in getting his way by imperceptible means. He figured largely in setting up the ingenious contraption known as Great Britain's "National Government." His will was instrumental in having the general election held just in time to permit His Majesty to die happy in the knowledge that British Tories are safely in for five more years. Last week in this favorable environment the new King was exceedingly new.
Britain's ruling class and especially prominent London bankers were particularly satisfied that Edward VIII is known to be pro-German—a fact strongly highlighted this week when, at a reception the night before his late father's funeral, the King singled out Germany's representative for marked attention. His Majesty made friendly and public overtures to the Nazis last year as Prince of Wales. This at the time flustered Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, who had lucklessly declared that Britain's frontier was upon the Rhine.
It may have been in 1935, but today the rising might of Germany is more clearly visible. The European balance of power is being further & further upset, and this is the traditional signal for British policy to shift so as to find itself at the new fulcrum. In exalted London circles of birth, finance and politics last week novel and weighty things were being said. One of these was that, sooner than most people think, His Majesty's Government may be reluctantly obliged to aid in slaking German thirst for more territory. In the city, London bigwigs were to be heard saying with approval that what "they" are now thinking about is to revive the effect of certain obscure pre-War secret treaties and engagements. Under these Britain was to have looked on understandingly while potent Germans obtained as peacefully as possible rich lands in Africa now belonging to impotent Portugal.