His Majesty's Press Agent

Lady Lindsay has dealt as coldly and impersonally with Washington reporters as she would with the Embassy ice man.--Washington Dispatch to the New York Post.

If any lady in your household is ever compelled to hold a press conference, entreat her not to condescend to newspaper women.--Columnist Helen Essary in the Washington Times-Herald (in an open letter "to the next British Ambassador")

THE KING NEEDS A PRESS AGENT.--Editorial in the New York Daily News.

His "Ameddican"-born wife having consistently put her foot in her mouth* (TIME, May 22), the moose-tall British Ambassador to the U. S. last week decided to take matters in his own large hands At the suggestion of easygoing, democratic bir Willmott Lewis, correspondent of the London Times, he did something he hadn't previously found necessary in his 62 years: called a press conference.

Next morning more than 50 male and female reporters trooped into the austere British Embassy, so many that the Rt. Hon. Sir Ronald Lindsay had to meet them in the spacious entrance hall. Standing on the staircase obviously frightened, His Excellency was made no more comfortable by the activities of extremely irreverent photographers (see cut).

I really have nothing in particular to say 'he began. (Flash! went a flashlight bulb.) I thought you might want to ask questions." (Flash! Flash!)

"I didn't think there would be ladies " (Flash! went a flashlight bulb.) "I thought you might want to ask questions." (Flash! Flash!)

"I didn't think there would be ladies." (Flash! Flash! Flash!) Sir Ronald turned to the photographers perched on the staircase behind him. "Haven't you had enough yet?"

Why were the King and Queen coming? To visit Canada. It was only natural that they should come to the U. S. also. "The purpose of the visit here is not primarily political, although it is obvious that when the King visits a foreign country part of his purpose is to improve the ties of friendship with that country as far as he possibly can" (see p. 22).

Why wouldn't the King and Queen visit the chambers of Congress instead of receiving Congress in the Capitol rotunda? His Majesty, Sir Ronald corrected would not receive members of Congress they would receive him. Furthermore His Majesty, restrained by British custom from appearing in the chambers of Parliament except to deliver his annual speech from the throne of the House of Lords,* naturally hesitated to visit the chambers of another country's.

Should American men bow from the waist when they meet the King? Sir Ronald thought they might do as he did when meeting the President--"behave in a simple and respectful manner. I certainly make him a bow. Whether it comes from the waist or not I don't know."

Would the Queen "do something human while she is here, like going shopping?" Sir Ronald almost swallowed his walrus-mustache at that one. If shopping became necessary, he thought Her Majesty probably would send her maid.

When his tormentors had had their fill, the Ambassador showed he hadn't been a diplomat 41 years for nothing. Said he disarmingly: "I don't pretend to enjoy this, but shan't we have another?" Reporters and Ambassador made a date for another press conference. Next day those few bigwig reporters who had been invited to the garden party also received bids for their wives, just like other people. At one stroke the Ambassador had undone half the damage done by his U. S.-born wife, and set a standard for press relations which his successor, brilliant, erratic Lord Lothian, who used to be Prime Minister Lloyd George's Private Secretary Philip Henry Kerr, will have to live up to when he comes to take over the Embassy this summer.

*Not the least of her errors was failure to invite to her royal garden party Minority Leader Charles L. McNary and 50 other Senators. Congress must modify the Neutrality Act before the British can buy U. S. planes during war time.

*Freedom-cherishing Englishmen once feared that the presence of the Sovereign might overawe the House of Commons, cause it to curb its opinions.

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