Playground Superintendents

Traditional British method of disposing of extra sons is to shunt them into the Army or Church, or ship them off to the colonies. Since December 1936, the most superfluous British extra son has been the Duke of Windsor, whose position as liaison officer between the British and French Armies fizzled out before the capitulation of France, and who has never indicated ecclesiastical leanings. Last week Britain announced that he would be shipped to one of her tiniest colonies. The fourth King-Emperor of the British Empire will, as Governor of the Bahamas, rule 29 islands, 661 cays, 2,387 rocks in the Northern Caribbean, be Commander in Chief of six officers and 124 men in the native constabulary, govern 13,000 white subjects, 55,000 black, and a floating population of several thousand tourists--largely American.

Greatly relieved were the Duchesses of Kent and Gloucester, who might otherwise have faced the prospect of entertaining the American-born, twice-divorced Duchess in London. No less relieved were English politicos who had uncomfortably listened to rumors of the former Wally Simpson's friendship for German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, heard reports that the Duke was willing to serve as a Nazi puppet king. Frankly delighted were the Duke's supporters who pounced on the chance to give him a job and a place to live safely out of the war zone.

Still a refugee in Lisbon, the Duke himself was "very happy indeed." As to how the war was going, he observed: "It's frightfully confusing, isn't it?" The Duchess was worried about the fate of U. S. Ambassador to France Bullitt, who subsequently turned up in Spain. "I'm particularly interested," said she, "because he's got the keys to my house." The democratic Duke noted that food in Spain had been available in quantity only for those with money. "It certainly shows how terrible war is for the people of a country," said he.

In London the press stoutly helped boost the prestige of the new post. The businesslike Times pointed out that the governorship will become increasingly important (with the eventual disposition of the French West Indies yet to be decided and U. S. good will to be courted). The Daily Mail concentrated on the recreational facilities of the archipelago, described the Bahamas as "isles of pirate gold" and the playground of rich Americans.

As playground superintendents the Windsors are well experienced, will find the routine of Nassau reassuringly similar to that of the Riviera. To the swank Jungle Club go top-flight visiting Nassau socialites to dine, to the equally swank Bahamian Club for dancing or gambling. On nearby Hog Island are the tennis courts and swimming pools of the exclusive Porcupine Club. Below green-shuttered Government House are the warm waters of Nassau harbor, crowded with sleek yachts and fishing launches. Two hours flight away is the Florida coast and its U.S. winter resorts. The cartoonists of the U. S. press were quick to observe the pertinence of the appointment.

Meanwhile commercial-minded Bahamians gleefully awaited the arrival of the royal couple. With the sponge-fishing industry severely curtailed by disease, the islands are almost completely dependent on the tourist trade, which has slimmed down greatly since outbreak of war disrupted ship schedules to Nassau. But shopkeepers confidently expected the headline appeal of their new rulers to attract lucrative swarms of romantic-minded sightseers.

More reservedly enthusiastic were the sun-&-fun-loving income-tax-avoiding members of Nassau's Anglo-American cafe society. As spokesman of the colony's inner circle, Jane, Lady Williams-Taylor, grandmother of onetime Glamor Girl No. 1, Brenda Diana Duff Frazier, decided the Duchess "will be received," primly explained that "she is the wife of the king's representative."

Still unsettled by this clique was the question of whether the Duchess was to be addressed as "Your Royal Highness," the title which Britain has never given her.

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