ARMISTICE DAY SENSATION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22249, 13 November 1937, Page 15

ARMISTICE DAY SENSATION

Disturbance Created At Cenotaph SILENCE INTERRUPTED BY SHOUTING MAN (totted Tsxsa association—corauoirr.) (Received November 12, 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, November 11

There was a remarkable scene at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to-day during the Armistice Day service. The two minutes' silence had just started when a man, middle-aged, fair, hatless, and wearing a raincoat, hurled himself, shoulder first, through the police into the backs of the naval guard. He lurched through the guard into the open space and began running towards the King, his arm raised, and shouting: "Why all this hypocrisy? You are deliberately preparing for war!" Cries arose of "Hold him," "Hold him," but by the time the police had flung him down, the man was six yards from the King and three yards from the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) and members of the Cabinet. The man continued shouting from the ground, and after a terrific struggle the police silenced him by holding their hands over his mouth. . M .„ , The noise, which was intensified by the profound silence, was picked up by the microphones and broadcast to millions of listeners throughout Britain. The ceremony was also being televised for the first time, and the incident was seen miles from Whitehall.. The man was dragged, apparently unconscious, and held down in the Home Office doorway until the end of the silence. He was then picked up and taken to Downing Street through menacing crowds. After the silence the crowd gave vent to its feelings and boomed and shouted: "Kill him!" "Kill him! but he was removed in time. The King, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, and the Ministers remained unmoved throughout the whole incident. The vast throng sang God Save the King" with great fervour at the close of the service. The incident was watched by Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary from a window of the Home Office. It is understood that the King did not see the incident, and he called for a full report after returning to the Palace. __ .. The Home Office reports that the man was Stanley Storey, an escapee from the Canehill Asylum, in Surrey It is unlikely that he wilt be charged by the Court, as he has again been placed in an institution. Referring to the incident in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare) said that Storey, who was 43 years of age, was responsible for a disturbance in the gallery of the House of Commons on January 27. He had been in an asylum from February 4 to September 21, on which date he escaped, and he had since been at Storey fell forward through the ranks of the police, who thought that he was fainting, then got up and dived through the naval contingent, shouting some such words as "No more war." He was immediately removed. Storey said that he had thought of making this demonstration three days ago, but he had no intention of making an attack on the King or anyone else. No weapons of any kind were found on him. The man was obviously suffering from delusions, and he was at present in the Fulham Infirmary under observation. No question of criminal proceedings was under consideration. The only question was whether application should be made to a Magistrate for his recertification as a lunatic. This must depend upon the result of the observations. _ The Cenotaph service at Spitai:fields Markets was interrupted by the shouts of a middle-aged man. After the two minutes' silence he was set on by the crowd and badly knocked about. A man narrowly escaped a beating by the crowd at Ludgate Circus, when a loud whistling broke the silence. He was chased, but he esC 3.136(3. After the service at the Cenotaph the King walked across to the exservice men and inspected the Haig statue.

DUKE ABSENT FROM SERVICE AFFECTED *BY CANON'S STATEMENT BRITISH LEGION PROVIDES DEMONSTRATION PAI-IS, November 11. The Duke of Windsor did not attend the Armistice Day service at St. George's Church. Until an early hour this morning the Duke discussed with Lord Brownlow and other members of his suite the situation created by Canon Dart's attitude. An officer of his household stated: "The Duke wished to pay homage to Britain's war dead in a dignified manner as a private citizen and as a former soldier. He is deeply affected by Canon Dart's statement." Later the Duke announced that he had decided not to attend the service as he had no desire to interfere with the ceremony. . Members of the British Legion, angered by Canon Dart's attitude, held an indignation meeting outside the church before the service. The flag-bearer refused to carry the flag, declaring, "It is a dirty trick. The Duke was a war veteran." Canon Dart, wearing six war medals, addressed the demonstrators, saying: "I did not refuse the former King entrance to the church, but I refuse to speak to him. I have informed him that 1 am willing to apologise publicly and privately for the incident created." The members, of the legion decided not to take fmtiyar action. aa4i

marched into the church. Two seats remained empty, being reserved for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Canon Dart, in an intep'iew, said: "An hour before the service I informed the Duke's equerry that I had not authorised the statement attributed to me. If the Duke had attended the service he would have been received by me and the congregation with all the respect due to the King's brother. The last thing I wished to do was to publicly insult a man unable to defend himself. I wish to take this opportunity publicly apologising to the Duke." The British Legion invited the Duke to attend a ceremony commemorating the Empire dead at tiie Notre Dame Cathedral, but the Duke replied: "As the observance of the two minutes' silence, which I desired to pass in church with you, has gone, I feel that it would be inappropriate to be present this afternoon. I hope, however, that you will give me an opportunity of meeting you on another occasion." It is stated that the Duke of Windsor observed the silence in his suite at his hotel.

OBSERVANCE IN JERUSALEM BOYCOTT CARRIED OUT BY ARABS JERUSALEM, November 11. Arabs boycotted the British Armistice Day service in Jerusalem, their representatives refusing to accept the invitations. The Italian Consul also did not attend on the ground that prominent Abyssinians were to be present. Cars armed with Lewis guns patrolled the streets as a precaution against disturbances. An Arab was shot dead on the outskirts of the city. MR JORDAN LAYS WREATH IN BRUSSELS (Received November 12, 8.30 p.rr..) BRUSSELS, November 11. The New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan), who was dangerously wounded in the War at Meteren, placed a wreath on the Unknown Soldier's tomb :n memory of British and Dominion fallen. He hopes to visit the battlefields before returning to London.