CLEMENCEAU’S END

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 53, 26 November 1929, Page 11

CLEMENCEAU’S END

“LITERALLY DIED IN HIS BOOTS” NO RELIGIOUS SERVICE AT INTERMENT (Rec. November 25, 7.15 p.m.) Paris, November 25. During recent years M. Clemenceau never undressed or went, to bed. He simply took off his collar and threw himself on a hard mattress, on boards, ready in the event of.insomnia to rise and continue his work of writing. Thus it may be said he literally died in his boots. Interment will be carried out without religious service or ceremony of any kind. The grave will be dug by his own chauffeur. Nobody but relatives and villagers will be admitted to the ground. The police are assisting in the desire to preserve the closest Secrecy by stopping motor traffic to the village. Nevertheless, salutes will be fired throughout France tomorrow.

MOURNING THROUGHOUT FRANCE

Paris, November 24. There are signs of mourning throughout France, with Tricolours draped in black. The coffin will contain a vase made froifi a German shell, containing a bunch of faded flowers, given to Clemenceau during a visit to the trenches. Sixty hours of agonising pain, made bearable by morphine, preceded Clemenceau’s death. His son and grandson were at the bedside, and his daughter in the next room. Just before his death Clemenceau kissed the hands of his valet and chauffeur, and then died without uttering a word. Great crowds assembled outside the residence to-day, including many war veterans. President Doumergue called and offered France’s condolences to the family. The Premier, M. Tardieu, and other Cabinet members, Ambassadors, and notables followed. Clemenceau died comparatively poor. Apart from a valuable collection of books and a few pictures, the estate is not expected to exceed £4OOO. Newspapers of every shade pay tribute to his devoted service to France. The views are best summed up in the “Quotidien,” which says: “Clemenceau at the supreme moment decided the fate of France,” and the “Temps,” “The most fitting epitaph is ‘This was a man.’ ”