THE KING IN FRANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23015, 21 July 1938, Page 13

THE KING IN FRANCE

VISIT TO ARC DE TRIOMPHE WREATH PLACED ON UNKNOWN SOLDIER'S TOMB GREATLY ACCLAIMED ALONG ROUTE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyngbi PARIS, July 20. “ The King has brought London weather,” was the Parisians’ jest apropos the misty morning when His Majesty, in the uniform of a FieldMarshal, preceded by 12 policemen on motor cycles and escorted by the Bepublican Guard, and attended by French military and civil officials, drove to the Arc de Triomphe and placed a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Traffic was stopped for two hours, citizens accepting without complaint delays which caused thousands to be late for work. Troops guarded the route, and white-cloaked Spahis and ex-service-men with 100 banners encircled the Arc de Triomphe and saluted as the King laid a wreath of Flanders poppies with a ribbon of the British colours on the tomb, French and British bauds playing the v National Anthems. His Majesty signed the golden book and returned to the Quai d’Orsay, being greatly acclaimed idong the route. “VIVE IE ROI! ” CROWDS GREET ROYAL BARGE PICTURESQUE PROCESSION ON SEINE PARIS, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) As His Majesty, almost kneeling, reverently placed the wreath on the tomb, buglers sounded the ‘ Call aus Morts,’ equivalent to the 1 Last Post,’ after which there was a minute’s silence. Their Majesties later journeyed along the Seine in a specially-built Royal barge to the Hotel de Ville. This was one of the most picturesque ceremonies of the visit. The King wore an Admiral’s uniform and the Queen a gown of ivory lace and a white hat with a plume of ostrich feathers. She was carrying a white fox fur. The boatswain piped them aboard the decorated barge, which, accompanied by M. Lqbrun’s barge and escorted by naval motor boats, made a procession of miles through historic and ancient Paris. The banks were lined with troops, and multitudes of citizens’ shouts of “ Vive le Roi!” resounded throughout the voyage. Members of the municipality received their Majesties at the Hotel de Ville. The King, responding to the address of welcome, recalled that his grandfather had visited tho hotel in 1903 and had helped to lay the foundations of the entente between France and Britain. His father came in 1914 and confirmed the entente, which soon after received its baptism of fire. To-day he came to find that the entente had lost nothing of its strength and vitality. The King concluded by paying a tribute to the “ grace, beauty, and friendliness of the Parisians’ reception, whereby the Queen and myself are much moved.” Their Majesties lunched at the British Embassy, where there was a brilliant diplomatic assembly. ITALIAN PRESS BOYCOTTS VISIT EVENT DISMISSED IN FEW PARAGRAPHS ROME, July 20. (Received July 21, at 10.30 a.m.) The newspapers are boycotting tho Royal, visit to Paris, recalling the boycott of the Coronation. Parisian correspondents arc apparently having a holiday. The official agency dismisses the event in a few paragraphs which are printed on the back page, almost equal to the prominence accorded the Duke of Windsor’s visit to Naples.

LORD HALIFAX MEETS FRENCH STATESMEN BEGINNING OF CONVERSATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGRY, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) Lord Halifax met M. Daladier and M. Bonnet to-day in Paris to have personal exchanges, and it is likely that the conversations will be continued tomorrow. HEAVY PROGRAMME OF FUNCTIONS QUEEN ELIZABETH RECEIVES RED GROSS MEDAL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11.30 a.in.) Their Majesties discharged a heavy programme of engagements to-day in Paris. After luncheon at the British Embassy they visited the Louvre to view the exhibition of British art. They were accompanied by President and Madame Lebrun. Their Majesties later attended a garden party at the Bagatelle Gardens. Their Majesties also took part iu a small in which the Marquise de Liljers, president of the French lied' Cross Council and of the Society Jo

Aid Wounded Soldiers, gave the Queen the lied Cross Modal of Honour awarded to Her Majesty by the special decision of the Central Red Cross Committee on the occasion of her visit to the conference in London. Associated with the ceremony wore Madame Lyautey, widow of the famous soldier who was president of the Central Committee to Wounded Soldiers, the Comtesse de Galard, president of the Association of French Ladies, and Madame Saint Rene Taillandier, general president of the Union of Women of France. All were presented to their Majesties, as were also General Retain, General Franchet Desperey, Madame Foch, Madame Joffre, General and Madame Weygand, and General Gourand. This evening their Majesties gave a dinner at the British Embassy in honour of President and Madame Lebrun,, and later attended an opera gala performance. \ CZECHOSLOVAKIA REASSURED PRAGUE, July 20. (Received July 21, at 1.5 p.m.) Czechoslovakian newspapers arc comforted by- the King’s visit to Paris as proof of Anglo-French solidarity. JAPAN FEATURES VISIT PRAISE BY THE PRESS TOKIO, July 20. July 21, at 1 p.m.) Newspaper editorials attach significance to the visit, considering it aims at European peace. They describe their Majesties in most honorific terms, reflecting General Ugaki's determination to improve Anglo-Japanesc relations. KING'S GIFT TO PARIS POOR PARIS. July 20. (■'Received July 21, at 2 p.m.) The King has given £575 to the poor of Paris.