WILSON TRAGEDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1922, Page 5

WILSON TRAGEDY

SCENES AT FUNERAL.

DISTINGUISHED PALL BEARERS (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 26. Field Marshal Foch and .General Weygand visited the late Sir Henry Wilson’s house, knelt by the body and recited prayers for the dead. Thousands made a pilgrimage to the house on Sunday and stood in silence, the men uncovering their heads. Though shorn of much of it s pageantry, owing to rain, there was an imposing military display at FieldMarshal Wilson’s funeral. The brilliant uniforms of great military and naval dignitaries were covered by cloaks and mackintoshes. The funeral proceeded from Eaton Place to the Embankment, thence to St. Paul’s. The route was densely crowded. The cortege, escorted by six battalions of Guards and eight squadrons of Household Cavalry left Sir Henry’s residence, while the muffled drums of the combined band s of Grenadiers, Coldstream, Scots, and Welsh Guards, rolled preliminary to Chopin’s “Funeral March.” A gun carriage bore the coffin, draped with the Union Jack, surmounted by Sir Henry’s Illumed hat and sword. On every side of the gun carriage were pall-bearers including Field-Marshal s Lords Grenfell and Methuen, Earl Ypres, Earl Haig, Sir W. Robertson, Earl Beatty and Sir H. Trenchard. Then followed Sir Henry Wilson’s grey charger. The Duke of Connaught, representing the King walked with Marshal Foch, followed by representatives of the War Office, Army Council, foreign dignitaries and the High Commissioners. The body was laid to rest in the crypt of the Cathedral between the tombs of Lord Roberts and Lord Wolseley. The Cathedral was crowded long before the procession arrived. All members of the Cabinet were present.

The Guards took a position around the entrances to St. Paul’s standing with arms reversed. The service within was simple and impressive. The musical portion included the Psalm 23, Stanford’s anthem “I heard a Voice from Heaven,” and Goss’s “If We Believe That Jesus Died,” also the hymn “O, God. Our Help.” The service was conducted by Canon Alexander, the Bishop of London assisting. The congregation reniained standing while the Dead March was played, then came the Last Post and Reveille’. While \the coffin was being lowered there was an affecting scene. Women and even soldiers wept After the service. Lady Wilson, leaning on Marshal Foch’s arm, left the Cathedral. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. Recd. 11 a.m. LONDON, June 26. The Wilson inquest was hold at tho Westminster Coroner's Court. Major Wilson, a brother, gave evidence that deceased had received police protection, and did not know when it was withdrawn.

The taxi-driver (name withheld) stated that he drove Sir Henry Wilson home. When they reached Eaton Place, Sir Henry walked towards the door. Witness .started to drive off when he heard a loud bang. He looked round thinking the noise was a tyre bursting, but saw Wilson standing on the kerb. ‘‘l saw.” witness added, “a man with a revolver in his right hand standing in the road three yards beyond Wilson. I saw the man fire, and second and third shots followed quickly and Sir Henry Wilson fell face downwards on the pavement. I did not see a second man. I drove' off and did not sec Sir Henry Wilson draw his sword.

A servant employed at Lady Wilson’s, gave evidence that after the shooting, she spoke to Sir Henry who tried to reply, but could not. A street labourer stated that Sir Henry Wilson did not appear te hear the first report. AfLor the second s] ot he bent down to avoid a further shot. Witness saw a big man three yards on Wilson’s right side, and a smaller man four yards on the left if. Tie heard numerous reports is though both were firing. Sir Coury Wilson •was shot at several times while stai cling, and doubled up in front of the’ door. Witness then related the cha*-e after the murderers.

Air AlacDonnell, accused’s solicitor, remarked that on his advice, the accused were not attending the Court that day. Other evidence was given on the lines cabled reports. A verdict was returned of wilful murder against Connolly and O’Brien who were committed for trial. CORONER’S TRIBUTE. LONDON, June 26. The inquest on Sir Henry Wilson reveals that the assassins were armed with service revolvers. Sir Henry had eight bullet wounds in the body, and one in each side of the chest. Both were fat d The Coroner paid a tribute to the inspiring bravery of the law-abiding Englishmen, who though unarmed, chased the murderers. ACCUSED’S RESIDENCE.

Recd. 2 p.m. LONDON, June 26. The Home Secretary, Air E. Shortt speaking in the Commons said that Sir Henry AVilson’s murderers were Londoners. There was no evidence that they I.ad ever been in Ireland in their lives.

EXTREMISTS WARNED,

LONDON, June 26.

Mr Churchill, in the Commons, in a statement on the Irish situation, declared that all the horrors in Belfast were due to the I.R.A. in northern territory, and the extreme partisan efforts to force Ulster under Dublin rule. Ulster would be effectively supported at all costs against coercion. The more Sinn Fein kicked aganst the pricks, the worse it would be for them, but as Ulster had been strengthened it was her duty to prevent 'unlawful reprisals. Any Southern attempt to invade Ulster would be repulsed by the Imperial power.

ULSTER REBUKES DE VALERA.

LONDON,. June 26.

The Ulster Association replying to Mr de Valera, describes, his statement as an, outrage to decency, .to foreign instincts and British and Trish” chivalry. It might have been thought, the Association stated, that on such an occasion as this, when the whole world was stunned by such a murder, the voice of de Valera would have kept, silent, but instead, he had

chosen a most solemn occasion to make statements which were not only a travesty of the truth, but were maliciously designed to excuse a crime unparalleled in the tragic history of Irish affairs.

LABOUR’S CONDEMNATION

LONDON, June 25

A mass meeting of railwaymen at Edinburgh loudly cheered Mr J. H. Thomas’s statement in reference to the late Sir H. Wilson, which was as follows: “It is our duty to remember that the bullet must not substitute the ballot in this country, in which no party will stand up more fearlessly against outrages of this kind than the Labourites.” FINAL ELECTION RETURNS. LONDON, June 26. The final figures for the Irish Provisional Parliament are:— Pro-Treaty 62 Anti-Treaty 36 Labour 17 Farmers 7 Independents 6 Large numbers of Irish-Americans are returning. Thirteen hundred landed at the week-end. AMMUNITION SEIZED. LONDON, June 26.

Customs officers boarded the steamer Foynes lying in the Thames, and found a box containing six hundred cartridges. Prendergast, the ship’s steward, residing in Limerick, who admitted that he bought the ammunition for friends in Ireland for self-defence, was fined one hundred pounds, or in default two months’ imprisonment.

The following extract from a letter received by a Dunedin company from a client in Ireland gives an impressive idea of the conditions of life as they affect peaceful citizens: —“I am very giad you think the prospects for the future (New Zealand) are very much brighter. Here the prospect was never so gloomy. We never know what is going to happen one hoar ahead; it’s awful when night comes. England ran away and left us with no protection for life or property. Months ago ‘they’ came at night, took my bicycle,

and rode it for weeks in my face, day after day; ten days ago ‘they’ smasnrd the locks on two gates and the door where I had my motor, took it, and I never expect to see it again. If I hal interfered with them or kicked up a row it would have meant a bullet. This ’s omy a little of what we have gone through. Aly brother has left the country. as also have several of my relatives. The revolver and bomb rule the country, and the rebels arc carrying on a sort < f tbicatical fight amongst themselves, too; but the real sufferers are tho loyal, peaceable people, hard-working farmers, who onb want to go about their work in peace a> d quietness. The fighting element hac nothing to lose, never had, nor never veil’ Lave. Thank God, I have no property In Ireland. Where lam at present I rent from year to year.”