ARMISTICE DAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 November 1928, Page 2

ARMISTICE DAY

V J WORLD-WIDE OBSERVANCE PRINCE OF WALES’S TRIBUTE (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.-Copyright.)

LONDON, Nov. 9. The Prince of Wales contributes a signed, article to “The Times” special War Graves Number commemorating the tenth anniversary of the armistice. He extols the work of the War Graves Commission and says: “It is not easy to grasp the meaning of the words “a million dead,” but when, one remembers what.splendid fellows they were, and what hopes and affections clung to each, one begins to get some conception of the sacrifice the Empire made. We can feel no other sentiment than gratitude and pride. All over the world, our dead lie, but whether they lie solitary or in company, and regardless of their rank or from what portion of the Empire they came, all are treated with the same reverence and tender care and the’ same type of headstone is over them. They gave their lives in service of the Empire, In that, as in death, all are equal. It is impossible not to be specially touched by the thought of the missing. It is almost an extra patent of gallantry to be among the missing. The rape has not weakened. These million dead are silent witness to that. In honouring the dead, let us not forget the living. We do not yet do justice to Lord Haig’s greatness. He gave all his. heart to the welfare of the men who fought with him. In his name, and in the name of these million dead, I appeal for help to make the lot of all the soldiers richer in the things worth while.”

QUEEN’S MESSAGE TO WOMEN. (Reed. November 1?» 11.30 p.m-) LONDON, November 10. The “Evening Standard” publishes the following Armistice Day message from the Queen to the women of the Empire: “All who have visited the war cemeteries must have been moved to the heart as I was, by the solemn beauty and reverend care with which they are tended. Mte know, too, that the War Graves Commission surrounds them with the same care wherever they may be. In these cemeteries rest many of the fearless and devoted women who gave their lives while serving as army volunteers, territorial nurses, in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, or in Queen Mary’s Corps, yet those who fell are not alone in having sacrificed all hfp has to offer. Every i4an of our million dead may have been, dearer than anything on earth to abme woman, apd in every part of the Empire, to-day, are women who go on living, the wounds in their hearts that time. cannot heal. I wish my voiica could reach each one with a word of loving sympathy.” POPPY FUND SALES. - (Reed. Npv. 13, 10 a.m.) LONDON, November 11. While to-day the memory of those who fell in war time was recalled, the nation yesterday remembered the war’s living victims, and generously supported the 'Poppy Day Fund of the British Legion. Immediately after midnight ex-ser-vioe mon were selling poppies in Picca? dilly Circus, and continued the night long, combing Pleasure Land and Newspaper Land. They caught the night workers and earliest business people. One seller. Miss Victoria Lloyd, with a trayful of poppies, was admitted to Buckingham Palace later in the' day, and was received by Their Majesties, who purchased.' A pretty idea was carried out outside Westminster Abbey, where the grass enclosure blossomed out as a poppy field. - ... There were hundreds of people in Whitehall wreathing or saluting the Cenotaph, twenty-four hours before the Remembrance ceremony. The endless stream continued all day long.

AT LONDON CENOTAPH. KING LEADS CEREMONY. (Reed. November 12, Midday.) LONDON, November 11. From the heart of the Empire there just radiated a mighty wave of homage to the immortal dead- The King again, in dull but fine weather, led the great service at the Cenotaph, but this time, the congregation was Em-pire-wlde for the ceremony for the first time was broadcasted and heard ’by means of special installations in the churches, throughout Britain bylittle groups gathered round the siniple village crosa. While the Guards’ Bands played, detachments from services, ex-servicemen, men, women, choir from Chapel Royal, supplemented by the Westminster Abbey choristers, tpok up positions in Whitehall, then splemfily the King placed a wreath bn the Cenotaph, followed by the Duke of York, representatives of the services, British Dominions and Governments. Among the last named, was Sir J. Farr on behalf of New landOn the first stroke of Big Ben, the firing of a gun marked the beginning of the two minutes’ silence, then the trumpeters of the Royal air force sounded the Last Post. The Hymn "0 God Our Help in ages past,” and the service, conducted by the Bishop of London, followed, ending with the Reveille and National Anthem. It is estimated that the crowd was greater than ever due to the ceremony falling on a Sunday. Then followed a great pilgrimage past the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, culminating at seven in the evening, (n a Remembrance Festival at the Albert Hall, organised by the British Legiop which the King and Queen attended. The Albert Hall festival ended with the familiar Last post and Reveille, Lord Jellicoe giving the keynote to the gathering, in an impressive appeal to the vast assembly to renew the pledge to keep alive the spirit of comradeship which won the war, while working unceasingly for peace, that such horrors would never be repeated. BOMBS AT DUBLIN republican~outrages » (Recd. Nov. 12, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11. Bomb explosions before dawn awoke Dublin to the fact that Armistice Day

had arrived and there is still a dangerous section of the extremist Republican abroad. During the night, explosions were placed at the base of King William’s equestrian monument, College Green. The explosion damaged the pedestal and bronze horse and shattered the windows of banks and offices in vicinity. Simultaneously, a bomb exploded at the base of the bronze statute of King George the Second, Saint Stephen’s Green, damaging , the stone work. Both explosions were heard for miles. The police rushed to the vicinity but made no arrests. Jt was feared that further outrages WQUId interfere with processions, never theless of be-niedailed and poppied ex-service ipen accompanied ■by the Black Shifted British Fascisti, and women relatives of the fallen, despite pelting fain, marched to the Cenotaph, Bhoepix Park, on which Deputy Shaw placed a wreath on behalf of the Free State. The crowd after the silence, sang “God Save the King.” The return march was marred by several scuffles. Youths attempting to break the procession’s ranks, and seize the, Union Jacks, were roughly handled. They were rescued with difficulty by the Civic Guards. Excited crowds thronged the principal streets, with the expectation of further disturbances.

GREYMOUTH OBSERVANCE.

| ; - I „ ■ ,■3 ' | An-added touch of solemnity was imparted to the observance of Armistice Day at Greymouth, by the fact that the anniversary occurred op a Sunday. The usual week-day distractions of business were absent, and citizens were thus able to concentrate their thoughts on the observance and its meaning. The scene in the various churches, during the two minutes’ silence at 11 o’clock, with shafts of sunshine making their way through the stained-glass windows, was most impressive, only the slow tolling of the firebell breaking the solemn silence. Appropriate references to the day were made from all pulpits. The Sunday-morning calm of the practically deserted streets was also appropriate to the occasion, while the two minutes’ silence was generally observed by the citizens.

AT THE CENOTAPH. The customary pilgrimage to Cenotaph on Taihui Street was made by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), the Town Clerk (Mr F. H. Denton) and other citizens ; also the President of the Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr A. H.. McKane) and several members. A wreath from the citizens of Greymouth \vas placed in position by the Mayor, while there were also wreaths from the R.S.A. and others. Included among, them was ope from about fifty Italian ex-soldiers, residents of the district, the British and Italians flags being entwined among the .flowers. The wreath was placed in position by the Vice-Consul for Italy (Mr G. Perotti). A similar tribute is also made by the Italians on Anzac Day. The Greymouth Maip School was also represented by a wreath, provided by contributions of. one penny per head from the pupils. The wreath was placed on the Cenotaph by one of the Sixth Standard girls. , f AT THE CHURCHES. The 10 a.m. Mass at St. 'Patrick’s Church was well attended, t’he congregation including seventy-two Territorials and Senior Cadets. After the Mass, the Rev. Father Long, Adm., offered prayer for the souls of those who made the supreme sacrifice during the war, and for continued peace. The choir sang the hymn, “Eternal Rest,’’ and the “Dead March” was played by the organist. The blessings of pease, spiritual and temporal, formed the keynote of the delivered during the day. There was a military parade at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, when two officers and fifty-five Territorials, apd two officers and one hundred and twenty-one senior and Technical School Cadets, paraded, and were headed by the Greymouth Municipal Band. The Band led the singing of the hymns, and during the offertory played the hymn, “Jesus, Rover of My Soul.” Taking as his text, “The truth shall make you free” (St. John 8.32), Rev. T. N. Cuttie referred to the signing of the Armistice, and the efforts for the world’s peace striven for in the signing of the Locarno Pact. He referred to the sense of right which prompted the entry of Great Britain into the war. He spoke of the quick change made in England from peace to war conditions, and the patience of the people under the latter and their policy at the announcement of the Armistice. Referring to the litle white crosses which marked the graves of the valiant dead throughout the war-swept areas, he carried the thoughts of his hearers back to the Cross “without the city gate,” illustrating thereby the . text, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” After the benediction the congregation sang the National Anthem.

At St. Paul’s Methodist Church, there was a large attendance. Special hymns were sung, the Rev. G. E. Brown basing his sermon on the text “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom nor the mighty map in his might nor the rich man in bis riches, but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth Me” (Jeremiah 9, 23/24). and made appropriate reference to the signing of the Armistice. At the Salvqtipn Army service there was a good attendance. A special reference to the Armistice was made by Ensign Searje, and also by Envoy Spiith of Invercargill, who gave a stirring address on the significance of Armistice Day. At Holy Trinity Church, there was a parade of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts and a good congregational attendance. After the two minutes

silence, the Te Deum was sung. Rev. J. S. Bartlett based his address on Revelations, 2-10. “Be Thou Faithful Unto Death,”. stressing the need for loyalty, and pointing out the sacrifices made during the Great War by the soldiers at the front, and the people who had to keep the country going under the trying conditions which existed during the war period. AT WESTPORT. WESTPORT, November 11. At a gathering in the Town Hall this afternoon, presided over by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J- M- Robertson), a resolution, proposed by Rev A. Miller, and seconded by Rev. J. W. Bloyce, to promote world-wide peace, was carried unanimously. The usual Armistice Day ceremonies were observed. AT CHRISTCHURCH

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 11. Armistice Day was celebrated in the churches to-day. The services all commenced at 10.45, and two minutes silence was observed, with appropriate references following. At a church paiade of territorials held at Hagley Park Bishop West Watson preached. WELLINGTON CELEBRATIONS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 10. - “To-day on behalf of the people of New Zealand, I accept this emblem of remembrance. I sincerely hope the memories it recalls will be . kept so green, that never again will it be the lot of nations to come into conflict with the resultant loss and wastage. In these words the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) received at the steps of Parliament House to-day the wreath forwarded to New Zealand through the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, by the British Empire Service League. The handing over ceremony was simple, brief and impressive, following the morning service at the Salvation Army Citadel, the parade of Returned Soldiers headed by the Citadel Band, marched to the Parliamentary Grounds, where a fairly large number of people had assembled. Speaking on behalf of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr W. Perry explained that the wreath had been forwarded in accordance with the wish of the late Earl Haig that a wreath should be placed on National War Memorials in each of tfte capital cities of the Empire on each Armistice Day. As there was yet no National War Memorial in Wellington, it had been decided to hand the emblem over to the Prime Minister at the steps of the Parliament House. “It is with a deep sense of duty that I accept this tribute to our honoured dead,” said the Prime Minister. “In the meantime it shall lie in the Parliament House, representing the head of . pur constitution in New Zealand. Later, when the National War Memorial is erected, the wreath shall have its place, annually I hope at the foot of that Memorial. It will be- in safe keeping until such time as it is taken to another resting place.” At a crowded peace demonstration meeting in the Town Hall. the following resolution was carried unanimously: “On this day of grateful remembrance we citizens of Wellington declare our detestation of war and our earnest desire for permanent peace, based on International friendship and on general disarmament.” Special reference were made to Armistice Day in all Churches, and a two minutes’ silence was observed., A Church military parade was held this morning in the Salvation Army Citadel. Mr Coates was present and expressed satisfaction at the turn out.

SERVICES AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, November 11. The tenth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice fell to-day, when the usual services were held. The weather was cold and unpleasant, and sharp showers fell throughout the day. 'ln addition to the outdoor services on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedra], and the usual people’s service in the Cathedral in the evening, all the churches held special services to commemorate the occasion. A mass meeting of citizens was held, and church parades were held by the Druidic Order and the Boy Scouts.

SYDNEY OBSERVANCES. SYDNEY, November 11. Armistice services were held in some churches to-day, with appropriate gatherings at various suburban parks, and Scout parades. A wreath was placed on the Cenotaph by the Fellowship of Mons as a tribute to their Australian comrades who fell in the war, but the official ceremony, arranged by Government and military authorities will be held to-morrow. SYDNEY, November 12. Armistice Day was officially observed this morning. There were large crowds in Martin Place where the Cenotaph is situated, and upon which wreaths were placed by the Returned Soldiers’ Organisation, the Government, Army, Navy and Air Force were represented qt the subsequent commemoration, wreaths being placed on the Cenotaph by the Lieut.Govemor, Sir W. Cullen, and the State Premier (Mr Bavin), and representatives of the services. The two minutes’ silence was observed at eleven o’clock throughout the city, when there was q sudden cessation of all activities, producing an impressive calm. The great bell at the Univer sity tolled for fifteen minutes from 10.30. The weather Was fine. MR. COOLIDGE’S STATEMENT AMERICAN POLICY OUTLINED (Recd. Nov. 12. 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 11. Mr. Coolidge, in an Armistice Day address here, made an important announcement of foreign policy. The President recounted the American achievements of arms in the war and said: — “The United States was the only country after the conflict that had much reserve power left. Our resources delivered Europe from starvation and ruin.’’ He denied that the United States macle a profit out of the war. The United States’ expenditure on the conflict would probably total a hundred thousand million dollars, or half the entire wealth of the country when it entered the war. America’s benefits from the war were not material but spiritual. “People are awake to the drumbeat of a new destiny. Every dictate of humanity constantly cries aloud that we do not want any more war. The questions before the League of Nations are how to prevent war and how to defend ourselves. If it comes, we do not know; any nation

which has ever been able to provide arms enough always to be at peace. It is our duty to ourselves and the cause of civilisation to preserve domestic tranquility, orderly lawful relations with foreign peoples, to maintain adequate army and navy. We do not need a large land force. The situation is different when we turn to sea.”

The President recounted the long coastline and foreign commerce “unsurpassed in importance” and foreign investments to protect, and added: “But we are also bound by international treaty to defend the Panama Canal. We require, because we have few fuel stations, ships of large tonnage and having scarcely any merchant vessels capable of mounting five or six inch guns, it is obvious that based on our needs we are entitled to a larger number of warships than a nation having these advantages. We called the Washington Conference for the purpose of naval agreement. It, no doubt has some significance that foreign governments made agreements limiting the class of combat vessels in which we were superior. We made altogether the heaviest sacrifice in scrapping work which was already in existence. That should for ever remain not only a satisfaction to ourselves- but a demonstration to others of our good faith in advocating the principles of limitations.” The President, referring to the Conference between Britain, Japan and the United States said: “The United States there proposed a limitation of the cruiser tonnage of 250,000 to 300,000. The British, as near as we could figure out their proposal, asked for from 425,000 to 600,000. No agreement was made as it appeared useless to us to agree to so large a tonnage which constituted, not limitation, but extension of war fleets.” Referring to the rejection of the Anglo-French agreement, the President said: “Had we not done so, the French army and English navy would have been so ■ near to unlimited that the principle of limitations would be virtually abandoned.” Mi- Coolidge praised the outlawry of war treaty. “While recognising to the fullest the duty of self defence, and not undertaking as no human ingenuity could undertake, absolute guarantee against war, it is the most complete, and will be the most effective instrument for peace ever devised. We can only say that this is the best that mortal man can do. It is beside the mark to argue we should put no faith in it.”

Taking up reparations and war debts Mr. Coolidge said: “We have heard an impressive amount of discussion concerning our duty to Europe. We do have such duties, but they are mutual.” He declared that American loans to Germany have enabled her to pay reparations, but there is little reason for sending capital abroad, while rates for money in London and Paris are four or five per cent, and in the United States they are much higher. England is placing very considerable loans abroad. France has had large credits abroad, some of which have been culled hopie. Both are making very large outlays for military purposes. Europe on the whole, has arrived at a state of financial prosperity and stability, where it cannot be said we are called on to help or act much beyond strict business basis. The needs of our own people require that any further advances by us have the most careful consideration. It would not only be a selfish but entirely unenlightened view for the United States not to wish Europe to prosper. We want the investment of life and money which we made there to be to their benefit. We should like to have our Government debts all settled, though it is probable that we could better afford to lose them than our debtors could afford not to pay them. It has always been plain that Europe and United States are lacking in mutual understanding. We are prone to think they can do as we can do. We are not interested in their age old animosities. We have not suffered from centuries of violent hostilities. We do not see how difficult it is for them to displace distrust in each other with faith ip each other. They, on the other hand, appear to think that we are going to do exactly what they would do if they had our chance.”

Declaring that America is against Imperialism, the President said: “America’s outlying possessions with the exception of Panama Canal are a hindrance not an advantage. If we could secure more complete reciprocity in goodwill, the final liquidation of balance of our foreign debts, and such further limitation of armaments as would be commensurate with the treaty renouncing war, our confidence in the effectiveness of any additional efforts op our part to assist in further progress of Europe would be greatly increased.’’

ANGLO-GERMAN AMENITIES

WEISBADEN, Nov. 11. In recognition of the municipal council laying a wreath in the British section, during tlie German observance of the service last week, representatives of the British Army in the Rhineland, placed a wreath on the German war memorial. The ceremony passed almost unnoticed owing to the bad weather, but hundreds inspected the wreath when the news spread. THE NEW GERMANY. SPORT BEFORE WAR. LONDON, November 10. The tenth anniversary of the Armistice finds Germany totally disinterested. The day that the Germans remember as marking the end of the war is not November 11, 1918, but November 9th, when the old order was swept away, and the Kaiser disappeared to Holland. To a few disgruntled .Nationalists, it is the most ignominious day in German history, but for the remainder it signals an opportunity to work out their own salvation, with.no further assistance from divine grace. Thus to-day Berlin is brillantly aglow, and proceeds with a merriment rivalling the carefreeness of London before the war. A decade after the war the old forgotten memory of glittering Imperial parades has*-been replaced with a desire for new commerce and finance, new uses for machinery in all modern ways, making the land prosperous and wise. Germany rather would be second at the Olympic Games than first in another armament race. They got all wrought, up over defeating the Australians at tennis, but if one talks to them about a new gigantic army, they give a disgusted look, and go on singing and drinking good beer. They neither drink nor sing to forget their sorrow, but rather from a sheer love of music. When a band plays “Deutschland Über Alles,” they do not rise and yell, but let a band play the song “Rhine Wines, Rhine Maids,” and

there is a roar of appreciation in Germany now. The people’s political power in the last two elections reflect their unanimous view that war is down and out. For this amazing change one looks to President Von Hindenburg in his most ardent advocacy of the Republic. On the other hand, one looks at the trouble that the Atlantic flyer, Baron Von Huenfeld, got himself by visiting the ex-Kaiser, and he had to make open reparation, to the workers and Social Democrats. Everywhere to-day Germans declare : “By winning the war, you broke up Prussianism, destroyed soldier education, and gave Germans a chance to discover the rottenness of military glory.” The same spirit exists in the younger generation. They are not dreaming secret dreams of glory. Instead, they are playing games. . The whole of Germany is a vast national playing ground, organised even better than the United States. Young Germans are mad with the desire for sport. There are still embittered Monarchists, and now and again they are allowed to parade, but it is no more than a parade of wooden soldiers. Everywhere to-day, a decade after the Armistice, there is growing prosperity, and a complete absorption of all the benefits of peace. The Germans, freed from military tyranny, find the pipe of peace pleasant to smoke as they drink their Munchene.

Little Willie, now grey-lhaired, and approaching fifty, is a figure of tragedy to-day. The man who spent his impressionable years expecting to rule a vast Empire, was suddenly turned, without warning, into a very ordinary citizen, whose main recreation is driving a sports car at 170 kilometres an hour. The ex-. Crown Prince and Princess maintain a miniature court at Potsdam with two equerries, and four servants. The Prince is spending the day reading, chiefly English military and political history, such as the lives of Lords Curzon and Birkenhead and Mr Churchill. The completenss of his fall was shown recently when he and the Princess, on attending the opera in pouring rain, had to stand aside while Frau Stresemapn’s car was brought to the door of the Opera House, whereas the ex-Prince and Princess were obliged to walk £nd search for a car in the downpour. The ex-Crown Prince treated the matter as a joke, but the Princess was deeply resentful. Germany doesn’t care how resentful, or how wet.