A WEIRD SCENE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, 1 August 1912, Page 5

A WEIRD SCENE.

OUTSIDE THE PALACE PRIOR TO THE MIKADO’S DEATH.

THOUSANDS OF HIS SUBJECTS IN SUPPLICATION.

KNEELING WITH THEIR HEADS IN THE DUST. [UNITED PR3SS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] TOKTO, July 30. During the Mikado’s dosing hours crowds surrounded the Palace. Priests from shrines and temples erected make-shift altars, and led the people to prayers and exhortation. Hundreds with lanterns knelt with their heads on the ground. Thousands on the. outskirts of the crowd sfood bareheaded. Policemen at every twenty yards, with red and yellow lanterns, kept an open wav for officials and diplomatists hastening for news. It was a weird scene. ENGLISH FLAGS HALF-MASTED. LONDON, July 30. Many flags in England have been half-masted in consequence of the Mikado’s death. FIVE DAYS’ CLOSE MOURNING. (Received Julv 31. 11 p.m.) TOKIO. July 31. The interment will take place at Kyoto. The new Emperor, after the quaint Accession ceremonies, retired to Aoyama palace for five days’ deepest mourningThe coronation will take place at Kyoto in 1913. King George condoled with the new monarch and the British ambassador conveyed Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Minister) and the Government’s expression of Britain’s deepest sorrow.

SYDNEY CONDOLENCES. (Received August 1. 12.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 31. Flags were half-masted on account of the deatli of the Mikado. Many messages of condolence have been sent through the consul-general. The latter received a cable annOuncinrr that the Crown Prince was proclaimed 17 minutes after the Mikado’s death.