ARMISTICE DAY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 November 1925, Page 9

ARMISTICE DAY

LONDON’S TRIBUTE. IMPRESSIVE SCENE. SERVICE AT CENOTAPH. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received Nov. 12, 2.40 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 11. With the passage of years the celebrations of Armistice Day. become ever more reverential. The day broke with torrential rain, sleet and thunder in London, and snowstorms throughout the country. The pilgrimage to the Cenotaph an Whitehal’ began even before dawn. 'Sellers of Flanders poppies were early afoot. Elaborate preparations had been made by the authorities for marshaling what was expected to. be a record assemblage. the rain ceased a coun'e of hours before the solemn silence, when an impressive scene was witnessed at the cenotaph. The whole of Whitehall was a solid mass of people. A few rays of sunshine pierced the gloom as the hour for the silence struck. The Guards, in their scarlet, with grey greatcoats, and the marines in their white he'met s gave a touch of colour to the otherwise sombre picture.

The King, in khaki uniform, accompanied the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and other royalties took up their positions opposite the cenotaph, while drawn up alongside were the whole Cabinet, the High Commissioners, .with the Earl of Oxford, Mr Lloyd George, and Mr Ramsay MacDonald among those in the second row. The King first laid a wreath, and he was followed by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, Mr Baldwin, and then Lord Birkenhead (for India), and Mr L. C. M. Amerv (for the Dominions), and the High Commissioners also laid wreaths. This had just been completed when the silence was announced. The King and other members of the Royal Fami ! y removed their caps., The subsequent service was brief. The “Last Post” was sounded, and this was succeeded by “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” Prayers were then said, followed by the benediction, the sounding of the “Reveille.” and the .singing of the National Anthem. The dense crowd in Whitehall stood rigidly in silence. The only sounds were the occasional wailing of women and infant children.

Then began the pilgrimage. Many people had travelled all night long from the provinces, in the most wintry conditions, to add their tributes to the huge banks of flowers at the base of the cenotaph. Simultaneously a solemn service was held in Westminster Abbev and High Mass in Westminster Cathedral. The Methodist .commemoration service was held in the Central Hall. There were similar observances in all the provincial centres, and special service,- in the schools, with parades of volunteer corps. Already telegrams are pouring ,in showing that an Fimpire-wide commemoration was observed.—Reuter.

A MINISTER’S STATEMENT. ' NOT PLEASED TO BE THERE. Received Nov. 12 noon BRISBANE, Nov. 12. Air. Jones, Minister for Mines, speaking at the Armistice Day conn memoration, apologised for the absence of the Premier and said that, although it was proper for the Government to be represented, he (Mr. Jones) attended as a duty. He could not say with any truthfulness that it gave him great pleasure to be there. This was because he regretted and abhorred war, with all its horrors and consequences and the eventuality of an armistice.

CELEBRATIONS IN DUBLIN. BATTLEFIELD CROSS UNVEILED REPUBLICANS GIVE NO TROUBLE. Received Nov. 12, 12.40 p.m. v LONDON, Nov. 11. Despite the previous agitation and threats of extreme Republicans, oil account of which the civic guards reinforced the police, Armistice Day was celebrated in Dublin tranquilly. The cross to be erected on a- French battlefield in commemoration of the Sixteenth Irish Division, was temporarily placed on St. Stephen’s Green and was unveiled with a simple but impressive ceremony, including two minutes’ silence, in the presence of an enormous crowd, which cheered and waved Union Jacks after the unveiling. They joined in singing “God Save the King,’ which was started by ex-service men. Many wreaths were placed on the cross. Poppies were sold readily. Two small smoke bombs exploded harmlessly among the crowd. > Maud Jonne Mcßride and another lady ,Republican were removed from the crowd by the police for their own protection. They were carving placards referring to prisoners' in gaol.— Reuter.

FRENCH OBSERVANCE. QUIET AND SUBDUED. Received Nov. 12, 12.40 p.m. PARIS, Nov. 11. Although to-day wa-s a public holiday, the absence of rejoicing characterised the Armistice Day celebrations in consequence of fhe -financial crisis, although the streets were beflagged with Allied colours. Newspapers in their articles reflect the subdued ix>pular feeling.—Reuter SOLEMNLY OBSERVED. SERVICES IN CANADA. Received Nov. 12, 2.30 p.m. OTTAWA, Nov. 11. Armistice Day was never more solemnly observed throughout Canada than it was to-day. At eleven o’clock the two minutes silence was observed from coast to coast, while in every city there was conducted some special ceremony. At Toronto the Governar-General. Lord Byng," unveiled a cenotaph. At ■ Montreal, where nine out of ten people wore poppies, impressive ceremonies were conducted. The crews of all ships in port mustered on deck for the half masting of flags and joined in the singing of Nearer My God to Thee. Throughout the country all telegraph wires, railroads and steamships ceased operation during the two minutes sill enee.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.