BIG BEN TELLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 45, 22 January 1936, Page 7

BIG BEN TELLS

SORROW IN EUROPE. UNISON OF GRIEF. MESSAGES TO LONDON. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 21. The British United Press Geneva correspondent says that, resounding with foreboding clarity across Europe, the chimes of Big Ben at 12.15 a.m., which was 1.15 a.m. at Geneva, heralded the death bulletin from the wireless in Air S. M. Bruce’s silent hotel room with greater intensity because the streets were empty. In the damp, cold air, Air Bruce, his wife and staff stood silent. Air Bruce lias cancelled all the entertaining he intended giving the President of the League Council. A Paris message says the news spread like wildfire. Small scattered groups stood bare-headed in the streets. The King is mourned throughout the country, not only as a model constitutional monarch but as a great and very popular English gentleman. A spokesman at the Quai d’Orsay, after hearing the 9.30 p.m. bulletin, said: “It is terrible. It is a catas--troplie.” AI. Lebrun, the President, was deeply moved.

GERAIAN TRIBUTE. Herr Hitler, says a Berlin message, was immediately informed of the King’s death and dispatched condolences. The following official message was circulated:—

“The death of the King has evoked grief among'the entire German people. The four sons of the King are well known in Germany, and may be sure of our heartiest sympathy. Although his Government stood against us in the war, the German people esteemed the King as a chivalrous man who proved a notable opponent and was ready, immediately alter the war, to do his best to rebuild the broken bridges between nations.” Herr Hitler has also sent the following message to the Prince of Wales:— “The news lias deeply grieved me. I beg Your Alajesty to accept my own and my Cabinet’s sympathy and the assurance that the whole German nation mourns with me.” Herr Hitler also sent a message to the Qtieen and ordered flags to be flown half-mast.

King Victor Emanuel, of Italy, sent heartfelt condolences to Queen Mary and ordered Court mourning.

Signor .Mussolini also sent a message. The Pope expressed great sorrow. He recalled Unit the King personally told him that Roman Catholics were among his best subjects. A message from Brussels, states Le Soir, says: “Having but recently lost their beloved King, the Belgian people can appreciate better than other European nations the' feelings of the entire British race. King George, like King Albert, was the head of a family composed of all his subjects.” Vienna dispatches state that crowds gathered outside the newspaper offices waiting for news. Broadcasting stations stopped all dance music. The Emperor of Japan sent a message stating that he joins with the British people in mourning. Alv Do Valera’s organ, the Irish Press, says: “We do not know the King’s private feelings towards the Irish struggle, but we do know on the authority of General Smuts that when His Alajesty was about to open the Ulster Parliament he was so dissatisfied with the speech prepared for him by the British Cabinet that he declined to deliver it, and commissioned General Smuts to make a fresh draft. That new speech was a plea for extending the hand of friendship.” According to messages from Bermuda, Jamaica and other colonies, the announcement of the King’s death was noted by the tolling of church bells and other expressions of sorrow. Because of the King’s death the cricket match between Air F. Tarrant’s team and the Cricket Club of India has been abandoned.

THE WORLD’S TRIBUTES. EUROPE AND EMPIRE. RESPECT AND SORROW. Received January 22. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 21. The Berlin Press pays a tribute to King George as the most satisfactory Monarch Britain has ever had. Baron Von Neurath has been appointed the head of the German delegation for the funeral. From Doom the ex-Kaiser sent a message to Queen Mary: “I am deeply affected by your tragic loss and beg you to accept the warmest sympathy' of Princess Hermione, myself, and all the members of my house.” At Rome the nags on all public buildings are lowered at half-mast. The only worry in Italian minds is whether the new King will inspire a stiffening of the British attitude to sanctions. Copenhagen reports that King Christian will attend the funeral. Black-bordered Hungarian newspapers pay tribute to King George as one of the noblest and best-beloved characters of all time. His death is a sad loss to the whole of mankind. His Majesty was a true father to 450,000,000, yet withal a model simple English gentleman. Similar tributes come from Prague, Belgrade, Athens, Madrid, and Vienna, where prof omul, sympathy is expressed. King Fuad of Egypt has ordered 1 three days’ Court mourning. King Fuad cabled King Edward: I have no doubt that under Tour Majesty’s aegis ■ the lasting friendship uniting us will consolidate itself. INDIAN SORROW’. The long-drawn, wailing cry, ‘‘God is great,” summoned Mohammedans throughout India to special prayers for King George. It is obligatory for all Mohammedans to attend. Most of tlie offices and factories are closed. Mr Gandhi sent his respectful condolences from his sickbed. The President of the Indian National Congress paid a tribute to King George as tlie binding force of the Empire, whose interest in the welfare of his subjects was deep and sincere. The Japanese Emperor has cabled to Queen Mary profound sympathy. The newspapers stress Japan’s sympathy with tlie British people. The Chinese authorities received the news with deep sorrow. BELGIUM REMEMBERS. Belgian newspapers publish full page accounts of King George’s life, recalling King Albert’s words: “Belgium will never forget Britain’s aid.” King Leopold will probably attend the funeral. Capetown reports that 'Wednesday has been proclaimed a day of mourning and Chambers of Commerce have requested tlie closing of all businesses. Sympathetic messages have been transmitted from. all towns and native chiefs. General Smuts said: Nothing can fill the gap which King George’s going has made. The Sw.edish Crown Prince and

Princess, attended by one of the younger Princes, will attend the funeral.

Dublin reports that political differences have been forgotten and there is profound grief. Mr De Valera’s paper, the Irish Press, publishes for the first time since it was established a portrait of King George and pays high tribute to his character. Geneva reports that Mr Eden and Mr Bruce are expected to return on Thursday evening. The French Cabinet is proclaiming thirty days’ national mourning. Parliament adjourned this afternoon after hearing the message from M. Le Brun: “The French people join in the sorrow of the British people. Their great Sovereign bore at the highest level the qualities of loyalty and consistency, which qualities in” England and France were put to the test of the hardest reality during the war. In your name 1 have expressed to the Speaker of the House of Commons the part we take in the national •mourning, which is also ours.” The Courts of Sweden and Denmark will go into mourning for three weeks. The Norwegian Court will observe two months’ mourning and the Greek Court three weeks’ mourning. ITALIAN TRIBUTES. • Tlie Italian Court will observe fifteen days’ mourning. Tlie Italian broadcasting stations will cease their usual • programmes at 8 p.m. to-night, broadcasting commemorations of King George in Italian and English. The Pope has telegraphed his condolences to King Edward and requested Requiem Masses in memory of the late King. M. Kalinin has telegraphed Russia’s condolences to Queen Mary.

(Continued on page 8.)