Goodwill Mission of Highest Order

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 5

Goodwill Mission of Highest Order

Canada Welcomes Royal Visit to Clear Her Good Name Republican Anti-Royal Feeling in U.S.A. Dies Hard UNPRECEDENTED PROTECTIVE MEASURES United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Friday, 5.50 p.m. MONTREAL, May 11. The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press who is covering the Royal tour says their Majesties will arrive at Quebec on Monday for the start of the tour, which is regarded in Canada and the United States as a diplomatic mission of the highest order. The tense international situation has lent greater significance to it than when the tour was planned, particularly in American eyes. It is felt that Great Britain is sending her highest ambassadors to gauge the loyalty of one country and the goodwill of another. It is an open secret that the Canadian Government has been disturbed in recent years by the attitude of the minority population of foreign stock and also by the impression abroad that Canada is leaning towards America rather than towards Britain. The Royal visit will permit the great mass of the people to express their loyalty to the Empire.

Their Majesties face one of the most strenuous programmes ever undertaken by Royalty. During the month they will travel 6000 miles. At 52 Canadian cities and towns extensive and elaborate plans for their reception are nearing completion. Their Majesties will encounter two main sections in the United States. The first is the Republican Democrats with their traditional feeling against Royalty. The second great body feels that British and American ideals and interests are closely paralleled, and since the visit of King Edward VII in IS6O as Prince of Wales have had a warm regard for persons of the British Royal Family. The last Royal visit, that of the Duke of Windsor as Prince of Wales, in 1924, greatly contributed to this feeling of warm regard. There has been criticism of the present visit, but the Republican attitude is chiefly good natured. A few feel strongly about history, one being Congressman Martin Sweeney who recommended that the Royal entertainment include the lighting of bonfires on Capitol Hill and in White House grounds “lest Their ( Majesties forget 1814 when the British burned the Capitol and White House. ’» The isolationist press has been warning that 4 ‘they are coming here to sell us the idea that their troubles are our troubles. 1 * The tono of critical newspapers has changed noticeably during the past week. Even Hearst's New York Daily Mirror stated editorially: “Americans Lave grown to like King George and his Queen. Most of us feel they aro two of the most honest and most straightforward people in a high place to-day.” British people resident in the United States are confident that the King's quiet dignity and the (Queen's warm personality, and the unassuming simplicity of both will win American hearts. Evidencing his desire to conform to democratic practices the King will break a precedent by receiving the press once in Canada and once in the United States. Most elaborate safety precautions are to be taken by the Canadian And American authorities in cooperation with the Scotland Yard officers who arrived some time ago. Their Majesties will travel on the same train throughout the tour of • both countries. It has been fitted bullet-proof windows. The train will average only 3o miles an hour and all the travelling will be done in daylight. Alter nightfall it will be switched on to a loop. Barriers have been erected at all bridges and viaducts will be guarded. The train staff ho 3 undergone rigorous health testa, being kept in virtual quarantine. Ten thousand ex-servicemen will supplement the Mountics and local police at the three main Canadian cities along the procession routes. Persons will not be allowed above the third floor in the commercial buildings. The throwing of flowers has been tabooed in the United States. For the first time in history Army and Navy marines will be called on to supplement the secret service G men and the Stare and municipal police. At Washington 11,000 troops will line the route from the station to White House. Contrary to precedent they will face the crowd. Selected groups will carry loaded rifles with instructions to watch the movements of all in sight. Their Majesties will travel in an open car wita bullet-proof windscreens all round. At least two secret service officers will travel on the runningboards of the car. Twenty Federal agents will lonn a personal guard throughout the vi3it.

EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA SLOWED DOWN BY FOG THE ROYAL PROGRESS Received Friday, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, May 12. Fog brought tho Empress of Australia to a standstill for over 17 hours, but did not interfere with the ship's normal routine. The Queen, wearing a yellow woolly coat and a lawn felt hat, visited the ship's shop and bought sailor dolls for tho Princesses. Afterwards she walked the deck with the King, who was smoking his pipe. TSeir Majesties attended the ship's cinema after dinner. At midnight, the ship's time, the Empress of Australia was 300 miles south-eastward of Cape Race. It was earlier repoTted that the Empress of Australia had encountered heavy fog, and was making a maximum of 10 .knots an hour during good patches. She was frequently hove to.

.Similar precautions will be taken by tho New York police for the ride up Broadwav.