UNION JACK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 June 1932, Page 5

UNION JACK

AND EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS NO BRITISH FLAG AMONGST THOUSANDS FLYING (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 20th June,. 8.45 a.m.} LONDON, 19th June. Although there are probably more visitors to Dublin from Britain than from aiiy oilier country for the Eucharistic Congress, correspondents say that not a single Union Jack is to be seen in the city. The Irish Republican Army demanded one hoisted at Sherborne, one of Dublin's most exclusive hotels, to be hauled down. Half a dozen flags of other nations were flying there, and the manager protested that many residents were English, and lie was entitled to honour them. The demand was reiterated and, fearing reprisals, the manager had to comply. Tile word of the Republican Army, which is still illegal under the unrepealed Cosgrave Act, lias become an unwritten law. The “Irish Times” comments bitterly: “Archbishop Bourne will look in vain for the flag of his country among the thousands flying at Dublin.” The Governor-General has given assent to a special act enforcing a legal holiday for the period of the Congress, which begins to-day with general communion throughout Ireland and prayers for the success of the gathering. Huge camps for Irish pilgrims in the neighbourhood of Dublin are rapidly filling.

AMAZING SCENE CARDINAL LAURI IN LONDON EMOTIONAL TURMOIL (Received 20th June, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, 19th June. Landing at Folkestone amid the cheers of a crowd, Cardinal Lauri, Papal delegate at the Eucharistic Congress, was the centre of an amazing display of religious enthusiasm when the special train reached London. A priest, mounted on a chair, led the singing of a concourse representing every station of life. Priests, nuns, silk-hatted men, stylish women, and drab suburbanites swarmed the platform, crowded the roadway, and clustered about the bridge and steps. Cardinal Lauri, white headed, bespectacled, and arrayed in a red cassock and black robe, smiled from a window. Men, women, and children fell on their knees on the platform to receive a blessing. Sudden emotional turmoil gripped the throng. Men and women fought to kiss the cardinal’s ring. Others threw themselves or: the platform and pressed their lips to the hem of his garment. The crowd surged forward as remoter spectators struggled to approach. Girls and women cried and laughed. Men shouted and wept uncontrollably. The police priestly bodyguard was compelled to exert its utmost efforts to prevent the cardinal being crushed. As he was led back to his compartment the cardinal, smiling with joy, continued blessiii" all in sight. The supreme efforts of the police and railway staff stopped people jumping on the line l and following the receding train.