AMERICAN LEGIONARIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19765, 12 October 1927, Page 13

AMERICAN LEGIONARIES.

RECEPTION BY THE KING. FRIENDLY TALK AT PALACE. LORD MAYOR CIVES LUNCHEON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copy right. (British Official Wireless.) A. and N.SS. BUG BY, Oct. 10. In the Throne Boom at Buckingham Palace this morning King George and Queen Mary received and shook hands individually with 250 members of the delegation of National Commanders of the American Legion. The American Ambassador, Mr. Alanson B. Houghton, was present and the guests were introduced by the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, the Earl of Cromer. The members of the Legion were much impressed by the friendly and simple character of Thsir Majesties' welcome. They were afterwards entertained to luncheon at the Guildhall by the Lord Mayor, Sir Rowland Blades, M.P., and the Corporation of the City of London. The distinguished guests included the Foreign Secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain, the Secretary for War, Sir Laming Worthington-Evans, and Air ViceMarshal Sir Sefton Brancker. In proposing the toast of the Legionaries the Lord Mayor said he trusted that their visit to France would have been interesting, in that it revived fragrant memories of brilliant work done in the war. and useful in that it was a step toward the maintenance of peace, which was an essential factor in the existence of every nation.

In responding on behalf of the Legion the National Commander, Mr. Howard Savage, said he believed the "cordial relations between the two great Englishspeaking nations would be knit even more firmly. The Legionaries would do their utmost to cement good relations between the two countries. According to a Press Association message the members of the Legion referred to their handclasp and their conversation with the King and the Queen in Buckingham Palace as being " the kick of our lives." The entire company was amazed to find the King " just a human being." Four quaint impressions gathered were: " He is just a human, likeahk gentleman." "It is a revelation to us fellows that a human being sits on a throne." "It is amazing that a King could be so democratic as to talk to us." "We never thought we could feel at home in a Royal Palace, but King George did it." Their Majesties were particularly sympathetic to a blind Legionary, a lieutenant from Pennsylvania, who was blinded in the last week of the war. The lieutenant later said: " I could see nothing, but I could fee! the sympathy of King and Queen flow right' through me. None of our fellows will ever forget what a great man the King is."