A PEACEFUL PASSING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22054, 9 September 1933, Page 10

A PEACEFUL PASSING

LATE VISCOUNT GREY REMAINS TO BE CREMATED (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, September 7. Lord Grey was unconscious for 70 hours. He died peacefully in the presence of his sister (Mrs Decoct Logan) and her daughter, who nursed him devotedly for 12 days and nights/ His remains will be cremated at Darlington West on September 9. t The King sent a message of sympathy. SERVICE AT THE ABBEY. (British Official Wifeless) RUGBY, September 7. There will be a memorial service at Westminster Abbey on Monday for Lord Grey. Tributes to the late statesman have been paid by all the leading politicians and the evening papers, irrespective of party, and in many quarters abroad. Some noteworthy tributes came from Mr Arthur Henderson, Mr Lloyd George, and Lord Ullswatcr. The last-named (an ex-Spoaker of the House of Commons) said: “The speech that he made on the eve of the declaration, of war was the most moving that I ever heard in the House of Commons.” The Government received the following message from the Belgian Government :—“ The news of the death of Lord Grey, just received in Belgium, has caused deep emotion. The country remembers the important part played by this eminent statesman when its territory was violated in 1914. The whole nation faithfully preserves his memory and joins in the mourning of the English people.” The French Ambassador sent the following message:—“ The French Government has heard with deep emotion the news of the death of Lord Grey. Faithful to the memory of the great statesman, who worked so hard for French and British friendship and for peace, my Government asks me to convey to the British Government its deep sympathy and sorrow, which it shares with the British nation.” The text of the King’s message to Lord Grey’s sister is:—“l am greatly moved at the news of the death of my old friend, Lord Grey, He will ever be gratefully remembered for his devoted service to his country through three successive reigns, and in those eventful years he proved himself not only a distinguished statesman, but a great Englishman. The Queen and I assure you and your family of our heartfelt sympathy.” VISCOUNTY NOW EXTINCT. LONDON, September S. (Received Sept. 8, at 9 p.m.) The Grey viscounty is now extinct. The baronetcy goes to Dr Charles Grey, a medical officer in the Nigerian service. FRENCH PRESS TRIBUTE. PARIS, September 7. (Received Sept. 8, at D p.m.) Leading statesmen and newspapers are unanimous in deploring the passing of a peace-loving leader with the instincts of an English gentleman. Le Temps recalls Viscount Grey’s speech in April, 1933, and says: “It was the beginning of a change in British opinion in the face of the Nazi menace. By this grave warning Viscount Grey rendered a supremo service to his country and humanity.” LIFELONG WORK FOR PEACE. ROME, September 7. (Received Sept. 8, at' 9 p.m.) Newspapers.emphasise Viscount Greys lifelong work for the maintenance of peace and pay tribute to his consummate tact in dealing with the United States when that country was neutral. BRITISH PRESS REFERENCES. LONDON, September 8. (Received Sept. 8, at 10 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph says: “Viscount Grey’s constant and supreme object was the maintenance of pence. .Failure to prevent war lay not with London but with Berlin.” , , The Daily Herald says: ‘ In the long list of British statesmen there is probably no nobler character than Viscount Grey, yet there are few who, despite his rectitude of character and sincerity of purpose, so helped to prepare for disaster. Believing that he was working for peace, justice, and freedom he led himself and England into mazes of diplomatic intrigue and conflicting creeds of the ‘balance’of power,’ and when the full consequences came he could not withdraw. His debt of honour had to be paid with one million lives. Let us not forget.” GERMAN PRESS REFERENCES. BERLIN, September 7. (Received Sept. 8, at 9 p.m.)_ _ The Borsen Zcitung says: “Britain, France and America vainly fought the Prussian spirit. Viscount , Grey has taken to the grave the knowledge that the Prussian spirit is immortal.” The Deutsche Allegcmcine Zeitung savs; “Viscount Grey did not seek war. but did not strive to avoid it because he saw a favourable chance of overpowering the dangerous German rival.”