THE LAST RITES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22398, 20 October 1934, Page 13

THE LAST RITES

BURIAL OF KING ALEXANDER INTENSELY MOVING SCENE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BELGRADE, October 18, 1 The funeral procession traversed the street without the slightest hitch or incident through enormous crowds who had been waiting all night. An impressively simple service was held at the cathedral, at which King Peter, dressed in Scout’s uniform, sat on the black-draped throne, his legs dangling, and his face pale and serious. His mother, Prince Paul, and other royalties were close behind. Soldiers drew the coffin on a guncarriage preceded by a simple wooden cross, King Peter and his mother following, while French, Czech, Rumanian, and Jugoslav aeroplanes, flying only a few feet above the houses, dipped in salute.

As the coffin passed through the crowds there were shrill cries of anguish. Many men and women threw themselves on their knees and bowed their heads to the ground. . „ - On arrival at the station all the troops marched past the coffin, while King Peter, his. mother, and the Queen, of Rumania stood alongside. Guards’ officers carried the coffin to the waiting, room, where King Carol, the Duke of Kent, Prince Cyril of Bulgaria, and the Duke of Spoleto saluted it. It was then placed on a railway coach, draped in black, with two white crosses. The royalties and the chiefs of the foreign delegations entered the next coach, and the train slowly moved off. The engine was draped entirely in black, with an inscription on the front of King Alexander’s lost words: “ Guard Jugoslavia.” Amid intensely moving scenes the peasant winners of the Jugoslavian 'Victoria Cross bore King Alexander’s coffin to the marble church at Topola. Queen Marie and King Peter led the mourners in the procession, and showed splendid fortitude until the coffin was being lowered into the grave. They then broke down, and, with others, were unable to restrain their emotions. The Duke of Kent made an effort to comfort Princess Marina. King Alexander’s servants ana retainers ■ beat their breasts wailed until the crypt echoed with their cries. Queen Marie collapsed, and was supported from the church by Prince Paul. LONDON MEMORIAL SERVICE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 18. Flags wete flown at half-mast over public and private buildings in London, to-day on the occasion of the funeral of King Alexander at Belgrade, A memorial service was held in London, at which the King was represented by the Prince of Wales. The Foreign Secretary and several other Ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps were present. PHOTOGRAPHER’S EXPERIENCE LONDON, October 18. (Received Oct. 19, at 5.5 p.m.) There was a curious incident at tn» memorial service to King Alexander in the Russian Church in Buckingham Palace road. While the dirge for the dead was being cung a photographer pointed a black-barrelled camera at the Prince of Wales, who was the central figure among the mourners. The church officials, fearing it was a pistol, hurriedly rushed forward and swung tns offending photographer round and ■ hustled him out of the church. TWO ARRESTS IN TURIN TURIN, October 18. Dr Amte PeVelitch was arrested at the request of the Paris ..police. :He is alleged to be the leader of the assassination plot. Eugen Kawtemitch, believed to bo identical with Kraemer, was also arrested. TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS BUDAPEST, October 19. (Received Oct. 19, at 10.30 p.m.j It is understood that the Jugoslavian Government has formally made representations to the Hungarian Government respecting the assassination plot, it states that it is shocked by the fact that Croatian and Macedonian terrorist organisations have been allowed to exist in Hungary for so long and asks for details of their recent activities.