VISIT OF KING AND QUEEN

Southland Times, Issue 23816, 13 May 1939, Page 7

VISIT OF KING AND QUEEN

ARRIVAL AT QUEBEC ON' MONDAY

GAUGING LOYALTY OF CANADA

GOOD-NATURED FEELING IN UNITED STATES

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received May 12, 8.50 p.m.) MONTREAL, May 11. The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press who is covering the Royal tour, says that the King and Queen 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 it greater significance than when it was planned, particularly in American eyes. It is felt that 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 a minority of the population of foreign stock and also by the impression abroad that Canada is leaning towards America rather than Britain. The Royal visit will permit the great mass of the people to express their loyalty to the Empire.

The King and Queen 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. The King and Queen will encounter two main sections in the United States, first, the republican democrats, with a traditional feeling against Royalty and, second, the great body, which feels that British and American ideals and interests are closely parallel and, since .the visit of Edward VII in 1860, as Prince of Wales, has 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. CRITICISM OF VISIT There has been criticism of the present visit, but the republican attitude is chiefly good riatured. Few feel strongly about history, one being a Congressman, Mr Martin Sweeney, who recommended that the Royal entertainment should include the lighting of bonfires on the Capitol Hill ana in the White House grounds, “lest their Majesties forget 1814, when the British burned the Capitol and the White House.” The isolationist Press has been giving a warning that “they are coming here to sell us the idea that their troubles are our troubles.” The tone of the critical newspapers has changed noticeably during the past week. Even one of Mr William Randolph Hearst’s newspapers, The New York Daily Mirror, stated editorially: “Americans have grown to like King George and his Queen. Most of us feel that they are the two most honest and most straightforward people in high place today.” British people living 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. Showing his desire to conform to democratic practices, the King will break precedent by receiving the Press once in Canada and once in the United States.

Most elaborate safety precautions are being taken by the Canadian and American authorities in co-operation with Scotland Yard officers who arrived some time ago. The King and Queen will travel on the same train throughout the tour of both countries. It has been fitted with bullet-proof windows. The train will average only 30 miles an hour and all travelling will be done in daylight. After nightfall it will be switched on to a loop. Barriers have been erected at all bridges and viaducts will be guarded. The train staff has undergone rigorous health tests, being kept in virtual quarantine. PRECAUTIONS IN CITIES

Ten thousand ex-servicemen will supplement the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the local police at three main Canadian cities. Along the procession routes persons will not be allowed above the third floor in commercial buildings. The throwing of flowers has been tabooed in the United States. The Army, Navy and Marines will be called on to supplement the Secret Service, G-Men and the State Municipal police. At Washington 11,000 troops will line the route from the station to the 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. The King and Queen will travel in an open car with bullet-proof windscreens all round. At least two Secret Service officers will travel on the runningboards of the car. Twenty Federal agents will form a personal guard throughout the visit. Similar precautions are to be taken by the New York police for a ride up Broadway.