INDIAN TROOPS.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13591, 5 October 1914, Page 5

INDIAN TROOPS.

LANDED AT MARSEILLES

A STIRRING WELCOME

MESSAGES FROM KING GEORGE

Paris, Oct. %

The first "contingent of Indian troops has landed at Marseilles. They had an enthusiastic welcome.;.. The physique of the white. Indian troops impresses! the spectators. .

There were stirring scenes when the Indian and British troops marched to their camping grounds.

The streets and roads were crammed with excited spectators, crying "Vivent les Hindous!" and struggling to shake hands with them. Women presented cigarettes and fruit, and girls strewed flowers and pinned them on tunics and turbans. .

The enthusiasm reached fever heat when the Gurkhas struck up "The Marseillaise" on their-weird instruments.

Many of the yoxinger natives- leapt three feet in the air, waving the Union Jack and the Tricolour.

The King issued two messages to the troops landing at Marseilles. The first was to the British troops, as follows:— "I have implicit confidence in you, my soldiers. Duty is your watchword, and I know that your duty will be nobly done."

The second message to the Indians read:—-"I know with what readiness my brave and loyal Indian soldiers are prepared to fulfil their~ sacred trust on the field of battle, shoulder to shoulder with their comrades from all parts of the Empire. I bid you to go forward

. cable"- news :•■"

[PREfiS ASSOOIATION-^-Cot-rBIGHT.]

and add fresh lustre to- the glorious achievements and noble traditions of courage and chivalry of my Indian Army, whose honour and fame are in your, hands."