PRINCE OF WALES ON TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1931, Page 6

PRINCE OF WALES ON TOUR

RUMOUR CAUSES GRAVE ALARM DERAILMENT OF A TRAIN. London, Jan. 18. x The nation had a great scare this morning when' it was reported from France that the Prince of Wales had been involved in a railway accident. A certain amount of relief was felt early this afternoon when it was further announced that the train had not been damaged and that the Prince was not injured. As a matter of fact, it was all a. scare, due to the understandable anxiety of certain French railway officials. It was not the Prince's train at all which was involved, but another on the same route.

The Prince had left Paris in continuation of his journey to South America, where his chief engagement is to open the Buenos Aires Exhibition. He took train for Santander, where he was to join the liner Oropesa. When the Prince’s train was nearing Bordeaux, another train, between it and the city, was derailed. The Prince’s train was held up several hours, and it was this delay which caused so much anxiety at Bordeaux and started the reports which created anxiety in England.

Then a further scare started. It was rumoured that the derailment was the result of an act of sabotage. An investigation by engineers on the spot showed that this report was baseless, and an official statement was issued to the effect that the train left the line purely by accident. Citizens of the towns along the 185 miles drive from the Spanish frontier competed in extending courtesy and warm welcome io His Royal Highness. The Spanish Press admires the practical spirit shown by the Prince in mastering Spanish. He has a gramophone and records of Spanish lessons on board the Oropesa.