THE EMPIRE’S HEART

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19454, 13 November 1925, Page 7

THE EMPIRE’S HEART

ARMISTICE DAY IN LONDON SOLEMN SCENES AT THE CENOTAPH WORLD-WIDE OBSERVATION MARKED BY REV^ r "Ti Armistice Day was observed, as a solemn festival in London, where reverence was the dominating feature. There were touching scenes at the Cenotaph, where thousands from city and country deposited floral tributes. Ten thousand people participated in a service at the Albert Hall and twenty thousand were unable to gain admittance. The great anniversary day was also celebrated solemnly in Allied countries, Canada, United States and Australia. By Tetecraph—Far Praia A.sn.—Copyright.

AT THE CENOTAPH CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. LONDON, Nov. 11. With the passage of the years the celebration of Armistice Day becomes ever more reverential. The day broke with torrential rain, sleet and thunder in London, and snowstorms throughout the country, but the pilgrimage to the Cenotaph in Whitehall began even before day. Sellers of Flanders poppies were early afoot. Elaborate preparations had been made by the authorities for marshalling what was expected to be a record assemblage. Fortunately the rain ceased a couple of hours before the solemn silence, when an impressive scene was witnessed at the Cenotaph. The whole of Whitehall was a solid mass of people. A few rays of sunshine pierced the gloom as the hour for silence struck. The Guards, in scarlet with grey overcoats, and Marines in white helmets, gave a touch of colour to the otherwise sombre picture. The King, in a khaki uniform, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught and other Royalties, took up positions opposite the Cenotaph, while drawn up alongside were the whole of the Cabinet and High Commissioners, with the Earl of Oxford, Mr Lloyd George, and Mr Ramsay MacDonald among those in the second row.

DONNYBROOK IN DUBLIN ONE KILLED, FIFTEEN INJURED. Received November 12, 7.10 p.m. Reuter. LONDON, Nov. 11. As the result of Armistice Day disturbances in Dublin one was killed and fifteen injured. FIFTEEN INJURED REPUBLICAN DEMONSTRATION Received Nov. 13, 1.10 a.m. (Reuter) LONDON, Nov. 12. Fifteen were injured in panics caused by the throwing of smoke bombs in lights between rival sections after Armistice Day celebrations in Dublin. ExCorporal Bates succumbed to injuries. After nightfall Republi cans demonstrated in the streets and broke the windows of the Masonic Hall. Elaborate police precautions prevented conflicts. Detectives following the procession in a car fired over the heads of the demonstrators for the purpose of clearing the streets. MEMORIAL CROSS ERECTED A SIMPLE CEREMONY. LONDON, Nov. 11. Despite the previous agitation and threats of the extreme Republicans, on account of which the civic guards reinforced the police, Armistice Day was celebrated in Dublin tranquilly. A cross, to be erected on a French battlefield in commemoration of the 16th Irish Division. was temporarily placed in St. Stephen’s Green. It was unveiled with a simple, impressive ceremony, including two minutes’ silence, in the presence of an enormous crowd, which cheered and waved Union Jacks. After the unveiling they joined in singing ‘‘God Save the King,” started by ex-service men.

The King first laid a wreath. He was followed by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and Mr Baldwin. Then Lord Birkenhead for India, Mr L. C. M. S. Amery for tlfe Dominions; and the High Commissioners laid wreaths, This had just been,completed when the silence was announced. The King and other members of the Royal Family removed their caps. The subsequent service was brief. The Last Post was sounded, succeeded by “O, God, Our Help in Ages Past,” prayers, the Benediction, reveille, and National Anthem. The dense, crowd in Whitehall stood rigidly in silence. The only sounds were the occasional wailing of women and infant children. Then began the pilgrimage. Many travelled all night long from the provinces in most wintry conditions to add their tributes to the huge bank of flowers at the base of the Cenotaph. Simultaneously a solemn service was held in Westminster Abbey, and High Mass was celebrated in Westminster Cathedral. The Methodist commemoration was held in the Central Hall. There were similar observances in all the provincial centres, and special services in the schools, with parades of corps. Already telegrams are coming in, showing the Empire-wide commemoration. THE TWO WAYS REVERENCE AND GALAS IN BRITAIN SOLEMN RELIGIOUS SERVICES Received November 12, 7.10 p.m. Reuter. LONDON, Nov. 11. Armistice night was marked by reverence instead of revelry, as heretofore, at the Albert Hall, where the Victory Ball was postponed. Ten thousand participated in a service of remembrance, and twenty thousand wore onable to got scats. Thousands stood outside in the bleak night air. On the contrary, however, leading hotels and restaurants in the West End held gala dinners and dances. At many churches and chapels throughout Britain short services of remembrance were held. SOLEMN OBSERVANCE IN CANADA IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES. OTTAWA, Nov. 11. Armistice Day was never more solemnly observed throughout Canada than it was to-day. At eleven o ’clock two minutes’ silence was observed’ from coast to coast, while every city conducted some special ceremony. At Toronto the Governor-General, Lord Byng, unveiled a cenotaph.

Many wreaths were placed on the cross, and poppies sold readily. Two small smoke bombs exploded harmlessly among the crowd. Maud Gonne Mcßride and other lady Republicans were removed from the crowd by police for their own protection. They were carrying placards dealing with prisoners in gaol.

CELEBRATIONS IN FRANCE PARIS BEFLAGGED. PARIS, Nov. 11. Although to-day was a public holiday, an absence of rejoicing characterised the 2krmistiee celebrations, in consequence of the financial crisis, although the streets were beflagged with Allied colours. Newspaper articles reflect the subdued popular feeling. MEMORIALS TO BRITISH DEAD Received November 12, 7.10 p.m PARIS, Nov. 11.’ Armistice Day was chosen for the unveiling of a tablet in the Meauxcathedral to the memory of British dead, the majority of whom rest in Prance. The memorial is one of a series already placed in the cathedrals of Paris, Amiens, Nantes. Beauvais and Rouen. BRISBANE'S OBSERVANCE STATEMENT BY A MINISTER. BRISBANE, Nov. 12. Mr Jones, Minister of Mines, speaking at the Armistice Day commemoration, apologised for the absence of the Premier, and said that although it was proper for the Government to be represented, he (Mr Jones) attended as a duty. He could not say with any truthfulness that it gave him great pleasure to be there. This was because he regretted and abhorred war with all its horrors and consequences and the eventuality of an armistice.

At Montreal where nine out of ten people wore poppies, impressive ceremonies were conducted. The crews of all the ships in port mustered on deck for the half-masting of flags and joined in singing “Nearer, My God, To Thee.”

Throughout the country all telegraph wires, railroads and steamships ceased during the two minutes.