KING’S SPEECH.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 16 May 1922, Page 5

KING’S SPEECH.

PARIS, May 14. France is deeply moved by the King s noble words at Terliiigthon, especially the following quotation:— hi this fair land of France, which sustained the utmost fury of the long strife, our dead brothers an> numbered by hundreds of thousands. They he in the keeping of a tried and generous friend, a resolute chivalrous comrade in arms, who with ready, quick sympathy has set aside for ever the soil in which they sleep; so that we and our descendants may for all time reverently tend and preserve their resting places. “S have many times asked myself in the course of my pilgrimage whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through years to come than this massed multitude—these silent witnesses to the desolation of the war.” WARM TRIBUTE BY PRESS. The whole Press pays a warm tribute to the King’s speech. Many newspapers pointedly differentiate between the speech and Mr Lloyd George’s attitude towards France at Genoa, contending that Mr Lloyd George does not represent the English feeling. “Figaro” states that there issued from every sentence of the King’s speech a high emotion. Who knows but old hatreds which separated France and England lie buried in the graves of our Heroes—that even the monstrous efforts of politicians will fail to reawaken them.

“Republique Francais” states that the King’s pious pilgrimage comes opportunely to remind the exasperated French nation that Mr Lloyd George is not England. “Rappel” suggests that some kind friend should translate the King’s speech into English for the benefit of Mr Lloyd George. M. Millerand, replying to the King’s message on the eve of his departure from Boulogne, expressing the Empire’s gratitude to France for the generous gift of ground for cemeteries, hallowed by memories of common sorrows and glories, states that France will never forget the sublime sacrifice of the British soldiers who fell by the side of the French soldiers in the course of the terrible, glorious struggle against unjust'aggression. The memory of the heroes of the British Army will forever remain piously honoured in the land where they fought so magnificently together with the French nation. "The Government and I join in the homage your Majesty has just done to the glorious British and French soldiers, forever united in the gratitude and admiration of the two countries.”