THE LATE PRESIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15310, 10 August 1923, Page 5

THE LATE PRESIDENT.

FUNERAL CEREMONY.

ALL AMERICA MOURNING.

IMPRESSIVE SCENES.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assri

(Received August 10, 10.30 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, August 8

In intense heat, which prostrated scores of soldiers and onlookers, the Afherican nation this morriing paid the last official respects to the late President Harding, when the remains were bdriie in solemn procession from White House to the Capitol, along tho same route as Mr Harding traversed on the day he was inaugurated as President.

The casket was opened as it lay at White House to enable the new President (Mr Coolidge), the members of the Cabinet, and senators to view the body. Shortly after nine o'clock the procession started through huge masses of silent people. The coffin was borne oh the same caisson which carried the unknown soldier, and was drawn by six horses escorted by General Pershing and a cavalry escort.

Flanking the caisson walked the members of the Cabinet, the pallbearers representing both Houses of Congress. Immediately following the coffin rode Mrs Harding, and the relatives. Then followed President Coolidge, Mr W. Taft (Chief Justice), Mr W. Wilson, foreign Ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, foreign Ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, State Governors, various federal officials, veteran military organisations, representatives of public bodies, etc. Mrs Harding, pale and bent, was assisted into a closed carriage with the blinds down.

Mr W. Wilson looked old and suffered from the heat.

As the procession got under way the bands played '' Onward, Christian Soldiers," " Rook of Ages," and " Nearer My God to Thee." It is estimated that 100,000 people thronged the route, and meanwhile a distinguished gathering waited without the Capitol and the Catafalque* Minute guns were fired from the Potomac forts throughout the ceremonies, while muffled, drums kept time with the rumbling gun carriage. On arriving at the Gapitol the coffin was placed on the catafalque. The invocation was delivered bV Pastor Calvary, Of the Baptist Church, Mi- Harding's place of worship, a male quartette from Which sang " Lead, Kindly Light." The twenty-third Psalm arid other scriptures were then read, followed by prayers by congressional chaplains, the hymn " Nearer My God to Thee," and the Benediction.

Mr Wilson did hot participate in the service, returning borne immediately the procession reached the Capitol; Mrs Harding, who was heavily veiled, sat at the Casket's right, near Mr Harding's secretary, who wept bitterly. The service lasted but a" few minutes, and then the diplomatic corps paid their respects, and the mourners then left the Capitol. Shortly afterwards, the. doors were thrown open to admit the public to view the body. Thousands had been standing in line since early morning. Over 200 persons were prostrated by the heat during the procession. "During tho funeral services business was suspended at all Stock Exchanges and business houses throughout the country.

Memorial services were held in all churches simultaneously with the funeral.

COIYIMEIVIORAfItfE SE:RViCEB, R.S.A. CO-OPERATING.

By Telegraph.—Press -vssneiation WELLINGTON, Friday.

Mr Mays, the Head Of the American Legion oi Veteran's in New Zealand, received a message from the Legion in United States of America stating that all posts are expected to hold a service in memory of the late President Harding. The Returned Soldiers' Association is co-operating, and the Weliing-ton branch is arranging a service on August 20. Mr Mays ; on behalf of his comrades, lias expressed appreciation for this kindly action.