VAST CROWDS IN LONDON

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24898, 11 June 1946, Page 5

VAST CROWDS IN LONDON

TRAFFIC JAM LASTS TWO HOURS (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 10. Crowds in central London last night again created a vast jam between Westminster, Victoria Embankment, and Charing Cross. While thousands attempted to reach the Embankment to watch the water display, thousands more decided to go home to avoid the rain. The two moving masses met, joined, locked, and became an immobile tangle in which the police were helpless. The position did not became normal until nearly midnight—two hours after the first signs of the crush developing. The Thames displays of flood-light-ing and fireworks have been so popular that they will be continued for a week, with the barges from which the displays are controlled moving to different parts of the river. Their Majesties, the Princesses, Queen Mary, the Princess Royal, and the Earl and Countess of Athlone yesterday attended the morning service at Westminster Abbey, which was less than half full when they arrived, but it rapidly filled up as the news spread. The prayers included thanks to God for victory and for the loyalty and devotion of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Meantime a crowd of thousands assembled outside and cheered when the Royal party left. Crowds again poured into London yesterday. They held up a car in which Their Majesties and the Princesses were going to Windsor Castle for a holiday until the police cleared the way.