ROYAL VISIT TO THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3139, 18 July 1917, Page 5

ROYAL VISIT TO THE FRONT

KING GEORGE IN THE DANGER ZONE THE ARMIES OF THE EMPIRE London, July IG. Mr. Philip Gibbs further describes tho King's entry into the danger zone. "His Majesty," ho says, "tramped over the battlefields of Wytscboete and Viniy while they were still under heavy fire, a big shell bursting not far away from him. The King took risks enough—too many for the immediate happiness of the staff officers and provost marshals. The historical value of his visit lay in the wonderful wayside scones, where hundreds of thousands of the young soldiors of the Empire wore mnssecl along the' route; .and in tho continual rovelation of tho enormous strength to which our armies havo grown in man-power and material.

The King's tour covered a largo part of the country between the sea and the Somme. The King studied every branch of tho organisation and material of the armies in the field, and spent many hours in the aerodromes, among the tanks, and in the training schools and workshops, and saw the latest inventions in destructive and defensive weapons. During an interchange of visits with General Potain, the King decorated some of the most gallant officei'6 of France. Meanwhile tho Queen was touring in other town 6, and met tho King now and then on special occasions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.