LATE PRESIDENT HARDING

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1923, Page 2

LATE PRESIDENT HARDING

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. POLITICAL SITUATION. NEW YORK, Aug. 5. There is general surprise, in view of the doctors stating the late President t had various ailments, that he was allowed to make his recent tours. Tho doctors state the President Harding for years suffered from arterial scelerosis, enlarged heart, defective kidneys, with frequent acute gastric and intestinal troubles.

Mr Coolidge- has arrived at Washington to assume his duties. He has proclaimed August 10th as a day of national mourning.

Bros ident Harding’s death will indirectly affect the Republican control of the Senate, because Mr Coolidge’s elevation means to the Administration N the loss of a deciding vote. The present Republican majority, oven with insurgents like Senators La Follette, Norris, and Brookhart voting with the Republicans, totals only six, hence the loss of one vote will be a sharp inroad in party control. «

Mr (joinpet's summoned 33 Labour leaders, who issued a joint declaration, which concludes: "Me proffer the new President our wholehearted consideration and co-operation in all that goes to the upbuilding of the country and the welfare of the people. Me woloome the man who comes to tuke up the fallen mantle. M’c how in griot and reverence before the bier of our fallen President. Me offer our services, thought s and strength to our Government under him who is now called to assume a commanding post of duty and service.” This declaration was deemed especially conciliatory, because Labour generally deplores Mr •Coolidge’s use ot troops in the 1919 police strike, which marked this political emergency.

All the financial houses and many business firms closed in respect to the late President.

Washington is deluged by messages v of sympathy from European Powers, including King George and the Prince of M'ales. The British Consul at San Francisco was the first to convey foreign regret.

REM ARK ABLE DEMONSTRATIONS

NEM’ YORK. A tig. 5

M'liile the Harding funeral train was crossing the halfway mark on tho trans-continental journey, in every church of every creed throughout the country a special mourning service, was held, particularly by the Raptist denomination, of which President Harding was a member. AH the preachers stressed the Into President’s kindness and devotion to a task of unparalleled difficulty. All deplored the relentless regimen undor which a President must labour.

One preacher characterised Mr Harding as a martyr who was assassinated by the 21-hour working day. In the churches everywhere, tho hymns "Lead Kindly Light,” and “Abide M’iih Me,” of which Mr Harding uas specially fond, were played.

At Cheyenne, Nebraska, a remarkaide tribute vns paid President Harding. As the funeral train stopped in the city, (luring a violent electrical storm, the mute, bareheaded citizens

stood for half an hour at reverent attention, unmindful of the thunder rumblings. flashing lightning and torrential rain.