AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABI.E ASSOCIATION. AMERICA’S TRIBUTE. TO THE DEAD PRESIDENT. (Received this day nt 8.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 8. 11l intenso heat, which prostrated scores of soldiers and onlookers, the American nation this morning paid its last official respects to Mr Harding, when the remains were borne in solemn procession from White House to the Capitol along the same route Mr Harding traversed the day he was inaugurated as President. The casket was opened as it lav at White House to enahlo Mr Coolidge, Cabinet and Senators to view the hotly. Shortly after nine o’clock the procession started through huge masses of silent people. The coffin was borne on the same caisson which carried the Unknown Soldier, drawn by six horses and escorted by General Pershing and a cavalry escort. Flanking the caisson walked members of the Cabinet, as honorary pall-hear-ers, representing both houses of Congress. Immediately following the coffin rode Mrs Harding and relations then

followed Mr Coolidge, Mr Taft, Mr Wilson, Foreign Ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices, Foreign Ministers, Senators and members of tbe House of Representatives, State Governors, various Federal officials, veterans, military organisations, representatives of public bodies etc.

Mrs Harding, pale and bent, was assisted into a closed carriage with tbe blinds drawn. Mr Wilson looked old and grey and suffered from bis heart. As tbe procession got under way, bands played “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Nearer iny God to Thee.” It is estimated that one bundled thousand people thronged tbe route. Meanwhile a disinguished gathering waited within the Capitol, around the catafalque. (Received this day at 0.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 8.

Minute guns were fired from Pottomac fort u , through the ceremonies, while muffled drums kept time with the rumbling gun carriage. On arriving lit the Capitol, the coffin was placed on the catafalque, and an invocation delivered by Pastor Calverv of the Baptist Church, Mr Harding’s place of worship, a. male quartette from which sang “Lead Kindly Light.” The twentythird Psalm and other scriptures were then read, followed by prayers by the Congressional chaplain. The Hymn “Nearer My God to Thee” and the Benediction followed.

Mr Wilson did not participate in the service, returning home immediately the procession reached the Capitol. Mrs Harding, heavily veiled, sat," at the- casket's right, near Mr Harding’s secretary, who wept bitterly. The service lasted hut a few minutes and then the Diplomatic Corps paid their respects. The mourners ttien left the Capitol, and shortly afterwards the doors were thrown open to admit the public to view the body. Thousands nad been standing in lino since the early morning. Over two hundred persons were prostrated by the heat during the procession. During the funeral services, business was suspended nt the Stock Exchanges, and business houses throughout the Country.

Memorial services were held in al! churches simultaneously with the Washington services.

A BEQUEST

SAN FRANCISCO, August 8

The J.eland Stanford t niversity has received a. four hundred thousand dollar bequest from the estate of the late Thomas Welton Stanford of Melbourne lor study of physic phenomena.