QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1925, Page 2

QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

PASSES PEACEFULLY AWAY

Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, November 20

The lirst intimation of Queen Alexandra’s illness was the issue of a bulletin at Sandringham at 3.30 and it was Hashed by news agencies an hour later, reading " Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra, who for some time had been in failing health, suffered a •severe heart attack this morning. Her Majesty’s condition is critical. (Signed) William Hordern” LONDON. November 20.

A bulletin issued at Sandringham at 11.30 said there was no change in Queen Alexandra’s condition to justify a further bulletin till the evening. The symptoms were of the gravest, with only the most slender hope of any considerable rally, 'flic King’s shooting guests farowelled His Majesty and left Sandringham. A bulletin issued at 5.20 stated "Queen Alexandra is sinking rapidly. A bulletin at 5.40 stated—“ Queen Alexandra passed away peacefully at 5.20. The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family were present.” LONDON, November 20. Their Majesties spent most of Die morning at Samlingham whither Queen Mnltd of Norway hurried at one in the afternoon, in response to a summons that Queen Alexandra had a further heart attack. It is understood oxygen treatment was freely resorted to in „ r der to mitigate her suffering. The Prince of Wales visited Sandringham during the afternoon. 1 tiblic anxiety was evidenced by the constant stream „|' callers at Marlborough House, asking for news of the Queen Mother. THE LAST HOURS. LONDON, November 20. After several hours spent in coma nt one o’clock, Queen Alexandra rallied. and smiled in recognition of those about her, but she immediately relapsed into unconsciousness, in which she died.

!>]>|NUK> INFORMED AT RAILWAY STATION. LONDON, November 21. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, reached a dim.ly lighted railway station sixteen minutes behind schedule time. This was perhaps the ino-t poignant tragedy in the tragic Jay. as four minutes before their arrival Queen Alexandra died. The news was telephoned io the Stationmastei. who informed the Queen’s grandsons •m their a rival. The Prim es Imwe.L I heir heads, and then entered a waitcar in complete silence and drove ■ lowly away.

GREAT BELL TOLLED. LONDON. November 21

The Home Secretary (Sir AY. Joyn--oii Hicks) sent a message to the Lord .Mayor: " It is my painful duty to inform Your Lordship of the death of Queen Alexandra. 1 have to request that Your Lordship will give instructions i'ol* Iho tolling of Ihe great hell in St. Paul’s.

The Great Roll ol St. Paul's, which is only lolled on the death ol royalty. was tolled for an hour, tor the first time since the death ol King Edward VII.

Though most of the evening papers in London ami the provinces rushed out special editions, most, of the residents of the British Isles learned the news of Queen Alexandra’s death by wireless. All stations at seven o’clock made the solemn announcement, alter which they dosed down for forty minutes. Then a hymn, a prayer and "The Dead March” were broadcasted. the rest of the evening’s programme being cancelled. The news of the Queen Mother’s death spread rapidly, the newspapers hurrying out editions containing long biographical notices, sketches and photographs ot Queen Alexandra in various stages of her long life.

LONDON’S CONDOLENCE. LONDON, November 21

The King sent a message to the Lord Mayor of London as follows: “ I regret t„ inform you that my beloved mother. Queen Alexandra, passed away peacefully at 5.25 this afternoon.”

The Lord Mayor aflixed the telegram to the wall of the Mansion House, where it was read in silence bv thousands of passers-by. The Lord Mayor telegraphed the King as follows: -‘On behalf of the citizens of London. 1 beg Your Majesty to accept our profound sympathy and condolence at the death of your illustrious mother. Her Majesty has been loved deeply and revered from her marriage sixiy-two years ago until now. Her passing not only removes a much-respected and universally popular personality, hut severs a link with the past which is deplored.” The Prince of Wales in a letter to the Lord Mayor says: “1 want to say how f regret the sad circumstances which prevented me accepting your hospitality to-day. 1 fear that the cancellation of the entertainment put your Corporation to great inconvenience and expense. However. 1 know you realise how unsuitable it would have been to have carried out our programme.” As the result of the cancellation, a whole flood nt flowers has been distiilmted amongst the hospitals. A EM I END OK THE PEOPLE. LONDON. November 21. Evert -hade of political opinion has hecu brought to unanimity by Queen Alexandra’s death, as i- typified in their messages. Mr Ramsay MacDonald said: "The whole country will he sorrowful at the death of the Queen Mother, who had been so long with us and who was so intimately concerned with our national life that every household felt an intimate kinship with her because of her good, kindly deeds, and the human appeal which she made to all in the unusual. impersonal way she entered into relations with her people.” The deep-seated regard of the public for Queen Alexandra has been revealed not only in the buying up of newspaper editions, but in a constant stream of caller- at Marlborough Hon so. Among callers of note were those who had added to the glory of the Edwardian era in the realm of politics, drama, art and literature. When the afternoon deepened into twilight, a great crowd of distinguished people awaited an cx)>eeted bulletin at 11.30. instead of an hour earlier. An official came from Marlborough House in tears, and announced: “Our lady is dead.” He was succeeded by another with a white paper, from which he read, in a broken voice, an official announcement of death.

The first visitor to Marlborough House to receive the news was the Japanese Ambassador, who came to inquire us to Queen Alexandra’s condition at the very moment when the teleplnmo from ./Silndvingham announced her death. The Ambassador was visibly affected. There were pathetic scenes at Marlborough House, where callers arrived to await a bulletin. Many were elderly women who knew Queen Alexandra intimately. They stood with tears streaming down their faces. PRESS EULOGIES. LONDON. Nov. 21. The “Times” says: “People all over the Empire will bo moved, many to

tears, tit the end of a reign of affection which has lasted for over sixty years. She, alone of all the consorts from abroad, was never thought of as a

foreigner.” The “Morning Post” says: “It was her happy fortune to reign in the hearts of her people, to stand aloof from politics and statecraft, and to he the friend of all nations.” The “Daily Herald” (Labour) says: “She was a good wife and mother, and was genuinely kind and thoughtful for others.” The “Wa.stmin.ster Gazette” says:--“The esteem in which her family are held in these days of tumbling crowns is a tribute to her wise and careful upbringing.” Tbe “Daily Mail” says: “The influence of such a character survives the grave and the .severance of death.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “As Florence Nightingale lives in history as the ‘Lady of the Lamp’ so Queen Alexandra may be rememltcred as the ladv with the open heart.” The “Daily News” says: “She loaves the memory of a personality so gracious and winning that it lingers in the mind even of those who only saw her pass in the street.” The “Daily Express” states: “Her spoil was lasting because she never lost her power of identifying herself with popular emotion and sentiment.” The “Daily Chronicle” says: “Sho retained about her, almost to the last an atmosphere of the fairy tale of royalty such as rarely attaches in an equal dogroo to a modern crowned head ” LONDON, Nov. 21. Many hungry men and women in the shelters on the Victoria Embankment at Whitechapel last evening enjoyed food from the cancelled Guildhall banquet.

REGRET IN her. native land. COPENHAGEN, Nov. 20. The news of the death of Queen Alexandra was received here with the deepest regret. The Danish newspapers publish long sympathetic articles. Many functions have been postponed. LATE Qi EBX’S SISTER COPENHAGEN, Nov. 20. The Dowager Empress Marie of Russia. Queen Alexandra's sister, is seriously ill at her home outside Copenhagen. which has been jointly owned bv Queen Alexandra and herself. Sho is three years the younger. CONDOLENCES. TOKTO. Nov. 21. The Japanese Court has ordered eight lays’ morning in connection with the tenth of Qucon Alexandra. M. Silicic Mara has sent, condolences to the Bvi--1 ish Ambassador. WASHINGTON, Nov. 21. President Coolidge has cabled King George an expression of sympathy on the death of the Queen Mother, as follows: “The sad intelligence of !'• ■■ death of Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra. your mother, has impressed Mrs Coolidge and me with profound sorrow. Wo desire to extend to Your Majesty, our sincere condolence and heartfelt sympathy.” LONDON, Nov. 21. The Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin, will move a vote of condolence in the House of Commons on Monday, which will he seconded by Mr Lloyd George and Mr Ramsay MacDonald. The House of Lords meets specially on Monday to record its deep sense of the country's loss.

At a dinner at the Savoy Hotel, which was given by all the Parties in the House of Commons, in honour of Mr Austin Chamberlain (Foreign Secretary) Locarno achievement. Dir T. P. O'Connor presided. Dir O’Connor said lie would ask the

gathering to toast “The King” in sili'iice. and to send their deep sympathy to Hi- .Majesty in his dark hour of bereavement, for, although he was the Sovereign of their Great Empire, they could at that moment only regard him as a child sitting at the bedside of the mother whom lie loved.

Tlie toast was given in silence, and with empty glasses. The Queen of Norway was .summoned to her mother’s liedsitle at noon, and a special message announcing tho Queen Mother's death was sent to tho Duke of Connaught, who is wintering in the south of France. PERIOD OF MOURNING, LONDON, Nov. 21. Numerous public engagements have been cancelled, including a luncheon on Nov. 25th. to Lord Forster, ex-Gover-nor-Goncral of Australia. Telegrams of condolence poured into Sandringham from all parts of tho Em pirc. Their Majesties are deeply touched at the universal and generous deptli of feeling displayed in their liereavement. It is understood that the signature of the Security Pact, which is to take place at London on the first of December. will now be purely formal. The elaborate ceremony and programme of festivities that had been arranged will be very much curtailed, and possibly abandoned.

Silent, respectful crowds gathered outside the royal palaces to-day, mostly wearing tokens of mourning. Men doffed their hats and women bowed as troops changing the guard passed with the colours draped with crepe.

Prayers will be offered in the church to-morrow for the Royal Family in their bereavement, and in thanks-giv-ing for the gracious life which has for long held the love and homage of the people.

The theatres in London opened last night in view of the • shortness of tho notice which the Lord Chamberlain was able to give the managers, hut they probably will close on the evening of the funeral. THE. FUNERAL. LONDON. Nov. 21. Strict etiquette governs royal funerals. It is centuries since the death of a royal lady, who was the consort of a dead and the mother of the reigning. monarch. It is probable that the King will order the funeral ceremonies shall bo the same as if Queen Alexandra had died during the lifetime of King Edward. despite the fact that when her son was f rowned, she relinquished her position as the first lady in the land in favour of Queen Maiy. In the absence of an official statement. there is a strong likelihood that Queen Alexandra will In? interred at Windsor. It is understood that it was the wish of Queen Alexandra that she should he quietly buried in the little churchyard at Sandringham. Though it has not been publicly announced. it will depend on the King’s own desire whether there will be a lying-in-state publicly or privately. Nevertheless there will he the full ceremonial on the iournev from Marlborough House across London and at Windsor. THE KING’S GRIEF. (Received this day at S a.m.l LONDON, November 21. The King, on arriving at Sandringham House, was bowed of figure and pale of face, his eves being heavy with grief. He paused and spoke consolingly with the gardeners sweeping the park walks. Later, with the Queen and Royal Family, the King attended a simple and touching service in the death.

chamber, after which the servants and tenants wore invited to view the bodj, which lies on a bed covered with a pale pink crepe de chine coverlet on which are a few hunches of flowers. The hands are crossed on the breast and holding a crucifix.

The body will immediately he placed in the innermost shell of three which the foreman carpenter ol Sandringham House is constructing of wood grown on the estate. The second will he leaden and the outermost oaken. ft is exported a sarcophagus enshrining King Kdward and Queen Alexandra will eventually ho erected at Windsor.

Lord Cromer visited the King and discussed the funeral. Jt is understood the coffin will he removed to Sandringham Church to-mor-row, their Majesties attending the memorial service. The coffin will rest in the church until the 2(ith, when it will be privately removed to London and taken to the Chapel Koval in St. James’ Palace.

A procession will convey the coffin to Westminster Abbey on 27th where* the first part of the funeral service will commence at 11.30. The public will he admitted in the afternoon and the coffin will he removed in the evening, without ceremony, to Windsor, where it will rest, the night at the Albeit Memorial Chapel.

A committal service will he held at 11.30 <oii .the 28th, only the Koval Family and Queen Alexandra’s household attending.

The remains will rest in the .Memorial Chapel, eventually being placed in the crypt of St. (leorge’s Chapel beside King Edward’s. Sandringham residents will watch beside tin* coffin until its removal to London and their Majesties and the Loyal Family will walk in the procession to Sandringham Station. The coffin will lie carried on a gun-carriage covered hv the Anglo-Danish colours.

Only troops will he employed to line The route from St. James’ Palace to We stmin st e r Ab I iey.

Queen Alexandra's will, in accordance with custom, will not ho published hut it is understood the King is among the executors. It has already been decided to wind up the Sandringham estates and the residents are wondering what will happen to two saered rooms at Sandringham Mouse. One, Duke Clarence's, still remains as it was when he died. 'l’he other, Prince John’s, still contains the toys he used before his death. Queen Alexandra often went to the rooms alone and stayed for hours. LONDON, November 20. An official announcement states that there will he two month’s full court mourning and one month half mourning. SYDNEY, November 23. .Sympathetic reference was made to Queen Alexandra’s death in all the churches to-day. CHRISTCHURCH. November 23. Til the city and surburhan churches yesterday reference was made to the death of Queen Alexandra. In some instances special prayers were offered FUXEKAL OBSEQUIES. LONDON, November 22. The first part of the obsequies lor Queen Alexandra was held in .Sandringham Church this morning quietly, only those intimately connected with the Koval household being allowed to he present. All the Loyalties at Sandringham attended. The Royal coffin was taken to flic Ohureh early in the morning. MEMORIAL SERVICE. LONDON, November 22. After a moving memorial service at Sandringham, at which many of the congregation were in tears, the public were allowed to file past the bier which was covered with wreaths from members of the Royal Family and Royal household and hearing affectionate inscriptions. GLOWING GERMAN TRIBUTE. (Received this day at It 25 a.m.) LONDON. Nov. 22. Among the innumerable Empire-wide and world-wide messages extolling the late Queen Alexandra’s domestic life and charity, none are more glowing than the German newspapers.

President Hinclonburg’s is couched in the most sympathetic terms.

Addressing the Welsh miners, Secretary Cook, said : “Our Queen Mother whose loss is universally mourned, had many traits of character that we might emulate, especially tho human side. Unpractical sympathy towards suffering and her desire for pence were virtues very necessary in high places, and were also beneficial to the nation. 111 deference to the King, sport was not interrupted. Footballers wore crepe pads.

Shops, in view of tho House, have changed from a blaze of bright shimmering colours, to a mass of black, white and mauve.

Bradford has Been inundated with orders for black fabrics. It is expected the ceremonies connected with the signing of the Locarno Treaties will not he affected.

RCEXKS AT CITGRCTT. (Received this flay at 12.30 p.m / I.OXfiOX, November yl. Many who waited in the early morn, near the tiny church at Sandringham, were excluded from the service, which was confined to Royalty and intimate friends. The only sound that disturbed the quiet solemnity of the country-j side was the tolling of the church hell, when the Kino, Queen ami Princes walked slowly from the house towards the church. Their Majesties entered the church alone and walked towards the coffin which was covered by QudeAi i Alexandra’s own standard, and lying ] on an ordinary bier used at village funerals. They stood in silence for a few moments, then bowed and the Kiiut placed a six-foot laurel cross, composed of pink and white carnations, chrysanthemums and violets thereupon. They then went to their places. Dr (Irani delivered an eloquent address the closing sentences of which were spoken with considerable emotion. Most of the congregation were in tears. After the service two old servants of King Edward guarded the coffin throughout the afternoon. Great crowds arrived in buses, motors and afoot and filed past the bier.

The family wreaths were touchingly inscribed. That laid by the King and Queen read “ For Darling Mother Dear, from sorrowing and devoted children, George and Mary.” Another reads: “From her brokenhearted child, Torin.” The church remains open with the exception of a two-hour interval daily, until Wednesday. A TRIBUTE. WELLINGTON. Nov. 23. Feeling references to the death of Queen Alexandra were made in all the churches yesterday. Preaching at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Archdeacon Johnson said the title Queen Mother would live i'll historv, for it reflected the glory she had shed on family ties and rare on the greatness of brotherhood unci parenthood. No one could question the fact that Alexandra’s life depended on Per lovnltv to Gotland her maintenance of the great ideals of which she was such an honourable exponent.