DEATH OF EARL HAIG

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1928, Page 3

DEATH OF EARL HAIG

Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.) 'K\RL HAIG’S BURIAL PLACE. LONDON, Jan. 31. Jji the absence of a knowledge of reference in bis wall to imei ment, arrangements proceeded for a funeial in St. Paul’s, but a Scottish solicitor who is in charge thereof, brought the will to London and found a certain request to be Iburied at Bemersyde, which has been the home of the Haig’s far nine centuries. Other arrangements were rapidly made for the body to be taken to St. Columbas Scottish

Church in Pont Street, where Haig worshipped. Haig will lie- there in State on Wednesday and , Thursday. There will be a private funeral service there of a limited number of friends and relatives on Friday. Thereafter, a public and military service in Westminster Abbey. The actual interment of the body will take place at Bemersyde on Saturday or Monday. Following the precedent of Thomas Hardy, a suggestion has been made that the heart he buried in Edinburgh. but the family disapproved. The Scottish executive of the British Legion is arranging memorial services throughout Scotland. i There was an enormous response today to Lady Haig’s request to confine floral tributes to artificial poppies, made in the disabled ex-service men’s factory which Earl Haig established at Richmond and Edinburgh, both receiving hundreds of orders. Lady Haig's wreath takes the form of a cavalry sword.

BELGIUM’S REPRESENTATIVES BRUSSELS, Jan. 31.

General de Ceniiingk, two officers and twelve soldiers will represent the King, Government and army at Earl Haig's funeral. • VOX KLUC’K’S TFUBUTE.

General Von Kluek stated lie always bold Earl Haig in great estimation, both as a corps leader and army commander. Also lie regretted exceedingly lie bad not the opportunity of making his personal acquaintance. He had previously asked Count Daberiion to invite Earl Haig to visit him in Berlin. PARIS, Jail. 31. Generals Koch and Retain will attend Earl Haig’s funeral.

MILITARY FUNERAL. LONDON. Jan. 31

It is officially announced by the War Office that Earl Haig will be given a military funeral in London on 3rd February. The procession proceeds from the Scottish Church, St. Coluniba, to Westminster Abbey, via Grosyonor Crescent, via Constitution Hall, Horse Guards, and Whitehall. After .the service in the Abbey the procession continues to Waterloo via Westminster Bridge for entrainment to Scotland. The American Legion sent a message to the British Legion:—“llaig was a great soldier, an indomitable leader, a gen tie spirit -tenaciously courageous and serene in tlie darkest hours.” THE KING’S TRIBUTE. I.ONDOX. Jan. 30. A Court Circular announces that Tlis Majesty has learned with profound sorrow of the death of Earl Haig, who will' for all time be remembered as Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s victorious armies in the field. The King knows that the sudden irreparable loss will be deeply felt throughout the .Empire by the army, especially by old comrades, to whose welfare ho had devoted himself since the (lose of the war.

Lady Haig hopes intending donors of wreaths will purchase those made of Flanders poppies by ex-service men, in tlie Richmond and Edinburgh factories. which Lord Haig established. The British Legion endorses Hus. and says not a more- appropriate tribute is imaginable than thus helping Lord Haig’s disa'bled comrades.

BURIAL AT ST. PAUL’S

. t!oXDON, .Tan. 30. '['lie nation is shocked at tlu* dramatic. suddenness of the passing of tlie greatest soldier of the Empire. The news was not revealed till nearly twelve hours after bis death. An official medical statement, issued with the consent of Countess Haig, made it clear that war strain and worry contributed finally to the death of tin- great Field Marshall. It is understood that expert medical opinion bolds that. Earl Haig's heart muscle had decayed. and uis older than the heart itself. No inquest will he held. Arrangements are being made tor the burial in St. Paul's alongside other great soldiers of the past—-Nel-son, AVellington, Roberts. Marshal Focli is very Tikely to come to London specially to attend the burial. Tt is suggested also that King Albert would come to Loudon.

The tragic passing was responsible for spontaneous and sincere eulogies. Friends and enemies alike arc unanimous in their verdict that he was the greatest soldier of the day. Earl Haig had come from Bormersyde, his Berwickshire, home to attend meetings of the British Legion, and was spending the week-end with his 1 sister. Mrs Jameson, at Princes Gate, London. He lmd consulted a doctor about the state of his health bolero .leaving, and intended to see a London specialist before his departure for a sojourn at file Riviera. He did not at once lose oonsi iousness. .but bis death occurred quickly, and he did not realise that he was dying. Restoratives were applied without avail.

The Countess was not present. S'( was staying with friends in London with the intention of joining her husband before his depart lire for the Rimera, next week.

The news was telephoned to the King at Sandringham, who despatched a telegram to the Countess, expres*--iug his deepest sympathy. Earl Haig no longer iiad any direct part in the organisation of the Army, and was not a serving officer, but a Field Marshal retains his rank connection after retirement.

QUATNT REMARKS BY “THE TIGER.’’ PARTS. Jan. 30. Marshall Focli said Earl Haig "ns a perfect brother in arms.

M. Clemonceall said France joins England in mourning. “1 could say many tilings, hut do not want to say them. T consider T am dead, and do not speak.” “HAIG WON THE AVAR,”

The “Daily News’’ Berlin correspondent reports that President Hindenburg was greatly moved by news of Karl Haig's death. The President declared that Furl Haig won the war. firstly because British grit shown in continuing the offensive of 1918. gave the French new courage, and enabled them to overcome war weariness, and secondly l>y snl»ordiiiation of liinisclf to General Focli, in the crisis of 1918. whereby control of personal ambition rendered possible great combined offensives which definitely overthrew Germany. General Ludendorff telegraphed: “T am not in a position to give a personal opinion of Earl Haig’s merits.” Previously however General Lndendorff had declared that he shared the German official view that victory was due to Earl Haig, "who was typically British—not brilliant but tenacious.’ Newspapers emphasise the point that Fail Haig was content in leading his troops to the Rhine after which he went home, not seeking more glory. LONDON TIME’S COMMENT. LONDON, Jan. 30. The “Times” editorially says: “M ith our backs to the wall, believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end.”—Earl Haig’s famous order, issued in the darkest days of April. 1918, will go down to the ages as a national nossession as did Nelson’s signal at Trafalgar. Danger however imminent did not perturb him. nor mishaps or disappointments, however, unexpected, jjis responsibilities, however, were

grave. Perhaps his gift of being able to go serenely to sleep each night, when he knew everything was at stake, was partly due to his race. His determination did not prevent his listening patiently to the French, particularly to Generals Focli and Petain, but he would resign rather than expose his troops to what he deemed amateur projects. “All honour,” says General Smuts, “to a great soldier and a greater gentleman. He has left a record of qualities and work of which the Empire may well be proud.” I hat is the host of epitaphs for Earl Haig.