THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT HARDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2616, 7 August 1923, Page 3

THE PASSING OF PRESIDENT HARDING.

THE FUNERAL TRAIN,

CORTEGE 3,000 MILES LONG. New York, August 4. America to-day has a solemn funeral cortege three thousand miles long. A special train bearing the late President Harding’s body, which left San Francisco, is being greeted all along the route by silent groups, standing bareheaded as the deathear passes. The train is travelling speedily without stops, except to change engines and will reach Washington on Tuesday. Mrs Harding continues to maintain her composure, appearing calm at the brief funeral service 'held before the body, was moved from the hotel to the train. Mr Coolidge, the new President, invited her to remain at White House as long as she desires. He is at present living at an hotel in Washington. He told the press that all matters of national policy will stand temporarily as they were. All the Cabinet members have formally resigned, under the usual procedure, but it is improbable that the resignations will be accepted, Mr Coolidge desiring the same Ministry. All financial and many business firms are closed in respect for the late president. Washington is deluged by messages of sympathy from European Powers including King George, and the Prince of 'Wales. The British Consul at San Francisco was the first to convey foreign regret. Following the attending physicians’ statement about President Harding’s complaints, there is universal surprise that the late President was permitted to make his recent tours. The doctors state that President had for years suffered from arterial seelerosis (an enlarged heart), and defective kidneys, with frequent acute gastric and intestinal trouble.

Mr Coolidge has arrived at Washington to assume his new duties. He has proclaimed August 10 as a day of national mourning. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S MESSAGE London, August 3. Mr Lloyd George, in a message regarding President Harding’s death says it is one more complication tp, a world already tangled with troubles. His genial and simple straightforwardness won the genuine respect and liking of this country. ALL GAIETY CEASED. New York, August 3. The American nation which, a few hours ago, was rejoicing at President Harding’s recovery, is now stunned bv the tragic suddenness of bis death.’ In New York, Washington, San Francisco and all the large cities, the news was announced in the cabarets. The dances and all music instantly ceased, and the dancers left the floor, flu* stock exchanges throughout the country are closed to-day, while the professional baseball games were postponed.

A R GEN TIN E Till BUTE,

Rio De Janeiro, Aug. 3.

President Bernardes has decreed a three days’ official mourning for President Harding. All the interior cities have lowered their flags to half-mast while the stores and public buildings displayed draped pictures of President Harding. Senators eulogised President Harding in the Argentine Congress which has adjourned for three days. ATTITUDE TOWARDS DISARMAMENT. ACKNOWLEDGED BY LEAGUE. Paris, August 4. At a meeting of the League of Nations Disarmament Commission, the president and Lord Robert Cecil paid a tribute to the late President Harding’s worth and his attitude to-wards disarmament. LABOUR SYMPATHY. Washington, August 4. Mr Samuel Gompers summoned 3d representative Labour leaders, who issued joint declarations, which concludes: "We proffer to the new President our whole-hearted consideration and co-operation in all that goes to upbuilding the country and the welfare of the people. We welcome the man who comes to take up the fallen mantle. VVe how in grief and reverence before the bier of our fallenvPresident. VVe offer our services, thought and strength to our Government under him who is now called to assume the commanding post of .duty and service.' ’ The declaration is deemed to be especially conciliatory, because Labour generally deplores Mr Cooiidge’s use of troops in the 1919 police strike, which marked his political emergence. BURIAL AT BIRTH PLACE. Ban Eranciseo, August 3. Mr Harding’s body will leave here to-night on a special train, heavily guarded. It will be taken to Washington for the formal State funeral and thereafter will be interred at Marion, Mr Harding’s birthplace. Mrs Harding is displaying the extraordinary courage which she has shown throughout. When she realised that the President was dead she said: “1 am not going to break down.” She spent the night in company with women friends, quietly telling them of her husband’s last hours.