LATE PRESIDENT HARDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2619, 14 August 1923, Page 3

LATE PRESIDENT HARDING.

LAST RITES AT MARION. Marion (Ohio), August 10. Shortly after noon, a line of people waiting to pass the coffin extended from the late President Harding’s house three miles across the city. Special trains arrived frequently to unload fresh masses and Red Cross detachments were kept busy aiding the scores of people who were prostrated by the intense heat. With a simple, brief ceremony, the ex-President’s remains were interred in their temporary resting place, the receiving vault of little Wooden cemetery. At one o’clock the doors of President Harding’s house were closed to the public, near relatives taking a last look at the body. The coffin was then sealed and placed in a plain hearse. The procession to the grave moved between lines of “plain home folk,” who had known the President when a. printer. Following the hearse with Ihe pallbearers representing Congress, were the relatives, President Coolidge, Messrs Taft and Hughes, Cabinet members, and officials from Washington, then several thousand Marionites. On arriving at the vault, the choir sang two verses of “Lead Kindly Light.” Then followed a short scripture reading and prayer, then three verses of “Nearer My God to Thee” were snug, and the Benediction concluded fho service. Simultaneously with the placing of the coffin in the vault, buglers stationed in every large city sounded “Taps.” In Washington guns fired a salute, while flags were dipped everywhere. AI the moment the coffin was placed in the mausoleum at Marion (four o’clock New York Standard time). A period of silence, varying from one to five minutes was observed throughout the country, on American ships at sea, and in all dependencies, embassies, and Consulates in the world. Railways, tramways, and all means of transportation suspended operations for five minutes. The day was observed as a general holiday, throughout which theatres, race tracks, and all sporting events were closed, as well as all businesses. At Marion, upwards of 50,000 people filed past the coffin, the procession lasting long after midnight and being resumed early this morning. SERVICE AT THE ABBEY. London, August 10. The Abbey was filled in every cor- : cr for Ihe memorial service to President Harding, while an overflow - i ivice was held at St. Margaret’s. The Duke of York occupied the chief place as representing the King while the Prince of Wales and other Royalties were present. The congregation included members of Cahinel, 1 lie Diplomatic Corps, and the Dominions’ High Commissioners. Canon Carnegie, in delivering an address, said it was fitting that in ihe Abbey, this central shrine of our parent lineage, Americans and Britishers should unite in giving expression to 1 lie mutual goodwill, sympathy, and solicitude aroused by President Harding’s death. Mr Harding’s life work did not fail to satisfy us. Britishers and American. alike recognised him as a man who tried to do his duty'. memorial service was also held in SI. Giles, Edinburgh. hi Paris a memorial service was held in the American Pro-Cathe-dral and was largely attended. M. Millerand was represented, and several members of the Cabinet attended. WELSH DIRGE. London, August 10. An impressive and picturesque scene was witnessed at the Welsh National Eisteddfod. The assembly had its culmination in an inspiring moment, when in response to an invitation by Air Lloyd George in referring to President Harding’s death twelve thousand men and women leapt to their feet and sang a mournful Welsh funeral hymn. A resolution of sympathy with Ihe United States and the widow was passed by Hie gathering which included Welshmen from Australasia, the United Stales, Canada and Nigeria.