NATION REJOICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 7

NATION REJOICES

HEIR TO THRONE. PRINCESS JULIANA’S BABY. CELEBRATION IN HOLLAND. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received February 1, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 31. Princess Juliana, of Holland, gave birth to a daughter at 9.84 a.m. Princess Juliana’s baby is doing well. The news was flashed from the Palace and set the nation rejoicing. Salutes were fired from the buildings which were beflagged and heralds rode the main street at The Hague. The event was announced by proclamation from the balcony of the Town Hall. Over 70,000 biscuits, sprinkled with sugar and caraway seed, are being distributed to the school children in accordance with the old Dutch custom on the birth of a child. An earlier Amsterdam message stated that thousands of people were sitting up all night in the expectation of Princess Juliana giving _ birth to a child beiVire dawn. _ Lights were burning in every window. HEIRESS TO THRONE. The child of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard will be the heiress to the Dutch Throne. The birth has been eagerly awaited throughout Holland. Hundreds of cradles and treasure cots went sent to Soestdijk, in anticipation of birth. These are to be presented to poor women whose babies are born about the same time as the baby of the Princess. Royal preparations for the arrival of the heir to the throne were almost as simple as those for babies in much humbler circumstances. Queen Wilhelmina. mother of Prinress Juliana, painted the Princess’s own baby dressing table, which will be used for the new baby’s things. Joyful preparations for the event were overshadowed by the serious illness of PrinSe Bernhard following .a motor accident, in which he received severe concussion. The courtship and wedding of the Royal Prince and Princess of Holland was one of the most light-hearted of Royal romances. Their wedding was a signal for rejoicing for the whole of the Dutch people, and on their wedding night The Hague was illuminated with thousands of tiny electrically-lit oranges, signifying the name of the ruling house. Princess Juliana wished that her baby might be born at her own 'homo Soestdijk. The baby inherits a proud royal tradition. For more than four centuries the houses of Orange and Nessau have played a leading part in the history of the Netherlands.. It is now twenty-eight years since a child was horn in the iiousty of Orange-Nassau. and forty-seven year* since a king occupied the throne. Fo>those critical years. Queen Emma, as Regent for her daughter, and Queen Wilhelmina have guided the destinies of the kingdom. LAST DAY OF MONTH. ROYAL FAMILY’S BIRTHDAYS. Received February 1, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 31. Their Majesties have sent a message of congratuation to Princess Juliana. A thanksgiving service will be held, in the Dutch Church in London on FnAn Amsterdam message states that everybody is saying: “We might have known it,” recalling that Queen Willielmina and Princess Juliana were born on the last day of the month August 31 and April 30, respectively. It is now reported that the baby T was born at 9.27 (G.M.T.) on January 31. It weighed 7|lb. Minor offenders in the Dutch army and navy have been granted amnesties.