THE KING IN FRANCE

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 135, 10 February 1915, Page 2

THE KING IN FRANCE

BATTLEFIELD VISITED. AN ENT HI ’BIABTIC RECEPTION. George ’< visit to the British Army in north of France and Plandors lias boon one of the most notable events of the war. ‘ ‘ Eye-Witness, ? 'the semi-official writer, who is employed by the War Office, has furnished an interesting record of the event. He says the King reached Boulogne early on November 31. He was mot by Rir John French. Boulogne is the largest base for the wounded in France. The King visited several of the hospitals 1 liore, including the special building for the Indian sick and wounded.

Each day’s tour during the visit was a triumphal procession, producing a demonstration of respectful affection. On Tuesday, December 1. the King made an early start by motor on his tour t< the Indian troops and the Fourth Army Corps. On his way to the headquarters of the former he passed several detachments drawn up alongside the road, and on arrival was received by the general officer commanding, who presented to him the Indian princes and Hie officers; of the staff. He then inspected the various bodies of British and Indian troops and Sepoys, showing the same pleasure at Jr is visit as the British soldiers. The next move was to the various divisional headquarters, where the procedure was similar, more troops being 'collected at each place. A halt was called at a field ambulance, where the preparation of native food was watched with interest, his Majesty tasting a chapatti which had just been cooked. At one place the King made n

distribution of decorations, amongst 1 lio recipients of the Vietora Cross tiring two gunners, both under twenty years of a go. Then a visit was paid to a large clearing hospital, where ttu* King spent some time going through the wards. After luncheon at the headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps, an historic meeting took place at 2 p.m. M Poinr-airo, the President of the French Republic, accompanied by M. Viviani. President of the Council, and General Joffre, the Commander-in-Chief of the Allies’ forces, arrived to greet his Majesty on French soil. After a very cordial meeting, the long procession o': fifteen motor-cars, led by the Prince of Wales, started on its way again round th o divisions. ,of the Fourth Corps, the King and the President driving together in an open car between the troops, who in this area, lined the roads almost continuously. The reception accorded the King hero was most enthusiastic. In deed, the sound of the cheering, if it reached the enemy, whose linos 'were not far distant from this position of the Royal route, must have arouses considerable curiosity. GENERAL .TOFFEE HONOURED. After the return of the Royal party, General .Toff’ro was invested wittli the Order of the Grand Cross of the Bath by his Majesty. M. Poincaire and M. Viviani had the honour of dining witl the King before ho left. On Wednesday his Majesty set out early, since his projected lour necessitated a circular journey of some seventy miles. The The Prince of Wales, as before, took part in the tour. After a motor run of

over half an hour the procession was met by the cavalry corps commander and his staff. Here the King left his car, and, followed by his suite and st aft walked between two long lines of mounted men. At the end of this double lino of cavalry were the headquarters of the general commanding the corps, in a charming chateau, which had been visited, though not damaged, by the Hermans. Here the King inspected the cavalry, signal units and detachments of the Army Service Corps, which wore drawn up in front of the chateau. He then distributed decorations, which included several medailles militates awarded by the President of the French "Republic to British soldiers. After this ceremony ho honourtlie Baronne who owned the chateau by a visit, and signed his name in one of her most cherished possessions, a sixteenth century volume, which act, as she is reported to have said, recompensed her for all that she had suffered. After inspecting another large cavalry force, and some artillery and engineer units, the King reached the headquarters of the Third, Army Corps, and had luncheon there. After luncheon the detachment of the Royal Flying Corps was visited, and the procession then proceeded through the area occupied by the division of the army corps. Amongst other things, the King witnessed the manufacture of charcoal on a largo scale for use in the trenches. He also visited a soldiers’ convalescent homo. These homes are really resting-places where men who are slightly indisposed and run down by the continuous strain can recuperate. It Is found that a threedays' entire rest- works marvels, and after that time some oS per cent, of the men admitted are able to go back to duty. Returning to general headquarters, his Majesty received General Foch, and presented him with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. The Order of St. Michael and St. George was also conferred on several French generals, and the Companionship of the Bath was presented to Colonel Grieen, of the French Military Mission, attached to the British Army. On Thursday the King invested Sir John French with the Order of Merit. He also visited the First and Second Corps, and at each divisional headquarters he distributed British and French decorations.

KING SEES BATTLE. At one spot when the air was very clear the King obtained an excellent view of the battlefield. Par away to the right rose the tall chimneys and factory buildings of Lille and Eoubaix. In front stretched ,a ridge which has been the scene of some of the most desperate fighting, and along it tin still smoking ruins of the villages showed up black and desolate. To the left rose the towers of Ypres, amidst which the Cloth Hull and Cathedral wore easily distinguishable. The extent of the damage done by the Germans could bo realised by the roofless nave of the great halls and the gaping holes in the tower. Even while the King was watching several howitzer shells burst in the town, and sent up that peculiar black smoke which distinguished them. To the cast of the old city he saw the woods which w;:Jiessed one of the fiercest struggles ever waged by British soldiers, and in which so many of them and their allies lie; while on the hill some of our batteries opened fire, and his Majesty was able to observe the effect on the enemy’s trenches.

VISIT TO BELGIAN KING. After making a distribution of j medals tor distinguished conduct, the King and Prnco of Wales visited the King of the Belgians at a small town in Belgian territory. The three luncm ed together at King Albert’s villa, i Here King George conferred the Order ; of the Garter upon his host. Some part , of Saturday was spent among the In- | di.au soldiers, with a visit to :he map j branch of the intelligence, section ot j the general staff. Here were seer | stacks of maps, vatying from these o 1 i large extents of country to the pin in ' ot towns and small areas prepared locally by the printing company of tin Royal Engineers, which the King saw actually at work. The average number of maps and plans issued daily to the different units of the army amounts t< between 300 and 400. The last visit paid was to the headquarters of the Royal Flying Corps. Machines wore being overhauled and repaired in the' workshops, while in the aerodrome others were starting out on reconnaissance duty. On returning his Majesty inspected one of the captured aeroplanes. Before leaving the front for the return journev to England, the King issued an order °i the day expressing lus warm admiration of everything that lie had seen.