NATION'S DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1920, Page 5

NATION'S DAY.

TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD. ' BURIAL OF UNKNOWN WARRIOR. By Telegraph.—Pren Asm.—Copyright. London, Nor. 11. The Nation's Day opened with a dead feisty daybreak but the aun shone out by 10 o'clock, when Westminster was thronged by representatives of the Empire who had assembled to honor the then and women, known and unknown, who imade the great sacrifice and are awaiting the great reveille. Many people waited throughout the night in order to ensure passing the Cenotaph to-day and depositing wreaths. Crowds will be- passing (or three days, all traAc being diverted from Whitehall and Parliament Street until Saturday. Those in the crowd opposite the Cenotaph Were all bereaved, and mostly women ot the poorer class, showing signs of grirf and carrying wreaths, and several bunches of flowers. Here also were It group of the statesmen of the Empire," Including Lord Milner, Lord CurMD, the Speaker, other Ministers and eX-Mmiatere, black-coated and wearing decorations. Among these were Sir James Allen, Mr. Fiaker, and Mr. MilJen, carrying great wreaths of laurels. Behind them was a white-surpliced choir fcnd on the' other side of the Cenotaph wet* a group of clergy, ministers of all denominations, including the Salvation Army, hea'ded by the Primate and the Bishop of London.

The windows of the Government Offices in Whitehall were filled with faces, including those of Queen Mary, Queen Alexandra, and Queen Maud of Norway, who witnessed the unveiling thenee before driving to Westminster Abbey. Lord Beatty's windows at the Admiralty were given up to the relatives of dead lower-deck ratings. Twenty Australian and eleven New Zealand widows and mothers occupied stands outside the Colonial Office with the Agents-Generals' wives.

ARRIVAL AT THE CENOTAPH. King George, in a Field-Marshal's Uniform, with the Prince of Wales in Jthakt, the Duke of York in the Air Force uniform, and Prince Henry and the Duip of Connaught, arrived at 10.40 *fcd took up his position on the Borth tide of the Cenotaph, awaiting the unknown warrior, who was being borne on a gun-carriage from Victoria (Station, followed by a great procession of soldiers and mourners. There was a •uddeii silence as the "Dead March" in Baul w*a heard in the distance. The troops reversed arms. The music suddenly stopped and at 10.60 the only sound war the low footfall .of the proCession retching the Cenotaph, wheTe it halted. Australians, New Zealanders ao,d wldiers of the other Dominions followed the British army, and Navy. Major Dansey, Captain Gardiner and four men represented Xew Zealand. A feature of the procession was the farfetching black-clad line which had been kh»ii two years ago. Fifteen represented the Australian services and assocUtions in.the procession, including a deputation of ten who later placed a wreath on the Cenotaph. When fee procession halted, the firing P«*ty, matching before the gun-carriage, pasted the Cenotaph. Then the gunca»i*g« halted before the King. The cfpn »M covered with a Union Jack, a •Uel helmet, belt and bayonet were Pitied on top,' and Lord Haig, Lord Jftett*, Lord Beatty and five other TJaM-Mftrshala and Admirals were standing behind as bearers.

STAKING OF THE HOUR. Choiri of men's voices on the west «ide of the Cenotaph commenced the nymn "0 God our help in ages past," the roll of the drums heralding the verse "Life, like an ever-rolling strewn, bears all her sons away." The Primate leading and the vast crowd joining in the Lord's Prayer ended the little service. Then there was a pause awaiting Big Ben striking the hour. As the last stroke rang out the King turned from the coffin, pressed a button, and a huge Union Jack and draperies feU, revealing Luzton'e Cenotaph The two minutes' silence followed, the officers on dnty saluting and all others standing bareheaded. Tbjh buglers sounded the "Last Post." As the sound of the bugles died away the King placed a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph on behalf of the Royal Family and Mr Lloyd George, on behalf of the Government. Mr. Millen and Mr. Fisher advanced and deposited a great laurel wreath and a spray of white flowers on behalf of Australia, and Sir James Ah Jen another laurel wreath inscribed TTom the Government and people of Hew Zealand." The other Dominions and colonies paid similar tributes iheludiM a party of the Australian Imperial Force, who placed a wreath shaped like the Australian badge of the Rising Sun, with the air picked out in blue ■ttwers. As the gun-carriage moved on the King and the Princes saluted and fell ia behind the coffin, the FieldMarshals, Admirals, and Air-Marshals marching on either side, and Mr. Millen and Mr. Fisher following with the Cabi- ' net Ministers. So the unknown warrior came to Westminster Abbey.

GBAVE IS THE ABBEY. tivayboiy was seated by 10 o'clock »*• grave was surrounded by a large rioiet carpet. It is within a dozen ywdi of the great western doors and met tie shadow of Westmacott'a national memorial to Pitt. This meat founder of Empire looked upon the unMown, hero whose sacrifice helped to taetain the statesman's handiwork Feabody tte American and Livingstone, the traveller, lie nearby. During the arrival of the congrega«on, the Grenadiers' Band played an Impressive selection of funeral music ju* the choir sang well-known hymns. The ■waoers of the Royal Family arrived at 10.80, including the Queen of Maud,* and the Duchess of Fife. The Royalties wen Mated a few feet from th* open g» Y e. They wwe join6d b Queen Hairy, Queen Alexandra and the Queen of Norway. The spaee from the nare to the choir ""•**• PWked with privileged per2Jtoludin? * **»t company of aoland mothers, including* Mrs. Bassett Smith, widow of the captain of the Otakf, other Australians and New Zealandew, groups J* seamen, soldtaff and flylng-men, aoldlrs from Austrkßa and the outer Jtepire. Also noticeable elsewhere were 100 wearers ft tiut vtotorta Cross, isdudlmuOaau*] i

Freyberg. Among the congregation were Mrs. Fisher and Lady Allen. | When Big Ben boomed forth the hour of 11 a sudden silence fell upon the congregation. It was a tense and solemn incident. Not a sound was heard within or without the building. For two minutes the heart of that vast congregation joined in unison with the prayers of hundreds of thousands throughout the Empirein gratitude for a great deliverance and for the eternal happiness of those who made the great sacrifice. KING AS CHIEF MOURNER. Looking round during this most solemn period one could not help noticing how large was the civilian Element. Beyond the surpliced choir and Dean Ryle's black and gold cope there was not a splash of color. Khaki uniforms were lo3t in the mass of sober black. It looked like an\ordinary Sunday congregation. This was suitable to such a demonstration in a democratic age. The sentiment was quickened when the funeral procession, reaching the Abbey by each door, moved down the choir and nave, for there on the war-worn flag enveloping the coffin was an old Crusader's sword, which was the gift of the King, by the side of the hero's helmet. The casket was followed by the King, as chief mourner, supported by his three sons. The pall-bearers were generals and admirals, In the procession which followed were Cabinet Ministers, representatives of the army and navy, and high officials of the State. Among the group were Mr. Fisher, Mr. Millen, and Sir James Allen.

The Archbishop of Canterbury took his place by the side of Dean Ryle at the head of the coffin, but took no part in the service. At the words of committal King George stepped forward and threw a handful of soil, brought from France, into the open grave. The ordinary burial service was used throughout, with such hymns as "Abide With Me," "Lead Kindly Light," and the "Recessional." It was not a ceremony of great pomp, but it was the most touching function, an impersonal funeral, a tribute to the unknown heroes who came from all parts of the Empire.

[ CEREMONY ALL OVER BRITAIN. THOUSANDS VISIT THE ABBEY. MANY PERSONAL TRIBUTES. Received Nov. 12, 8.20 p.m. London, Nov. 11. Peace celebrations were held all over the country. There were striking scenes around the Mansion House, in the heart of the city. At eleven o'clock traffic was brought to a standstill, prayers were offered up, and the people sang, "0 God, Our Help in, Ages Past." There were simliar scenes in every town and village of Britain. Tha only flaw was that Armistice Day was not celebrated by Sinn Fein Ireland, except in military circles, where parades were held within barracks.

The procession of mourners continued in London until midnight, crowds passing the illuminated cenotaph into the Abbey to pay homage to the grave of the unknown. Many were overcome as they passed, and had to be helped by the police. Hardly a word was spoken: the shuffle of "myriad feet and the quiet music of the organ were the only sounds. There were thousands oi wreaths and bunches of flowers, many of which were personal tributes, "To my Father," "To my Brother," and "To my sister" by those who recognised in the known their own relative. One wreath was made of laurel gathered in the precincts of Ypres Cathedral, inscribed, "To a warrior in the great war known unto God." Ambassador Davis during the afternoon placed a wTeath inscribed "America will not forget."— A-usi-NZ Cable Assn.

MESSAGE FROM KING GEORGE. London, Nov. 10. King George addressed a special message to the rulers of America, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Roumania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovakia and to the Regent of Greece conveying an expression of unalterable regard and esteem.—Times. A DISGRACEFUL INCIDENT. London, Nov. 11. During the two minutes' silence the office windows of Sylvia Pankhurat's newspaper, the Workers' Dreadnought, were thrown open and girl clerks began laughing, dancing and singing. People in the street rushed upstairs and forced the door open. Women severely handled the dancers, whom the police later protected.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CEREMONY IN PARK:. Paris, Nov. 11. France celebrated the fiftieth anniwrsary of the Republic and Armistice Day by the burial of an unknown warrior. Crowds all night passed before the Cenotaph, and this morning the President (M. Millerand) and Ministers walked bareheaded in procession to the Pantheon, conveying the unknown man's remains on a gun carriage and Gambetta's heart on a wreath-covered wagon. There was an impressive scene in the interior of the Pantheon when M. Millerand formally received the remains of the men representing the two greatest epochs in the history of the Republic. On M. Millerand's left hand four persons were seated, symbolising the unknown poilu's fimily, and on his right hand were seven members of Gambetta's fam-ily.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn. OBSERVANCE IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, Nov. 11. An impressive silence settled over the city for two' minutes after 11 o'clock struck. All traffic everywhere stopped and people stood in the streets hatless. There was a big gathering in Martin Place where the Governor and the Premier gave short addresses, and paid n tribute to the illustrious dead. Special services were held in a number of churches. There was a similar observation of Armistice Day throughout the Commonwealth.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.