PREPARATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1939, Page 7

PREPARATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Assurance of Overwhelming Welcome STRENUOUS TIME IN PROSPECT POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF VISIT By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. ■ NEW YORK, -lune 7. On the eve of their Majesties’ entry into the United States at Niagara three things stand out about the impending American tour. . . . i First the extraordinarily favourable impression createc throughout this country by their Canadian tour. Comment y Mrs Roosevelt on Monday, which is echoed universally, expressed, the opinion that the. British Sovereigns have showed themselves every inch a King and Queen not only in then regal demeanour but also in the depth of their interest in their subjects and their simplicity and gentleness in all their dealings with them. Thus the United Slates-will welcome their Majesties not only out of curiosity but with real affection. Secondly if the Canadian journey made great demands upon the strength of their Majesties, then the American tour, though much briefer, nevertheless is likely to prove even moie strenuous, because it seems to be indicated that everybody who is foot loose will flock to the three focal points of their Majesties’ American visit, namely Washington, New York and Hyde Park, and there is little likelihood that they will be spared the typical strenuousness of large scale American hospitality. The difficulties of Sir Ronald Lindsay’s garden party apparently have been ironed out, and 1400 g,uests will attend. Other aspects of the Washington visit involve a degree of military and official pomp and popular participation—-already Washington hotels are swamped with visitors —such as the city has never known before. Their Majesties will visit the World Fair and will spend five minutes at the Australian pavilion, to which Mr McGregor has invited members of the Australian colony lor the occasion. The pouring out of the populace in New York city proper as their Majesties tour through it en route to Columbia University and thence to Hyde Park is giving the authorities much concern, and on many streets only 7 holders of cards will be permitted to stand and view the passing of Royalty. Hyde Park, Mr Roosevelt’s birthplace, will be the scene ostensibly 7 of complete informality, their Majesties dining with the Roosevelts and family and picnicking with them and their neighbours, but Airs Roosevelt’s picnics are known to be active affairs, and the keenness of the gentry and farmers to see the King and Queen promises to intensify the strenuousness of the day their Alajesties will spend at the President’s home.

STRICT PRECAUTIONS. Unprecedented precautions have been taken by all authorities to assure the safety of the Sovereigns. Police will be stationed in all high buildings to watch the crowds while their Majesties pass, and all spectators in the immediate environs of their Majesties. All windows along the route must be closed, and passing motor-cars must stop. Extremely large numbers of police, State troopers, soldiers and sailors, as well as United States secret service operatives will guard the Sovereigns night and day. The Russell and Duchess of Kent incidents served to intensify the precautionary measures, and these reach a degree probably never before undertaken in America. Mr Cordell Hull, American Secretary of State, Sir Ronald Lindsay and their respective entourages are leaving for Niagara tonight to welcome their Majesties on American soil. That will mark the beginning of a ceremony, which, aside from the elements of so-called human interest, apparently has a deeper political significance in the minds of most Americans. The Associated Press Washington correspondent, for instance, says: “The fact that the first visit of a reigning British monarch to the United States is made at one of the most critical periods in the history of the British Empire cannot but stir the thoughts of international politicians. He comes at a moment, too, when the United States itself is engaged in the greatest peacetime armaments programme in its history. He comes at an instant when Congress is considering a change in the Neutrality Act which would enable Britain to get arms and munitions from the United States in time of war. All these facts world politicians will searchingly endeavour to assay.”