AT WASHINGTON'S TOMB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1939, Page 6

AT WASHINGTON'S TOMB

WREATH LAID BY KING GEORGE

Powerful Impression on Millions of Americans

DELIGHTFUL OLD MANSION AND GROUNDS ADMIRED DAY OUT FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS By Telegraph.—Press Association.--Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.') WASHINGTON, Juno 9. King Gerge VI. today showed how completely the past has been forgotten when he laid a wreath on the tomb of a rebel British Army officer whom his great-great-grandfather 'would have hanged. The visit to Washington’s tomb was one of the most symbolic acts of the tour and created a powerful impression on millions of Americans, who revere Washington as the father of their country. There was a solemn hush as the King gravely approached the simple brick mausoleum, entered through iron grille gates and dropped the wreath. Washington was buried on his Mount Vernon estate, overlooking Ihe Potomac River, where he lived the life of an English squire. The estate is now a national shrine, perfectly preserved. Its English box hedges are carefully trimmed and its gardens are filled with eighteenth century English cottage garden flowers. During the simple ceremony the Queen stood with the President ami Mrs. Roosevelt under the shade of an English yew tree, a few feet from the tomb. This yew was planted by the Prince of Wales in 1919 and replaced the one planted by King Edward VII. in 1860. Their Majesties spent an hour at Mount Vernon, which was reached by river, aboard the Presidential yacht Potomac. The King was accorded, full naval honours. The smart steel-grey vessel flew the Royal Standard from her foremast and the King was piped, aboard. Their Majesties appeared grateful for the relief from sweltering heat provided by the spreading trees in the grounds. They-saw everything—even Washington’s vegetable garden. They also went through the Mansion. The Queen was delighted with its furnishings. “How lovely! Why this is one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever seen,” she said, when she entered Martha Washington’s drawing room. The Queen was also intrigued by the old family kitchen, which is a separate building. Sixty Press photographers had a field day. Their Majesties relaxed friendliness seemed catching. Regulations were forgotten and they abandoned their roped-off position and without any official interference, followed their Majesties everywhere. The Queen seemed vastly amused as every shrub she approached blossomed with cameras. Given an inch, American camera men take a mile. Finally, their Majesties were in grave danger of tripping over the perspiring reapers of the finest crop of “close-ups” Royalty has ever provided.

A SMILE AND A WAVE

The Queen Captures Congress

CHEERING SHAKES CAPITOL DOME

(Received This Dav, 1.0 p.m.) ' WASHINGTON, June 9

The greetings extended to their Majesties by both Legislative bodies in the Capitol Rotunda also closed on a happy note of informality. The reception lasted for half an hour. As their Majesties were leaving, the Queen paused in the doorway, smiled on all the Congress and waved. A stiffly correct programme had excluded demonstrations of any kind, but Congress kicked over the traces and roared its acclaim. The Speaker, Mr. Bankhead, led the cheering, which shook the Capitol dome.

“The 1939 capture of the American Government,” is the banner line of a Washington newspaper tonight. Congress certainly surrendered to their Majesties’ charm. AH worries about protocol, formal dress and whether American women should curtsey, were forgotten once their Majesties entered,