Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-31
LONDON CoNDOLEs.
CONSERVATION and Sympathy Through
out British Capital.

out British Capital
LONDON, December 31-The following
message, which the lord mayor of London
Sir James T. Richie. transmits through
the Associated Press. well voices the con-
s.ernation and sympathy which prevail
throughout the British metropolis over the
disaster at Chicago yesterday:
IN. MANSION HOUSE. London. Dec 81.
The citizens Of London offer their deem
sympathy and sincere coincidence with the
American people In the awful loss of life
In the fire at Chicago.
(signe0 JAMES T. RITCHIE,
Lord Mayor of. London ;"
All local and foreign topics of interest
were forgotten here this morning In the
universal horror over the Iroquois Theater
tragedy.
Extra Editions Sought Eagerly.
The extra editions of the newspapers CIV
ing the latest details were eagerly bought
up, and the newspaper placards only bore
In faring type the announcement of further
news from Chicago.
throughout the morning Americans resi-
dent In London made frequent INQUIRIES
at the Office of the Associated Press The
nags over the American steamship offices
were half masted
The accounts Of the deadly panic were
read by the English people with peculiar
sympathy and horror, for the pantomime
season here is now at its height. and the
Lonoon theaters are daily packed with
women and children.
The disaster of yesterday doubtless will
keep many Londoners from sending their
children to the usual Christmas holiday
pantomime."
The afternoon newspapers comment SYM
pathetically.
The Globe terms it lone of the most ter
rible disasters of its kind in the last hun
dred years" and goes on to say:
Criticises Chicago Authorities.
ut is difficult to understand how the
Chicago authorities came to permit such an
awful death trap to be constructed" ~
The Globe thinks that in the outset there
could have been no adequate fire appH-
ances. or else they failed to work. and
does not believe that in this country any
theater management would be so utterly
helpless"
The scheme of exits" says the Pail
t'caliy worthless Ai5.s-i- r..
The st. James Gazette says:
Curtain Should Be Lowered Once.
"The ghastly holocaust at least teaches
the wisdom of the local ordinance which
requires the fireproof curtain to be lowered
once every evening to insure Its good or
der"
The Westminster Gazette points to the
terrible regularity with which Christmas
tide comedies with a great disaster. and
thinks 1t only shows how necessary TO
public security are the theater regulations
which so often are deemed oppressive.
Ambassador Choate Replies.
To the lord mayors message of SYM
pathy, which was also transmitted to the
United States embassy. by which 1t will
BIO forwarded to the State Department at
Washington. Ambassador Choate replied:
II have received your tender message
of coincidence in behalf of the citizens Of
London to the people of the United
States in the tragic calamity at Chicago,
and thank you most sincerely l have
transmitted it to Washington.
(Signed) "CHOATE."
Upton to the Front.
Sir Thomas Upton says he believes
sympathy Is best evidenced by helping
the sufferers and that If fund is opened
in Chicago to assist those who have been
deprived of their bread winners he will
Agladly contribute $500 or $1,000.
Well Known as Athlete.
ST. LOUIS. Mo-, December 31.-Harry
Kelley, reported among the killed in the
Chicago fire, was well known locally as a
foot ball player and all-round athlete. He
was the athletic instructor at the st. Louis
University.
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