The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-20
Crowned Heads and the lOW|y
viii Pay Last Tributes
At Westminster
THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS
CAMPING IN THE PARKS
in Mourning for the Dead Sover-
eign and the City Is Packed
with Many Visitors

LONDON, May 20, 5 a. ma brief
thunderstorm occurred last night but
hothing disagreeahle happened to the
many hundreds keeping vigil in the
streets along the lines of the route the
funeral cortege will pass over. There
bas been hustle by the workmen put :
ting the finishing touches on the dec
brations of the stands. The morning
broke bright and clear with every
promise of mcst favorab BILE conditions
Tor the sad pageant
Already the underground trains, the
Trans and the busses have started to
bring thousands into the city Most
of the seats will be taken up by s
o'clock, when the police will stop all
Vehicle traffic along the route of the
procession.
London May 19.-Nine crowned heads
of Europe and several heirs to thrones
fat down in Buckingham palace to-
night at a dinner which King George
gave to all his eminent guests as
femb1ed in Lor don for the funeral of
King Edward tomorrow.
After the dinner the members of all
George.
1t is noteworthy that the presence
Of so many rulers and princes must
necessarily throw great sense of re-
fponsibility upon the auth critics and
the police. All move about quite free
ly and no word is heard in the press
or public places of any apprehension Of
hntoward Incidents
London today filled ra pidly with peo-
pie from the provinces and foreign
ers.
The whole line of the funeral route
has been from early morn until late
ct nigh. surging mass OF people,
viewing the final preparations and pur-
chasing seats The gland business has
been greatly overdone and seats for
which SIS or $50 was asked a few
days ago are now being hawked for
from IS to $40.
The neighborho ood of the palace, the
government offices and the thorough
fares have seen a constant fitting OF
loyal carriages with foreign represent
Atives paying formal visits. Almost all
Of the official visitors went to see Sir
Edward Grey at the foreign office this
afternoon.
Emperor william of Germany. who
George and later had an affecting
meeting with the queen mother, Alex
tndra.
A Striking Scene
The Emperor then, accom- anied by
King George, proceeded to Westmn-
tter hall and paid a tribute 10 the mem
Dry of Edward VII
For a few moments while the En-
beror and King knelt at the side of the
kafff he Ge,x hos inc
IN line to file past the catafalque were
held in ch eek, though those in West
minister hall were permitted to re-
hain.
Upon rising to their feet the two mon
brch gripped hands as they stood with
bowed heads beside the body OF King
Edward. 1t was a striking scene and
greatly moved all those who witnessed it.
Thirty thousand soldiers from Aldershot
tnd other military stations are camping
tn the parks tonight. The weather is hot
end thunderstorms are not improbable.
Many thousands of people will pass the
hight in the streets In order to secure
points of vantage from which to view the
eortege. The lying in state closed at 1
bclock and it is estimated that not less
than 100000 persons passed through Vest
tninster hall King George with King
ferdinand of Bulgaria paid final visit
At late hour
All London is garbed in mourning. Four
thousand evergreen wIeaths, received by
the committee of women from all parts
Of the country have been hung along
(he route of the procession and great
masses are to be seen everywhere.
trafe trip was made today by the
toyal train which will carry the body to-
morrow from London to Windsor. The
koyal saloon has been upholstered in pur-
Die and white silk.
catafalque has been erected in the
tenter of the room and in this train will
travel King George and Queen Mary,
The Queen mother. Alexandra. eight other
bovereigns and the near relatives.
Special trains will convey the high Off
tials, the foreign representatives and
Special envoys TO Windsor.
windsor In Mourning
The little town of Windsor has assumed
: purple hue From the station at the
foot of Castle Hill, where the body Of
King Edward will arrive, to the SOW
ereigns entrance to the castle, every
building, including even the churches is
covered with a mourning pail of royal
purple. The stands erected In the open
places have been enshrouded In similar
manner so that the coffin of the royal
tnourners will pass through an avenue or
Che most sombre description
Throughout the day hundreds of people
came to Windsor from London and the
surroundings districts. and continuous
ttream of motors and carriages poured
through the castle gates carrying floral
memorials to the dead King.
Prominent among those from societies Is
che offering of the American society, the
shield of the United States in flowers.
being sent. The royal wreaths are of
Che simplest character only floral cir
elet. ri
Among the callers at Buckingham pal
Gee today were Colonel Roosevelt, the
King OF Denmark. the King of Greece.
Prince Henry of Prussia and the Lord
Chief Justice Of England.
~. Colonel Roose selt Inscribed his name in
sh'e books of King Manuel Of Portugal and
kg Albert of Belgium. AS he was leav-
the palace he met the German EN-
who took him to his apartments
4 hours talk. The former President
[ASlso one OF the guests Of King