The Colorado statesman., 1911-06-24
CROWNED KING OF UNIT o
KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN
AND IRELAND.
ONE MILLION ATTEND
LATE ARRIVALS PAY HEAVY FOR
SEATS-TAFT SENDS CON-
GRATULATiONS.

| siaSm. Neither was there the SreaS
crush and stampede of the coronation
crowd that was expected Amounting
as they did to threats, the stern ad-
monitions which were contained in
the presence of 10000 troops and 2O,-
| 600 policemen in the streets, served to
hold the multitude in seeming awe.
The result was that the coronation
was celebrated in comparative quie-
tude under gray skies. There was 4
cool to chilly wind and intermittent
rain squalls whipped the upturned
| faces in the street and assailed those
in the uncovered stands.
1t was not until the appearance OF
the little royal princes and the
Princess Mary in their new coach, the
latter bowling constantly with charm
ing graciousness, while the Prince OF
| Wales sat in a corner somewhat over
whelmed, that the crowds were
aroused to something akin to patriotic
fervor. Their reception served ad-
mrably as an introduction to the
appearance of the king and queen, so
the cheers which started for the chill
dren grew in volume for the parents
until a prolonged acclaim continued
throughout the royal progress from
Buckingham Palace to Westminster
Abbey.
The kings procession reached West
minister Abbey from Buckingham Pal
ace at IL o'clock. The actual time OF
the crowning of King George was
1882 o'clock, and of the queen, 1852
| L., nd loft the
abbey at 2:03 O'Clock, on the conclu-
sion of the ceremony, and started back
for Buckingham Palace. The king and
queen arrived at Buckingham Palace
at 2:51, after which they appeared on
the balcony of the building in their
robes of state. They repeatedly ac-
knowledged the greetings of the en-
thusiastic crowd below.
At daybreak, when cannon placed
in Hyde Park roared out reveille
which was taken up by the guns on
London tower, there were indications
on every side that the coronation host
| would be much less than had been an
ticipated. At that time the revelry
of the night, which was like that of
New Year eve in New York, had
danced and footed themselves into
weariness Men and women nodded
along miles of curbs on the route of
the procession or huddled against
| buildings fast asleep.
Thousands of others made their
beds in st. James and Green Parks.
/ The more orderly Londoners enjoyed
nearly their normal repose on their
own pillows, so there was really
nothing frantic attending the scenes
preceding the arousing of the city for
day charged with so much national
significance.
The troops quartered in the various
camps in the city turned out at $3.50
O'Clock to begin mobolizing, meeting
on their way London's boobies, who
were being conveyed to their assigned
stetions in motor busses. This dual
force, as large as Uncle Sans stand
ing army, was moved with a precision
well-nigh sinister-at least it had that
effect seemingly on the crowds.
The absence of a moderate amount
of excitement and an entire dearth of
deviltry made the occasion seem bit
drab. Persons who had left their
beds at daybreak found that they
might have had three hours more
sleep.
The streets were always accessible.
The formidable barriers, against
which widespread criticism had been
raised, were never called into use to
the extent of the gates being closed,
serving instead, as signs telling peo-
pie to beware of the dog.
1t must be borne in mind that there
were more than enough people to oc-
cupy every inch of space along the
route, but there was no fighting for
places and no disorderly scenes such
as. make unwieldy crowds menace.
Although not brilliant by any
means, the day did its best to over
come the fearsomeness of the crowds.
The wind whipped out the flags loose
from the decorations into messy
flutter, stirring the artificial flowers
to fictitious life and took enough sui
triness out of the air to make it in
vigorating. In fact, the temperature
was preferable to a sunny day.
Estimates are difficult, but the best
authenticated place the number who
actually viewed the procession at a
million people. These assembled be-
fore o'clock. The public stands,
where the seats cost from 1 to 10
guineas, were completely filled. Late
arrivals in London who were need
lessly alarmed over their probable in
ability to see the procession, paid ex-
orbitant prices, in one case giving
$3.50 for room at the Ritz with two
small windows which accommodated
six persons.