The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-06-17
CORONATION
next WEEK
London Plans Holiday on a
Colossal Scale
BEAUTY HIDDEN By STANDS
GREAT PALACES AND ANCIENT.
STREETS COMPLETELY CHANG
ED BY MAMMOTH, STANDS
ERECTED TO SEAT THOUSANDS
OF sIeHTsEERs.

London, June 1.-THE final prepara-
tons for the coronation festivities
through next week are rapidly being
brought to a close, and the city is
fast being given over to spirit of
holiday rejoicing on colossal scale,
with untold thousands of visitors from
America and other parts of the world
here, to join in the royal demonstra-
ton.
notable feature along the lines
of route to be followed by the newly
crowned king, in his procession through
the streets OF London next Thursday
and Friday, is the almost complete
transformation Of familiar sights.
Churches, ancient edifices, public build
ings and open spaces, business
premises and private residences have
entirely changed their appearance.
Starting with the Westminster Abby
itself, the annex added to increase the
accommodation has altered its aspect
almost alarmingly, although efforts
were exerted TO lend an air Of age to
the stucco addition.
The parliamentary church of st.
Margaret and the adjacent parliament
square are unrecognisable in conse-
quence of the gigantic stands covered
with purple bunting, surrounding and
hiding them from view. On the latter
spot the statue of Lord Beaconsfield
appears to look down on the passing
procession as from private box at
theatre, for 1t is enclosed In a square
wooden palisade reaching to the breast.
Then along Whitehall, stand after
stand varies the usual appearance Of
the imposing government offices and
the old fashioned admiralty. At Ira
falgar square Landseer's lions have
disappeared under timber tiers of
seats. old Saint Martins in the Fields
is cloaked in bunting and surrounded
by crowded stands.
In response TO many petitions from
participants in the coronation cere-
monfal, the office Of works has decided
to permit those present to purchase as
souvenirs the chairs and stools on
which they sat, all of which are mark
ed with the word Coronation and en-
bossed with the crown and the date OF
the occurrence.
The onerous duty Of the disposition
of the guests has fallen on the Earl
Marshal, the duke of Norfolk, who for
many weeks has been the busiest man
in England. His task was rendered
all the more difficult by reason of the
fact that the space in Westminster
Abbey is very limited and before he
was able to take into consideration
any of the thousands of applications
for invitations from the distinguished
visitors and others DESTROYS Of being
present, he was compelled to provide
sitting room for no fewer than 1910
official guests.
These guests comprised forty mem
bers of the royal family, $50 foreign
rulers and representatives Of foreign
states, I,450 peers and peeresses, $40
members of parliament, 800 members Of
the diplomatic corps, privy councillors,
bishops and judges. 500 official colonial
representatives and 73O o:icers of the
army and navy, kings councillors and
members of the royal household. AS
the Abbey is capable of holding only
slightly under 5000, there remained
only about 1000 places to be disposed
Of by the unofficial public. A large
staff was engaged in the Earl Marshals
office for over a month in sending out
courteous refusals.
A peculiar dilemma arising out of
the scarcity Of first class carriage
horses which has developed since the
universal introduction OF the motor
car, affected many members OF the
peerage and ancient nobility particle
pating prominently in the regal func-
tions and professions of the coronation
The question OF horsing the cumber-
some but elegantly emblazoned family
state coaches which have been in SER
vice sometimes for centuries. on such
occasions became in many cases acute
and recourse had to be had for their
supply not only tostfe stables Of coun-
try mansions, where most of the ami
mails are now kept. but to the public
livery stables, who for time enjoyed
something Of their prestige.
No fewer than $4,000 troops, COM
prising representative regiments Of
the regular army. the yeomanry, the
territorial volunteers, and attachments
from Canada, South Africa, Ceylon,
Honkong, the Malay States, Malta,
Bermuda and the West Indian colonies,
together with naval brigade, are to
be engaged in keeping the routes along
the line OF the procession. These are
under the supreme command OF Field
Marshall Lord Kitchener, who was spe-
cially appointed to the post by the king.
In addition to the military, the en-
tire police forces OF the city and OF
greater London numbering altogether
over 10000 men mounted or on foot,
are assisting in keeping order.
TO avoid the terrible consequences
OF possible rushes into the main
thoroughfares from side streets, bar
riers OF timber are erected at the most
dangerous street functions.