Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-06
THUNDER OF CANNON
ANNOUNCES RETURN
OF KING AND QUEEN
Great Britain's Royal Pair Ar
rived Amid Salvos at Ports
mouth Monday Morning
Aboard the Medina
tsy Associated. Press.

a
PORTSMOUTH, England, Feb. o.
King Geirge and Queen Mary, on board
the steamship Medina, entered Ports
mouth harbor this morning on their re-
turn from the Durbar. "A large fleet of
warships and merchantmen welcomed
them home. The anchored ships were bril-
liantly dressed with flags for the occa-
sion. The only ceremony as the Medina
steamed through the lines was the Dip
ping of flags
The Queen Mother Alexandra, the roy
al children and many members Of the
court went on board the kings ship early
in the day, and took breakfast with
their majesties. a. 4.-.
The Mediha IN nntering the harbor
passed close TO the spot where the Brit
/ ish submarine AS sank on Friday. The
vessels In charge Of the salvage opera
tions anchored over the sunken vessel,
Joined in the saIute to the king and
queen.
King George and queen Mary have re-
turned from journey that marks a prec-
edent in joint trips of king and queen
of Great Britain and Ireland.
After an absence of three months,
during which they had been crowned en-
peror and empress of India and had
received the homage of many of their
princely vassaIs in the vast eastern en-
pire, they were welcomed back to Lon
don.
Their stay in the British Isles will be
only a short one. as they are due to
pay round of state visits to European
courts this spring and summer.
After brealfastiIlg on board the Me-
dina with Queen Mother Alexandra. the
prince of Wales and the other royal
children, their 1naJesties suites and were
saluted by the guns Of the forts around
Portsmouth. On quays were drawn
guards of honor of bluejackets and SOL
diers, who presented arms, while mil
itary band played the national an
them.
The king inspected the guard of honor
and then boarded "a special train, in which
he with the queen and the royal chill
dren Travelled to London through country
covered thickly with snow. All the sta
tons along the route we're decked with
flags.
Many notables were waiting at Victoria
station when the train pulled in soon
after midday. An archway bearing the
words "Welocme Home" was erected
across the platform, where their majes-
ties alighted,s
Premier Asouith with other members
of the cabinet were the first to greet
the king and queen Then came group
of members of the diplomatic CORPS and
officers of the arnS and navy in bril-
liant UNIFORMS. Inc lOt0 AndgOA EaAA0 N4AS
sheriff of London and the lords mayor
of the principal cities of the British Isles,
all wearing their regalia, also were pres
ent to welcome the king and queen.
When the greetings were over, pro-
cession of five royal carriages was form
ed The king and queen, with the prince
of Wales and Princess Mary, occupied
the first carriage. With its escort of life
guards in their brilliant uniforms, the
n
ace, passing through Victoria street to
Parliament square and then along White
hall and the Mall through streets throng-
ed with cheering enthusiasts.
Religious services of thanksgiving for
the safe return of king and queen from
the first visit ever paid by reigning SOW
ereigns of Great Britain and Ireland
to their Indian possessions took place
this afternoon in Westminster abbey
and the churches throughout the British
Isles.
An interesting little incident happened
I'm Victoria street as the kings carriage
passed the American embassy. King
George stood up in the carriage, turned
toward the embassy and saluted the
stars and Stripes flying over the en-
trance His majesty's action drew an
additional cheer from the crowd gathered
in the vicinity.
The enthusiasm Of the crowds reached
its climax at Buckingham palace. After
their maejsties had entered, the thou
sands of people who had assembled
around the, ratings sang successfully
God Save the King" "Auld Lang Syne,"
s'aome. Sweet Home" and Hes Jolly
Good Fellow Their majesties respond
ed to this demonstration by appearing on
the balcony of the first floor, when they
were greeted with salvos of cheering.