Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-12
Thirty-Second Triennial Con-
cIave Is Opened With
10000 in Line.
GOV. AMMONS AND MAYOR
PERKINS MAKE ADDRESSES
Washington Commanderies Among
Last to ArTive-Grand Master
Melish to Represent Britain.

DENVER, Col. August 12-with the
grand parade of 10000 knights Templar,
the thirty second triennial conclave for
mally opened in Denver this morning
Promptly at 1890 o'clock the calls Of
buglers sounding the forward march
brought into official life the conclave
which is regarded by many sir knights
as the most ambitious in the history of
the order.
The parade was divided into fourteen
divisions with from 800 to 1900 in each.
Escorting the Knights Templar was Sir
Alexander Nisbet. director of police, with
his assistants, followed by the mounted
police and police aids. Sir John Chase,
Denver. grand marshal of parade, pre-
ceded Sir Arthur Williams, chief of staff,
+, who was followed by the grand mar
shars staff and personal aids, and the
aids representing grand communicates.
California Knights Lead.
The first division was led by California
Commandery. No. 1. arrayed in gorgeous
costumes of mounted knights, sitting on
coal black steeds, aids to officers of the
Grand Encampment. On foot came the
Trinity Commandery. No. "A, Cincinnati,
Eminent Sir Edward NJ. Woolley, COM
manding, as special escort to the grand
master.
Most Eminent Sir William Bromwell
Melish, grand master of the Grand En-
campment, Knights Templar OF the
United States of America rode In the
first carriage Right Eminent Sir Arthur
McArthhr, deputy grand master of the
Grand Encampment: Most Eminent Sir
Philip D. Gordon, supreme grand master
Of the Sovereign Great Prfory, X. T., OF
grand captain general of the Grand En-
campment; Most Eminent Sir William
p. Ryrie past supreme grand master
of the Sovereign Great Priory, occupied
carriages behind that Of the grand
master.
State Communicates Follow.
Then came the communicates Of the
various states, who were arranged in
thirteen divisions.
Several scores Of bands interspersed
throughout the line played the marital
airs of the Templars' faith, predominant
among which was :.Onward, Christian
Soldiers.s ----ss]
In the afternoon Gov. Elias Ammons
of Colorado addressed the Knights Tenn
plar, at Ell Jebel Temple in behalf OF
the state. and Mayor John NJ, Perkins
in behalf Of the city. Most Eminknt
Sir William Bromwel Melish. GRIND
master Of the Grand Encampment Ire
sponded for the Templars.
Later the Grand Encampment convkned
in secret session, at which only knights
Templar who have az t-ained the exklted
position of past grand commanded are
eligible to membership. At this meeting
the business of the order was discussed.
At night the first of the drills WIS to
be given by Damascus CommanderN No.
~, Detroit, at the drill stadium.
District Knights Last to ArrivA
Throughout the day yesterday. fRm
sunrise until late at night, special trains
pulled into the city at frequent intervalA
d;scharging their burdens Of sir knights.
who were escorted by fellow knights of
the Colorado Communicates to their hos
telries. With trains laden with knights
Templar came other trains carrying tour
lists and visiting spectators by the thou
sands. who added to the gayety of the
invasion of the soldiers of the cross
Among the last to arrive in special
train was Columbia Commandery, No. 2.
Washington, d. c.. accompanied by
Billy" the commandery goat. Damas-
Gus Commandery. Detroit. also arrived
late. but gave a sample of drilling at the
station. to the delight of the thousands
gathered there to welcome the invading
knights.
The entire day was spent by sir
knights of various Communicates, gath
cred from all points of the compass,
in renewing old acquaintances and
forming new ones. All Communicates
kept open house at their respective
headquarters Immediately upon their
arrival and the receptions were con-
lnued throughout the day.
To Represent England.
Late in the day William b. Melish,
Grand Master of the Grand Encamp-
ment. announced that he had received
credentials from the Duke Of Con-
naught to represent officially the Grand
Priory Of England and Wales at the
official banquet to the Grand Encamp-
ment Wednesday night. Grand Com
mander Melish will appear at this ban
quest dressed in the robes of the order
OF Great Britain, the first time the
British Templar uniform ever has been
worn i'll this country.
Last night the opening banquet Of
the conclave was rendered the Grand
Encampment officers and members by
Denver Commandcry, No. 25, in the
Broadway Theater and later the Grand
Encampment officers and members were
honor guests at banquet given by
Colorado Commandery, No. /. at Ell
Jebel Temple.