The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-14
LONDON WEEPS
FOR EXPLORERS
Impressive Memorial
Service for Capt.
Scott and Crew
Not A Dry Eye In Saint PauI's
Historic Cathedral Assem-
bIage Today


London. Feb liking George of
England wept unabashed while the
Lords of the Admiralty, cabinet mis-
listers and brilliantly uniformed mem
bers of the diplomatic corps of all the
nations of the earth let the tears
course down their cheeks and at
times the vast throng cried aloud, to-
day, when London honored Captain
Robert Falcon Scott and his comrades,
heroes Of the Antarctic, in the most
impressive memorial service since the
death of the late King Edwarl VII.
And the wet eyes of the people were
not dried by the thought of the little
father1ess boy. hugging to his breast
Captain scott's last picture ito keep
daddy warm" nor Of the little widow
at sea somewhere on the Pacific
ocean, nervously wishing his ship
would go faster that she might sooner
meet the hero-husband not knowing
that even now his dead body lies be-
meath the SHOWS at the bottom of the
world.
The service, held in historic st.
Paul's cathedral, brought together the
most imposing gathering of royalty,
diplomats, distinguished professional
people, dignftaries of church and the
state and society notables London has
ness, it was expected the scott mem
orfal service. surpassed that held little
less than a year age for the victims
of the Titanic.
= King George V. representative of
Queen Mary, Admiral Lord Charles
Berr esford, second Lord of the Admir-
atty, Premier Herbert Henry Asqu1th,
Sir Edward Grey, secretary of state
for foreign affairs David Lloyd
George, chancellor of the. exchequer,
Scott J. E. Z. seIey. secretary Of state
for wer, and other cabinet ministers
and government officials occupied
prominent sections Of the cathedral.
Members of the diplomatic corps,
admirals at home, naval commanders
and distinguished people were present.
The members Of the North British
Antarctic society and many other
a cleared and guarded place in the
center of the. cathedral were 200 rel
atiFes and close friends OF the dead
explorers.
The absence from among the cabi-
net ministers Of winston Spencer
Churchill. first lord Of the admiralty,
occasioned considerable comment. 1t
was explained by Admiral Lord Chas.
Berresford, second Lord of the admir-
atty, that Churchill was unavoidably
absent because of extremely urgent
departmental business.
The King, the Admiralty and war
officers, army and navy officers and
was one of the most brilliant assemb-
lages ever seen in st. Paul'e.
The Dean of St PauPs officiated ana
the Archbishop of Canterbury and
other Church of England dignitarfes
were present.
Crock of Ages" sung by a huge
services and while. the band of the
Co1dstream Guards softly played the
Dead March from Sau1,'' solemn
prayers were offered for the repose of
the souls of the dead heroes The
dean mentioned each of the five men
Scott
By the time the first song was end
ed there was not a dry eye in the
cathedral and the King allowed the
tears to roll down his cheeks uncheck-
ed. The sobs of the relatives of the
explorers puEctuated the prayers for
the dead and SO affected the vast au-
dience that nearly everyone was weep
ing audibIyi by the time the service
was concluded with the Joint Singing
of ''Jesus, Lover of My Soul
They stried to sing but the medley
of groanS, sobs and sIrieks made sad
work of the song.
The scene was such as has not been
seen in London since the great MEM
oria1 service for the victims of the I'll
tanic disaster which, by the way as
was noted by the crowd, this AFTER
noon, was likewise a tragedy of the
ice S1multaneously. with the memoir
ial in St PauI's, the pupils of every
school. throughout Great Britain stood
with bowed heads at their desks while
the instructors read to them the story
of Captain SCOTS dash to the bottom
of the world and his heroic and pathe-
tic death on the return Journey.
The teachers emphasized the fact
that Scott and his mates left no word
of complaint BY such examples, they
said, Britaiuis4 manhood and bravery
should be maintained.
The service was set. for noon but by
1890 more than 5000 persons were at
the doors clamoring FOR admission.
Double guards of police kept the
crowds back until those most intimate
ly concerned were in their places in |
the cathedral. Then there was room !
inside for only small part of the |
crowd.
While the services were going on, |
thousands about the building stood pa
tiently with uncovered heads and
when the strains of the sacred and |
solemn music drifted out the street |
crowds, too, wept |
And from the throng without there |
went up many a silent prayer for the |
widow far out the broad Pacific |
sailing buoyantly to meet her hus.
band, perhaps not knowing that his |
body lies buried in the snowe |
of the Antarctic.
Bloomaeld-The members of theI
Congregational church here are hold |