Evening star., 1921-08-25
PUBLIC FUNERAL
| LIKELY FOR zR-2
| DEAD|N ENGLAND
Disaster Casts Pail Over
London-Wives of Ameri-
cans Grief-Stricken.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, August 25.-The American
and British victims of the disaster to
the ZR-2 at Hull last evening will be
accorded great public funeral, prob
ably in London, it is believed. The air
ministry had the project under ad-
Sisement and an announcement re-
garding it was expected at any time.
Meanwhile all England, profoundly
stirred by the destruction of the giant
dirigible-the greatest of all air dis
Rsters-is giving expression to it's
deep feeling of mourning for the VIC
Tins and sympathy for those be-
reaved. In London the atmosphere to-
day was somewhat akin to that which
followed the receipt of news of a seri-
Gus disaster during the war days. At
theair ministry. which yesterday was
beehive of activity with elaborate
preparations for the transatlantic
flight. there was today a sensible de-
preston on all sides.
Brides Awaiting Departure.
1t was at Howden, Hull. Leeds and
neighboring towns, however, where
lived the wives and relatives of some
of the men whose lives were snuffed
out by the disaster, that the loss was
were the English brides of nine of the
American enlisted men who came to
England for the transocean flight.
These young women had been eagerly
awaiting the time of the ZR-2's start
for America and had expected soon
to follow on board government
transport to their new homes.
Tho American dead included two
members of the American Legion
Lieut.. Little and Lloyd E. Crowel. me-
chanic. Several of the British VIC
Tins were members of the British Lee
gion of Former Service Men. Both
these organizations will be represent
ed at the funeral services.
AS the dirigible was still British
property, not having yet been turned
over to the American authorities. all
Investigations of the calamity will be
supervised by the British air minis
try.
King Sends Message.
Foremost among the expressions of
coincidence was one from King
George. His majesty, telegraphing
from Balmoral to Air Marshal
Trenchard at the air ministry, said:
IT am shocked and grieved to hear
of the terrible disaster which has be-
fallen airship R-3S Cthe British num-
Der of the big dirigible). resulting in
the loss of many valuable lives of
American and British. with the rela-
tives of whom 1 sympathize. / shall
anxiously await further information.
(Signed) GEORGE r. l.
"Chief of Royal Air Forces"
Commander Brooke Popham Of the
research department and Maj. Cooper
of the investigation branch Of the
air ministry have gone to Hull to in
vestigate the cause of the disaster.
A conference of air ministry officials
was called this morning. and it con-
sidered the project of holding a public
funeral for the victims. possibly in
St. Paurs Cathedral in this city.
Lord Lee of Fareham, first lord of
the admiralty. this morning tele-
phoned Commander Harry L. Pence.
naval attache at the American en-
loss Of American lives in the airship
disaster. He extended. on behalf of
himself and the admiralty. condolences
to their bereaved relatives.
Country Profoundly Stirred.
England was profoundly stirred by
ne destruction of the ZR-2. People
were accustomed to airships sailing
quietly and safely far overhead, and
dispatches telling OF the collapse of
the dirigible' caused a sensation.
The impression made upon the pub
hc was reflected in newspapers this
morning. all of them expressing pro-
found sympathy for the relatives of
the men who met death. regret over
the loss of the majestic vessel and
thankfulnesS over the narrow escape
of the town of Hull from a terrific
calamity.
Pending the inquiry. which. it is as
sumed. will be of searching charac-
tragedy are merely speculative. but
it is recalled that during the nine-hour