The Indianapolis times., 1932-05-12
FRANCE PAYS
SLAIN DOUMER
LAST TRIBUTE
Million MournerS Line
Route of Cortege at
Rites of President.
FULL MILITARY P0MP
Diplomats of 40 Nations in
Procession; Strict Guard
Against Trouble.
BY RALPH HEINZEN
United Press stah Correspondent

PARIS, May lz.-dedFy, ram
laden skies cast mourning over all
France today as the nation buried
its murdered president. Paul Dou-
mer, with the fullest military and
civil ceremonial.
The funeral procession left the
Elysee palace at 8 a. m. as a million
persons lined the route to Notre
Dame cathedral and the Pantheon.
the nations political shrine.
The prince OF Wales, the king Of
the Belgians. the duke of Aosta,
Prince Paul of Serbia and diplomats
of forty nations walked in the rain
behind the hearse. Ambassador
Walter E. Edge represented Presi-
dent Hoover.
After mass at the cathedral, DCu-
mers body was taken TO the Pan
theon and placed on a catafalque.
A smoking urn stood at each corner
of the catalfalque. Injured war vet
erans grouped on the sides carried
historic battle flags.
Elaborate Precautions Taken
Premier Andre Tardieus funeral
grafton was broadcast. Thousands
Of troops then paraded past the
Pantheon and dipped their flags in
honor of Doumer.
Eight black horses drew the
hearse through the dismal streets.
Thousands Of troops marched to the
beat of muffled drums.
Robed barristers. members of the
academies and the university facul-
ties, parliamentarians and the cab
met, led by President Albert Lebrun
and Premier Andrew Tardieu and
Doumer's family. kept pace with the
solemn funeral tread.
Most elaborate precautions. sim
liar to those enforced when Dou-
mer's successor was elected at Yer
sailles. we're taken to prevent pos
sible attempts at violence.
Early this morning police made a
house to house inspection of bal
comics along the route where bombs
or arms might be hidden. The
streets between the Elysee, Notre
Dame cathedral. and the Pantheon
we're lined with troops standing
shoulder to shoulder with fixed
bayonets
Procession Two Miles Long
The funeral procession was two
miles long, which meant that
mounted troops at the head of the
line arrived at Notre Dame before
the final delegations left the Elysee.
Schools and business houses were
closed. Mourning was observed
throughout the nation.
The most solemn part Of the
ceremony took place at Notre Dame
where the presidents body was
placed on q catafalque seventeen
feet high, drapsd in black. beneath
a canopy Of black lined with the
tricolor of France. Candles cast the
only light On the scene.
Requiem mass was said by Car
dinal Verdier. archbishop of Paris.
The procession then climbed the
hills above Paris to the Pantheon,
where Doumer's body will rest until
it is removed to the family cemetery
for burial beside his sons who died
in the World war.
Thousands of Pilgrims
Police particularly we're strict in
guarding the prince of Wales, King
Albert and other royal representa-
tiyes. They would not allow photo
graphers or journalists even to ap-
proach any member Of the royal
party. from the time the members
of ruling houses reached Paris.
Thousands of Parisians and pill
grims from all parts OF France as
sembled along the funeral route be-
fore dawn, squatting on boxes and
stools and eating sandwiches as they
held their vantage points.
Balconies of hotels and other
public and private buildings along
the route were rented two days in
advance. There we're many tour
lists among the spectators.
The public was kept away from
the Elysee palace, which was sur
rounded by troops and republican
guards wearing their brilliant uni
forms and flowing red plumes.
Floral offerings from all parts OF
the world were carried in six funeral
cars drawn by black horses.