Evening star., 1953-03-25
World Mourns
Queen Mary,
Dead at IS
Coronation Events
To Go On in Line
With Her Wishes
BY the Associated Press

LONDON, Mar. 25.-Millions
around the world today mourned
Britain's grand old Queen Mary.
The symbol of British monarchy
-Queen-Empress for 26 years,
mother of two sovereigns and
grandmother of a third-died
peacefully in her sleep last night
at the age of IS.
Queen Elizabeth II today de-
creed months mourning for
Queen Mary, thus carrying out
the wish of her grandmother
that nothing interfere with Eliz-
abeth'S coronation in June. End
ing the period of mourning after
a month will allow plenty of
time for pre-coronation arrange
mentS and activities.
Royal Family Present.
Queen Elizabeth, accompanied
by the Duke of Edinburgh, was
among the descendants of Queen
Mary who drove slowly up to
Marlborough House today. All
were attired in deep mourning.
Their faces were heavy with
grief and they bowed their heads
as they walked into Queen Mary's
home to discuss funeral arrange
mentS.
Queen Elizabeth and her hus-
band stayed for 40 minutes.
Other visitors included the Queen
Mother Elizabeth, Princess Mar
garet, the Duke of Windsor, the
Duchess of Kent widow of
Mary's fifth child and the Arch
bishop of Canterbury.
The Duke of Windsor-Queen
Mary's favorite son who re-
nounced the throne in 1886 to
marry Wallis Warfield Simpson,
an American divorce, drove up
alone. In New York, the Duchess
said she was greatly distressed
by the news of the Queens
death and had Cancelled all social
arrangements. The Duchess had
never been received by her
mother-in-law.
The funeral probably will not
be held at Westminster Abbey
because of the coronation build
ing work IN progress there. The
services may be conducted at
st. Paul's Cathedral in London
or in st. Georges Chapel at
Windsor Castle. Queen Mary
will be buried beside her hus-
band, George V, in ST. Georges
Chapel, ancient burial place of
Britain's kings and queens.
Months ago the -willed
old grandmother, in speaking to
friends about the coronation,
said, nothing must interfere
with it. Nothing"
Ill Over a Month.
Queen Mary had been i'll for
more than a month with what
her doctor described as a gastric
ailment. The exact nature of
her illness has not been dis
closed.
Her death came at 1920 pm.
(5:20 pm. EST, within hours
of a sudden turn for the worse
in her condition. Only the day
before she had been reported
improving.
Prime Minister Winston
Churchill, himself only seven
years younger than the old
Queen, gave the hushed House
of Commons-and the world
the first news of her death last
night.
Holding a single sheet of white
paper in his trembling hand,
the dinner-jacketed government
leader said in a voice breaking
with sobS: "Mr. Speaker, I rise
to move adjournment of the
House. have with great regret
to make the announcement that
Queen Mary has died"
Asks House Sympathy.
Today Mr.. Churchill, dressed
in solemn black, rose in the
House of Commons and asked
for approval of a formal resolu-
ton of sympathy to Queen Eliz-
abeth II on the death of Queen
Mary. The resolution was ap-
proved unanimously.
The 78-year-old Prime Min
lister, whose path had crossed
Mary's repeatedly through two
wars and in five reigns, paid
(Sne OTIFFN NTAPV poon A2N