The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 13

THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1925. 13 THE LAST HOURS SHIPPING HELD UP BY FOG MARKS OF PUBLIC SQRROW. DEATH OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA. ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP ELECTRIC CABLE. GELIGjVITE used.

ISLE OF MAN PASSENGERS' TWO DAYS AND NIGHTS AT MERSEY BAR. PEACEFUL PASSING EARLY LAST EVENING. FULL DAY'S BELAY ON DUBLIN CROSSING. BELFAST BOAT UNABLE TO REACH FLEETWOOD. THE KING AND HER DAUGHTERS AT HER BEDSIDE.

A LONG LIFE OF GRAQIOUS SERVICE. We deeply regret to announce the death Of Queen Alexandra, which took place at Sandringham House early last evening, within a fortnight of her 81 8t birthday. The official announcement follows: Sandringham, Friday, 5 45 p.m. to-dST Majesty Queen Alexandra Passed away peacefully at 5 25 p.m. the members of the at (Signed) F.

J. Witlans. Thomas Horder. All the dead Queen's surviving childrenthe King, the Princess Royal (his eldest sister). Princess Victoria, and Queen Maud of Norway were with their mother.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York heard of the news on their way to Sandringham. Two bulletins had been issuer! during the day. The first (at 8 a.m.) said that the patient had passed a peaceful night but had lost strength, and the second (at 2 30 p.m.) announced that the heart attack which on Thursday began the last brief illness had been repeated and that, as a result. Queen Alexandra was rapidly sinking. Yesterday the Guildhall luncheon in honour of the Prince was cancelled when it was known that there was no hope at Sandringham, and later in the day there followed announcements of the postponement of public and semi-public functions arranged for the next few days.

Last night's wireless programme was recast and to-day's has been cancelled, a special programme taking its place. It is learned officially that arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed, but the strong probability is that Queen Alexandra's remains will find a resting'place beside those of King Edward at Windsor. Biographical notice and illustrations and other news connected with the death appear on the next three pages. SAXDRINGHAMS MOURNING. A PERSONAL LOSS TO THE VILLAGERS.

(Fiom our Special Correspondent.) Sakdkikgham, Fbiday, 7 P.M. The bell of Dersingham Church is tolling with a gentle and musical, rather than mournful, note, to say what ail the people in these cottage homes adjacent to Sandringham are already grieving about-, that Queen Alexandra has passed away. It comes to them as a sorrow already foreseen. "The people seem different since yesterday morning," said a woman with whom I walked through the white mist this evening as she came from Ler work on the Sandringham. estate.

They are so quiet and sad. They are thinking of what ifc will be when Queen Alexandra has gone. She will be sadly wanted." The news of the serious heart attack yesterday morning came as a great shock to the people of the household and on the estate. It meant a cloud of gloom over the two villages of Sandringham and Dersingham for the connection between the Hall and the little homes is very close, and numbers of people go daily to their work in the Hall or its wide grounds. If it was not for Sandringham Hall," said nn old man to-day, "these villages would not exist.

In spite of Queen Alexandra's great age and of the knowledge that there had been an earlier heart attack, the people had not faced the possibility of her death coming soon she was wonderfully -well, they had said; the doctors had said so. She was but- rounded with every care, and she had many interests in her life. They were looking forward to her pleasure in the celebrations that were being prepared for her eighty-first birthday, sure of her hnppy appreciation. It was true that she had been failing of late, but "to-day everyone was speaking of her recent drive to King's Lynn and of her drive three or four days ago about these country roads. She dia not look very different, they said, and she smiled and nodded as usual at the people as she passed.

The Heart Attacks. For the past two or thiee days she had not been up for lunch, but that did not seem serious. The severity of the heart attack yesterday morning, "however, caused great alarm to the nurse who was in attendance, and she sent hastily for the doctor. When the staff about the grounds saw the King enter half an hour later thev tealised at once how critical the position was. Sir Thomas Horder when he arrived from London took the gravest view, and it was not then expected that Queen Alexandra would live a through the night.

jfe he did not lose consciousness with the. first attack, and I am told that, in spite oi tne recurring heart attacks this morning, which so quickly drained her resistant power, she still. remained conscious most of the time, though she was very weak and quiet. Outsiders were not admitted to the grounds to-day: the many people from the district who called to make inquiries wrote their names in the visitors' book at the lodge by the gate and drove away again. Inside the house perfect quiet was maintained.

The King and Queen, who were at the Hall till late la3t night, spent most of their time in Queen Alexandra's room to-day, and if the King had to go back to York Cottage he returned to his mother as soon as possible. Her daughters the Queen of Norway and Princess Victoria were with her, and the Princess Royal arrived early this aftfivnoon. She was met at the station by Princess Arthur of Connaught, who gave her the latest news in the royal waiting-room before they drove away to Sandringham. PRINCE JUST TOO LATE. Everyone was wondering when the Prince of Wales would get here.

There were rumours that the Guildhall luncheon had been cancelled, and that he would he here at an early hour, but that the royal family were very anxious that he should keep his engagement with the City. It was realised that. Queen Alexandra herself would have been greatly distressed if she could have known that the arrangements had been upset. The heavy fog which lay over the Fen country delayed the train in which the Prince and the Duke of York travelled, and before they reached the station word had come to the station-master that Queen Alexandra had passed away. The brothers looked anxious and troubled as they alighted, and, indeed, the delay must have intensified their impatience.

The Prince of Wales had obviously hoped against hope, for he had brought with him two of his small terriers for which his grandmother had a special affection. He passed into-the royal waiting-room, where the news was broken to him that he had come too late. Then the brothers got into the waiting car and drove to Sandringham, going slowly because the tog was now more dense. There was no crowd at the gates after the news came, nor had groups of people been waiting there for news during the day. The Villagers' Grief.

As one gazed from the road there eeemed an air of loneliness about the home where Queen Alexandra lay dying. A dreary mist bangs over the countryside. The great entrance gates, to which one comes through a lonely wooded road, stood black and sharply defined, and the wide drive leading to the almost hidden house looked empty and forlorn. One had expected to see groups of people standing in the road, but there was no one in sight 'except the-policeman on duty. Nor did one see people standing in the village streets to discuss "the news.

This seemed strange and remote, yet as the day went on one realised that Queen Alexandra was wrapped about with the loving thought of the people. They djd not need to gather at the sates for news all day members of the official and domestic staffs were pass ing Detween the nail and tne villages, and the people knew of the Queen's condition from hour to hour. But, they could sneak to a stranser about their beloved ladv speak "in quiet tones with sunerlatives of admiration and love. An olrt irian. who looked back the davs of his bovhood when he first saw the lovely young Princess, KING'S TELEGRAM TO LORD MAYOR.

TOLLING OF THE GREAT ST. PAUL'S BELL CANCELLED FUNCTIONS. Messages of condolence poured into Sandringham last night from all quarters, and wherever public gatherings were held there were expressions of sorrow and sympathy. Many public, and semi-public functions arranged for the next few days have been cancelled. A special meeting of the House of Lords has been called for Monday, and there will be a motion of indolence and eulogy in the Commons on Tuesday.

The Lord Mayor "of London yesterday evening received the following telegram from the King Regret to inform you my beloved mother, Queen Alexandra, passed away peacefully at 5 25 this evening: G.R.I. The telegram was posted outside the Mansion House. The Lord Mayor sent the news to the canon in residence at St. Paul's in order that the ercat bell Great- Paul should be tolled in accordance with custom on the occasion of a death in the Royal Family. The beil, which weighs eight tons, is only tolled upon the death of royalty.

occasion it was used was to announce the death of Kine; Edward VII. 'The text of the Lord Mayor's telegram to the King was as follows: On behalf of the citizens of London, I beg your Majesty to accept their profound sympathy and condolence on the death of your illustrious mother, Queen Alexandra. Her Majesty has been loved and deeply revered from her marriage sixty-two years ago until now, and her passing away not only removes a much-respected and universally popular personality, but severs a link with the past which will he greatly deplored. Wiixiam Phykb, Lord Mayor, London. The Prime Minister sent a personal message of condolence to the King.

Immediately the news was received it was communicated by the Foreign Office to the various Ambassadors accredited to the Court of St. James's and to the Ministers of other foreign States. Messages of regret were sent to Mr. Austen Chamberlain, as the King's representative, by members of the foreign colonies in London. Flags were flown at half-mast over all Government and many other public buildings last sight.

DINNER TO BE HELD BY ROYAL REQUEST. PRINCE HENRY AND CHARITY. Prince Henry has expressed a wish that the annual dirner in aid of the appeal for Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford, London, at which he was to preside on Monday at the Hotel Vietoiia, shall take place iri order that the charity shall not suffer. Lord Birkenhead has consented to take the place of the Prince. HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED IN LONDON.

WEST END SHOPS PUT OUT THEIR LIGHTS. Special editions of the evening papers containing the announcement of the doath were eagerly bought up by the thousands of City and West End workers on their way home from business, and in the streets as well as in trains, trams, and 'buses. Tcl-lowing the brief announcement in the Hie snap editions of the evening papers. laKr editions were published with black holders containing fuller details of the Queen Mother's passing away. Jllourning bands on the contents bills also 'caught the eye at every corner.

Large crowds of people weia drawn to Marlborough House, where the bulletin containing the announcement of the death was issued, and to Buckingham Palace. There were marked signs of mourning in the vVest End of London last night. M-jtny of the larger shops extinguished the in their windows and put up the rhutters before iheir accustomed time. One large Oxjord street store led the way ty extinguishing the brilliant flood-lighting of their Oxford Street building and drawing all the blinds as soon aa ihey received the news. 'Xhey also placed black-edged notices in the windows announcing the death.

At most of the kinemas the performances were stopped while the news was 'hrown upon the screen. MANCHESTER'S SYMPATHY. Ihe following is a copy of a telegram sent to the King by the Lord Mayor and citizens of Manchester: On hehalf of the citizens of Manchester I desire to express to your Majesty our sorrow on receiving the sad intelligence of the death oi her "Majesty Queen Alexandra. By her constant and ready support of all movements to alleviate suffering her Majesty won the hearts ot the people, and we humbly join in the national offerings of loyal and lespectful sympathv to your Majesty and her Majesty the Queen and the members of the Royal Family. Miles Mitchell (Lord Mayor of Manchester).

The news of ihe death of Queen Alexandra arrived too late in Manchester to make any change in the theatrical arrangements, but at most of the places' or amusement the orchestra at the conclusion of the ordinary performance played the Dead March from Saul or Chopin's "Funeral March." At the Manchester Hippodrome, in addition, a laurel wreath was thrown on the screen, with tie words "In profound reverence to our beloved Queen Mother." The dance arranged at the Queen's Hotel was cancelled and the ballroom closed. and the shouts of laughter, in which the courtiers joined," added greatly to our embarrassment. This trivial episode was remembered by her in -ifter and inspired a very special smile in her stiff ceremonials which became part of my diplomatic duties in Copenhagen. Latterly Tier deafness cut dier off from much human intercourse, so that she became an emblem- more than a person an emblem of a past age, yet alwayB an emblem of youth; a figure reminiscent-of -past-splendours and past troubles not a commanding personality, not a mind. that counted, not a name for history; but a ray of sunshine which no cloud of calumny pr shadow of evil-ever obscured SABOTAGE IN THE SCOTTISH SHALE OIL FIELD.

(From 'our Correspondent.) Glasgow, Friday. An attempt, by shale-oil strikers, it is believed, was made this morning to blow up a main electric cable from Roman Camp which supplies power to the workB of the Scottish Oil Company at Broxburn, Uphall, and Middleton, and other pits. At half an hour after midnight this morning gelignite was exploded under the cable only a few yards from the main Edinburgh to Bathgate Railway. The effect of the explosion was felt very plainly for miles around the district. Much damage was done, but investigation revealed that the perpetrators had failed in their chief purpose, which was to shut off electric power from the whole district, and that they bad only succeeded in cutting a branch cable supplying power for the pumps in the Loaninghiil Mine.

The damage is being repaired, and it is expected that the cable will be in working order again before any serious pumping difficulties arise in the pit, where safety men are employed by mutual arrangement to keep out the water and to feed ponies. One engineman was in attendance at the time of the explosion, and he escaped injury. Scenes of violence have also taken nlace at Uphall and Broxburn, where a number r' ot windows have been broken with stones. A more serious affair occurred at Pumpher-ston, where the chemical and office staff were molested on their way from work. A woman typist was assaulted and rendered unconscious.

There was evidently a minoritv of the strikers, stated Mr. Fraser, the managing director of the company, to-day, who are being led astray by the excitement of the strike. Asked if he had any statement to make regarding the failure so far of efforts at mediation by the Emergency Cummiilee of the Scottish Trade Unions Comrress and the reiterated demand of strikers for a return to the status quo and a resumption of work at the old rates of pay as a condition of their participation in the public inquiry into the industiy, Mr. Fraser said the condition was impossible. One report of the investigators appointed by the Board of Trade disposed entirely of the stains quo, and there was no possibility of a return to the old scale of wages.

The present deadlock," he said, "leads nowhere eNcept, if carried far enough, to the final ruin of the sliiile industry. O.M.S." THE GOVERNMENT'S SCHEME. RATIONS, REQUISITIONS, AND SPECIAL POLICE. The Home Office last night issued for publication a copy of the circular letter which has been addressed to all local authorities in England and Wales detailing the Government's plans for ensuring thfi main ten an re. Of RRRP.ntial services and of law and order in the event of any industrial dispute assum ina; such serious proportions as to con stitute a national emergency.

For the purpose of administration and' of collaboration between the central and local governments, the country has been arranged into ten divisions, and to the divisional headquarters of each a Cabinet Minister will be detailed to act as Civil Commissioner. In cases of urgency the Minister may make an Executive decision. He will have the assistance in each area of Food, Coal, Postal, and Road Oihcers, and although the responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests- with the police authorities and chief "constables, the local authorities, it is suggested, might co-operate in securing able-bodied citizens to serve as speeial eontables. Among the chief measures that may be taken for ensuring adequate provisioning of the population are Cnntrol of distribution of foodstuffs. Rationing of coal supplies, gas, and electric power.

Requisitioning and diversion of vehicles for" important transport work. Full text ot circular on page 18.1 ITALIAN LOAN IN NEW YORK OVERSUBSCRIBED. NEARLY 7i PER CENT YIELD. Xi.w Ycrk, Friday. To-day's issue of gold bonds of the king dom of Italy to an amount of bearing interest at the rate of 7 per cent and maturing on December 1, 1931.

has been over-subscribed. At the price of 94s, at which the nontis are offered, they will yield the investor 7.43 per cent Interest per annum. Reuler. told about her long years of kindness. "She was always the same," he said; no one ever saw her any different, aKvays gentle and smiling." He talked cheerfully ahgut her interest in the country children and about the garties she used to have at Sandring-am for the children of all the schools here on her birthday.

They loved her," he said, "and, 3rou know, she loved them, too. She never passed a child without smiling at it, and she would stop her car to talk to a baby." Then he turned away abruptly You don't know what her going will mean to all of us." She Will be Sadly Wanted." She will be sadly wanted," was a frequent expression- The people feel they have lost a friend-' There was never anyone else like her," they said. She cared for the people and remembered them. "They called her 'Your gracious said a man who has served her for over twenty years: it was the very word for her. She was always gracious.

She did not complain about things that went wrong, but she liked to tell people that they had pleased her." And so it went on till one had a picture of a countryside cherishing a woman's personality as something very rare and precious. There was deep, sadness, but- not the pain that the thought of a young life cut short brings; it was rather the feeling that they- were losing someone they had loved to think of all their lives, a centre of their interest and affection. She. will be sadly wanted." FOREIGN TELEGRAMS ON PAGE 17; French Finance. Germany and Locarno.

French Argument for Submarines. a a. THE DEAD QUEE1V. AN EMBLEM OF A PAST AGE YET AN EMBLEM OF YOUTH. By Arthw Ponsonby, M.P.

Beauty and simplicity may be com monplace virtues, specially if they are possessed only in a moderate degree. But when the radiance of beauty is so intense as to be universally acclaimed and the simplicity so natural as to oe very pleasing, and when both are illumined by a peculiar charm, the possessor, be she a queen or a peasant, rightly deserves our attention. The Princess of Wales will ever be remembered by Victorians as their idea! of beauty. The funny stiff royal portraits and the cheap oleographs never did her justice. It was the fascinating smile which lit up the face and Yhicrl cast the spell.

To rave about a beauty is in itself rather an out-of-date, silly, and simple thing to do. There were "professional beauties" in societv in Mid-Victorian Remarkable experiences have befallen passengers from Ireland and the Isle of Man caught by the fog in the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man steamer Tynwald, which left Douglas on Thursday morning, was still detained outside the Mersey Bar at an early hour this morning the crossing up to then having occupied nearly 45 hours. The Belfast boat the Duke of Con-, naught, with many passengers on board, which was due at Fleetwood early yesterday morning, was still waiting this morning off Fleetwood until the fog lifts. The Dublin boat, the Lady Longford, with 50 passengers on board, arrived in Liverpool yesterday 29 hours late.

A large amount of shipping is held up outside Liverpool, Glasgow, and 29 HOL'RS LATE. DUBLIN BOAT'S VOYAGE TO LIVERPOOL. Passengers on the Isle of Man 6teamer Tynwald, which left Douglas on Thursday morning, have had a remarkable experience in the fog which at the time of telegraphing is by no means finished. The vessel reached the Mersey Bar on Thursday night, where she was held up and still remained at half-past one this morning. A Liverpool newspaper received a wireless message from her yesterday Baying that all was well on board and that coneertB had been held to begui'e the tedium of ivaiting.

Shipping in the Meisey wast with the exception of the Seacombe and Birkenhead Peiry services, at a complete standstill jesterday. A large number of ships are anchored at the Bar, the commanders heing afraid to attempt to nesotiate the difficult channels oi the Mersey entrance. Lmers due to leave have postponed their sailings. The ferry boats, controlled with the moat praiseworthy skill, have been navigated by compass across the half-mile of the Jteisey. The Dublin steamer Lady Longford, which left Dublin on Wednesday, arrived at Liverpool vesterday 29 hours late.

She had on hoard 50 passengers and 403 head of cattle. The Belfast steamer Duke of tonxiaught, with 70 rassengers and a cargo is unable to icanh the Fleetwood landing-stage. Due at four o'clock yesterday morning she was stated at midnight to be yng oft Fleetwood, where she would wait until the fog lifted. There is a lug in attendance. The Wyre ferry service was suspended today, and, it being market-day, many farmers had to travel 15 miles by road from Fleetwood to to their homes.

The fcg became so bad at Hull that the Humber ferry service had to be abanddned, up. 1 3 WOMEN DROWNED. WALKED INTO CANAL; COMPANION RESCUED. Three women 'were di owned in the canal at Stalybridge last night near Mottram Road locks, and but for the prompt action of Mr. Henry Lee and his wife a fourth would probably have lost her life.

The victims were two sisters named Poyn-ton, who lived at Spring Gardens, Millbrook. Sta'ybridge, and Miss Ivvoteon, also of Spring Gardens. All three were of middle age and single, and were normally employed in a local woollen mill. About 6 30 last night, accompanied by Mrs. Costellow, sister of Miss Iwotson, they were going to the Employment Bureau, taking as a short cut the path alongside the canal.

In the dense fog they guided themse'ves with flash lamps, walking, it is stated, aim in arm. About 100 yards from Mottram Road ihe canal widens, as does the towing path, and it is assumed that the women lost thei-- bearings and walked into the water, whish at this point is about sis feet deep. The accident was discovered by 3frs. Lee, who lives in Huddersfield Road, running parallel with the canal, -and who beard Mrs. cries for help.

She immediately ran out of her house, climbed over a wall and dropped on to the towing path, while her husband ran round by another way. Aided by a flash lamp Mrs. Lee discovered Mrs. Coslelldw in the water, and with her husband's assistance managed to get her ashore. She informed her rescuers that rer companions were in the water.

Mrs. Cos tellow was taken to a nearby inn, and after medical attention was conveved in the ambulance to her home. By this time the had been in formed, and thev searched with erannlimr irons for the other women, whose bodies were recovered, alter an hour. Commendable presence of mind and pluck, were shown hy Mrs. Lee in dropping from the highball on to the towing-path 1n the dense feg, and Ber quick action undoubtedly aavea the fourth woman's lift.

RESCUE FROM CANAL AT HYDE. Shortly lifter half-past ave iast night a scream was heard coming from the Peak Forest Canal oetweeh Gibraltar Mill snd Captain Clarke's Bridge at Hyde, where thev fog was eseeptionally thick- A man with lantern rushed to the spot and found straggling in tbe water a woman named Harriet Radfern, a cotton operative, who while walking. on the, towing-path from her work stepned into the wafer. 'Hie, woman was rescued and later conveyed home by the police. Previous to this two workmen's Baskets and a eakwere seen floating on the canal, but up to late hour last night the police had received no report of anyone missing.

BOY FOUND DROWNED. The boilv of Joseph Curless a4, son of boatmali employed on tne Xieeds and Liverpool canilli was yesterday recovered from the waterway at Inee. He was em ployed on a boat captained by his fatheii and it is presumed that 'in attempting to join the boat in the morning he fell ipto tha water in consequence of the fog) which was very dense ha the Wigan district; i Hull, and the sailing of liners from ihe first-named port is postponed. Traffic in large areas remained in a Btate of dislocation yesterday dwing to the fog, and much of it was taken off the road. Railway trains in.

Lancashire, part of Yorkshire, and virtually the whole of the Midlands were reaching their destination hours late. Several fatal accident3 have occurred. Three women walked into the canal at Stalybridge and were drowned. Glasgow entered upon its fourth day of, darkness yesterday. The total -financial loss to traders and husinesa concerns must, of course, be enormous.

Shopkeepers in Glasgow alone say that they have lost many thousands of pounds simply through the spoiling of materials. Two trains collided near Sheffield in the fog last evening, and several passengers were injured by broken glass. GLASGOW'S WEEK 6 NIGHT. SEVERE LOSSES SUFFERED BY TRADERS. (From our Correspondent.) Glasgow, Frids.

Dense fog descended upon Glasgow to-day, t'le conditions becoming very bad, toward The" experience was all the more disagreeable for tbe respite which the city had late last night, when for the first time l.i several days a cleai atmospheie was on-joyed for a few limns. The gloom bos turned day into night in Glasgow since the beginning of the week. By afternoon I ihe old disorganisation in transport services was being suffered. The number of trains had to be cut down, and cars and 'buses hiid to proceed at dead slow-speed wherever there was any congestion of traffic. Long duration of foggy conditions in the city is causing grave concern among traders, who have suffered during tbe week big slump in business.

It is computed that at least a 25 per cent decrease in women shoppers has been caused. Perhaps'more serious han that loss, how-ever, has heen the damage to sloci. Jlany big orapery concerns the city have had, speeial window disp'nys for this week, in an. ticipation of the forthcoming shipping week and the Christmas trade. The fog has injured these exposed goods seriously, and.

many thousands of pounds, it is etrterf hy a prominent city trader, have Been lest in this depreciation of stock. EXPERIENCES THE FOG. 17 MILES IN NINE HOURS AND THREE TIMES DITCHED. A motor driver had to make a journey from Eochdale to Blackburn with a man walking in front of the motor waving a white flag for a distance of seventeen miles, the ioumey taking nine hours. The lor.y had several narrow escapes, being ditche-3 three times.

The fog in North Staffordshire was the worst experienced for many years, and played havoc with rail and road traffic. Eailway officials arranged a special fog time-table, and most trains were over the longer journeys, but there was some curtailment of the local services. A number of accidents were reported to the police between motor vehicles in the Six Towns, but no serious personal injuries resulted. Driver's Leg Broken. Other accidents reported in the Potteries district were between a tram car and omnibus at Stoke, two omnibuses at Burslem, and two motor-lorries at Kewcastle.

The vehicles in each case were badly damaged. The driver of the van which collided with the motor-omnibus at Kewcastle sustained a broken leg, and was ta'cen to the North. Staffordshire Eoyal Infirmary. At Whalley, where several cars struck the walls at sharp corners, a motor-lorry struck the ide of Brunerlev Bridge over he Kibble, bat the speed was slow and no damage occurred. Driving down a fell road near Wadding.

ton a motor-wagiron ran into the ditch and was disabled. The driver, John Richard Ellis, of CJitheroe, received severe gashes about the face. the districts between Ghorley and Blackburn conductors walked in front ot 'buses guiding the way through the fog. A crowded 'bus nearly met disaster, driver mistaking a bank of fog- for the oneij toad. A shouting pedestrian saved the "bus from a thirty-foot drop into the river.

Preston was clothed in the densest fog within living memory. Many minor accidents are reported. Nearly all the 'bus services, including the Ribh'e service' which is one of the largest in the cnuntry were ehtlrelv susoended. A men. Robert uuuciio.

wao laiteu iu due miirmary witn a double leg fracture due to bis being struck by a steam lorry which he was accompanying. Electric Train Strikes Crossing Gate. Passengers on a train on the electric service' rroin Liverpool (Exchange) to Southport (CEapel Street) had in exciting and somewhat alarming experienfe yesterday afternoon, for in the dense teg the train stra one of the gates at the AugBtoa Road level crossing. Birkdale. xho.

erossinir'4s the first of several between Shkdale Stafioa and Chapel Street Station The driver of the train, ou cbservine the' obstruction, pulled ud sharply and the train stopped Before.the far sine- the reached. One of the gatea wag smaajed but fortunately there were no personal injuries. SUNNY HASLTNGDEN. Throughout yesterday Hasliuaden bathed in brilliant sunaEinei softened during the early afternoon by a' faint misti-Aceringtqh and Rawtenatan, on each side were plunged in a thick fog. Haslingden elevation of nearly 800 feet above bT live! render! it immune from most foes and; it was untouches day and yesterday- va UI pnwm ckew rescued.

-T- While trrihe-tn tnAVa wiua'iii eSfnf Mother drifter tte-r' SSS1? Proved to be brotharof one of the shiuwTwL-ori men. or THE FUNERAL. BURIAL BESIDE EDWARD VII. AT WINDSOR. It is understood that the funeral of Queen Alexandra will take place in St.

George's Chapel, Windsor, where she was married to King Edward in 1863 and where the body of the late King lies in the royal vault. Queen Alexandra will be laid to rest beside her husband under the Albert Memorial Chapel. The last Queefi Mother of England was the widow of William the Fourth, who, dying in 1S49, had survived hei husband twelve years and lived into the reign of Queen Victoria, and the funeral arrangements on the occasion of her death are expected to serve as a precedent for those which will take place in the next ten days or a fortnight. The Queen Mother in royal precedence ranks immediately after the Queen herself, and the ceremony will doubtless be more, simple than that usually given to a reigning monarch. The arrangements are in the hands of the Lord Chamberlain's Department.

It will depend upon the King's own desire whether there is a lying-in-state in- public or privately. In any case there will be full ceremonial on the journey from either the station or ilarlborough House across London and at Windsor. The coffin is being made from wood grown on the Sandringham estate. King Haakon, of Norway, it is learned, will come to England to attend the funeral ceremony. WIRELESS PROGRAMMES CANCELLED.

THE B.B.C.'S TRIBUTE. The Biitish Broadcasting Company cancelled the ordinary evening programmes last night and substituted a brief service ireported on page 16). Later last night the B.B.C. issued the following statement: In view of the Queen Mother's death the broadcast programmes for to-morrow (Saturday) already issued are cancelled. A special programme will be broadcast simultaneously from all.

stations of the, B.B.O. from o'clock to 10 30 p.ra Details of the afternoon transmission if any. will he anunounced later. Sunday's programmes on page 9-1 4 THE CLOSING OF LONDON THEATRES. MEETING OF MANAGERS TODAY In view of the shortness of ihe aothe which could be afforded to ihe theatrical managers, the Lord Chamberlain decided to maie no order with regard to the closing of the theatres lest night in consequence of the death of Queen Alexandra, The Press AsSo eiation learns that the Wes End Managers' Association will hold a meeting this morning, when it eipeeted that decision will be reached as to closing on the evening of tbe day of the fihera! DEAD QUEEN'S SISTER LYING ILL The Dowager Empress Marie of Russia Princess Dagmar of Denmark), who carried the Grand DiiUe Alesandei AJexauutd-vitcb, afterwards AWxaDder ni.

Russia, eister 6f the late Queen Alexandra, is lying seriously ill villi of. Stvidere. over; looking the Sound outside Copenhagen, which she owned in joint partnership witn her -sister. The Dowager 'Empress is thee JWS younger than -was her sister, "her 78th birtn-day falling- on Thursday next, ana was Queen Alexandra's favourite sister. days.

But I doubt if any beauty has ever been' raved about to the same extent as the Princess of Wales's. Her simplicity was no affectation. Her father's castle near Copenhagen, where she was brought up, was by no means a luxurious palace. She shared a room with her sister, and there was no ostentation or display in their manner of life. I remember seeing frequently" her father, the old King of Denmark, striding along the streets of Copenhagen unattended.

Neither lie nor his subjects, who respectfully saluted him as they- passed, thought there was anything odd about it. Danes are not snobs. In this home throughout her life Queen Alexandra loved to take refuge. In it she found the minimum of the pomp and splendour which makes the lives of sovereigns well-nigh unendurable. She had a simplicity of mind with little or no intellectual equipment.

At her grammarless letters and public messages, her gushing condolences and congratulations you might laugh, but you knew they were written by her own hand ho secretary had helped her. Grammar is not indispensable to express either beauty of mind or beauty of body. The humblest people when they looked on her portraits and saw the figure resplendent in what amounted almost to an armour of jewels had heard enough of the gossip in high, places to realise her life was no bed of roses, and not many devoted wives would have been ready to change places with her. I remember sn early meeting when 5 was twelve old and a page of honour. Queen Victoria was indis-posed, an3 the Princess of Wales was to take the Drawing-room at Buckingham Palace in her place.

This was out of our routine. But my small colleague and I repaired with all the high officials to the garden entrance where -the Princess arrived. She alighted fiom the gold coaom into the hail, looking in her diamond crown "exactly like a queen in a fairy story. The footmen piled her train behind her in a heap, and. the.

procession began to be formed. Now, we had been accustomed to having the Queen's long train handed to us by her dresse-s, with the proper loops at the corners for us to hold. This pile of embroidered crimson and gold was our job. arid we saw it was a stiff one. While the grooms and chamberlains fell irio their proper places we "searched in vain for the end of it.

No one paid any attention to us, and at last we found an endtthra stuff left off, it; must bo right So we grasped it tightly, stood at attention and. when the signal was given waited to let "the Prince3g take three or four steps to unfurl ihe train. But the first attempt she made to move she found herself vigdrously pulled back. We had gob hold of her skirt, not the train at all. Her amusement.