Daily Mirror from London, London, England • 3

Dec. 2, 1919 THE DAILY MIRROR WONDERFUL SCENES AT THE PRINCE'S HOMECOMING London's From the Heart" Welcome Moving Family Drive. PRINCE AND M. LOUCHEUR TO SEE BIG BOUT The Prince of Wales is home again after a three months' land and sea journey of 1.5,000 miles. London gave him a tremendous welcome yesterday, and he was met at Victoria by the King and Queen, Queen Alexandra, Princess Mary and a host of Cabinet Ministers and dignitaries.

(Photographs on pages 1 and 16.) Last night the Prince intimated his intention of attending the Beckett-Carpentier boxing match at the Holborn Stadium on Thursday. M. Loucheur, French mister for Reconstruction, who arrived in as. ap4 ast night to discuss the problem of revictual- VI Wlig 11 northern part of France, will also see the Loucheur and Carpentier are natives of Lille. SHOWERS OF FLOWI Prince Makes a Speech from the Balcony.

Here is an impression of the scene outside Victoria Station yesterday as obtained by The Daily Mirror It is just two minutes past The rain is pouring steadily, remorselessly. The puddles spread and widen, umbrellas bob; wet, glistening faces turn anxiously to where the mounted police are quietly checking a tendency on the part of their horses to jazz on the slippery road. He's late," says a working woman to her friend, adjusting a soaking piece of sacking round her head; I've stood here over half an hour waiting to see see him I will. There's one thing, I can't get much wetter." It gets darker and darker. Two office girls finish their paper-bag lunch, and while away the time by wiping off the superfluous moisture from one another's shoulders.

City men blow through their fingers and stamp showers of spray right over 'a llittle hospital nurse, whose long veil is dripping with rain. A cavalcade of mounted police come dashing by. They mean business this. time. Then a roar of cheering that is taken up on every and spreads like a prairie fire; a large open carriage that goes by, alas, so quickly; a glimpse of a boyish figure, slim, brown-faced and alert; a smile, a wave of the he is gone; just.

a boy who is jolly glad to be home again. I'm absolutely soaked through," said a girl to her cavalier, but it was worth it." r. cont Both ARRIVAL OF THE KING AND QUEEN. At the eastern end of the station people crowded to the barriers, mounted window-sills, stood on station harrows and railings, and a few were perilously poised on lampposts and other projections affording a better point of view. No.

7 platform was reserved for members of the Royal Family, representatives of the Government and holders of special permits, and a guard of honour of the Welsh Guards was drawn up facing the position which the special train was to occupy. The King wore the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, and the Queen was in furs. With them were Prince Henry, in military attire, and Princess Mary. Queen Alexandra, in a black dress and an overdress trimmed with shimmering sequins, was accompanied by the Queen of Norway and Princess Victoria. The King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family spent the interval of waiting for the Prince's arrival in greeting and chatting with members of the reception party, and it was noticed that his Majesty had comparatively long chats with Mr.

Lloyd George and the Earl of Reading. Punctually at one the royal train steamed into the station, the front of the engine ornamented with the three ostrich feathers, the crest of the Prince of Wales. The guard of honour came smartly to the salute, and the Land played "God Bless the Prince of Wales." ROYAL GREETINGS. A slim, radiantly happy young naval officer, unaffectedly glad to be home again was one's impression the Prince as he jumped out of the saloon, the King's outstretched hand and kissed him on both cheeks. He was welcomed by one of the most wonderful assemblies of royalties and distinguished people ever gathered together.

In addition King and Queen and Queen Alexandra there were the Queen of Norway, Princess Mary, Princess Victoria and Prince Henry; the Prime Minister, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Bonar Law and other members of the Cabinet; Field-Marshal Earl Haig, Admiral Earl Beatty, RS FROM WINDOWS. the Lord Chief Justice and a host of other distinguished men and women. Immediately after greeting the King he went up to the Queen and affectionately embraced and kissed her.

Then Queen Alexandra, looking wonderfully young despite her seventy-five years, welcomed her grandson. It was almost with tears in her eyes that the Queen-Mother greeted her Prince Eddy," and the Prince seemed quite affected, too. And then everybody cheered, Cabinet Ministers waving their hats like happy schoolboys. The ice was broken. A happier, more warmhearted, the wretched not be imagined.

As the Prince reached the eastern end of the station he experienced a demonstration of the utmost heartiness from the crowd assembled there, a foretaste of the greeting which awaited him all along the line of route. The fixing of the drive to take place during luncheon time gave the many thousands employed in the large Government and other buildings in the neighbourhood an opportunity to cheer the Prince on his triumphal progress, and the drenching downpour of rain in no degree damped their enthusiasm. FLOWERS FROM WINDOWS. A volley of cheering from Whitehall was the signal of the approach of the Prince, who reached Trafalgar-square at twenty-five minutes past one. Here was the climax of the welcome.

The square was one dense mass of people, who cheered again and again. Looking the picture of health, the Prince smilingly acknowledged the acclamation of his admirers. Men waved their hats and cheered themselves hoarse, ladies fluttered their hand-1 kerchiefs, and some. threw flowers from win' dows when the Prince pissed by. On reaching Buckingham Palace the Prince was welcomed by the ladies and gentlemen of the Household-in-Waiting, and subsequently there was a private family luncheon to celebrate the Prince's homecoming and the Queen- Mother's seventy-fifth birthday.

A great crowd outside Buckingham Palace sang the National Anthem, God Bless the Prince of Wales," Auld Lang Syne and He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Then it chanted in unison, "We want our Prince." Eventually the Prince came from the luncheon-room to the balcony and said: Thank you very much for your kind and cordial welcome. I am glad to be home again." Portsmouth's the Prince was leaving the town hall at Portsmouth a deputation representing unemployed workpeople was introduced to him, and Mr. C. M. Worsnop, of the Workers' Union, presented an address drawing attention to the distress in the town and asking the Prince to impress upon Ministers of the Crown the necessity of providing work or alternatively of paying unemployment donations.

The Prince shook hands cordially with the members of the deputation and said I will do my best; I appreciate very much your coming to me. I will do all I can." ITALIAN KING TRIUMPHS. ROME, Monday. The King and Queen, escorted by their suite, proceeded this morning to the Houses of Parliament amidst the firing of salutes and the pealing of bells. When Signor Nitti requested those present to seat themselves, the Socialists raised a cry of Long live Socialism and left the House.

There was then a tremendous outburst of cheering for the King and Large crowds broke through the police cordon and followed the royal carriages The King and Queen then appeared on the balcony, the Queen making no effort-to hide her tears, says Exchange. The Socialist deputies Munn and Abbe were attacked by the crowd on leaving Parliament and were rescued by the police. MOTOR LAUNCHES LOST IN CHANNEL GALE, One Sinking and on Fire Reaches Falmouth--Officer Drowned. Caught in a terrific gale off the Cornish coast six naval motor launches, accompanied. by the destroyers Ursula and Urchin, all narrowly escaped foundering with their crews, states a Queenstown telegram.

The flotilla left Queenstown for Devonnort on Saturday night. Two of the launches were lost, one foundering and the other, running into Falmouth in a sinking condition and on fire, became a total wreck. The crew were saved. Lieuteant Herbertson, of the launch which foundered, was drowned. His wife resides at Queenstown.

A third launch got on the Longships. The crew was rescued by a lifeboat in the height of the gale. The fourth launch, which was in a sinking condition, received assistance from a trawler, and a fifth succeeded in reaching St. Ives with engines disabled. NATION'S BACON BILL.

Answers in the Commons to Questions About Waste. Coining waste questions in the Commons Deterioration of Remer (Go. A.lacelesfield) is inquiring the cost to tTie nation both from the deterioration in quality and in value through the renewed control of bacon. The fallowing replies to questions to the Food Minister were given yesterday Fish as certain quantity of fish has recently been sold for manure owing to its bad condition caused by transit delays on arrival at the inland markets. one instance of alleged wastage of food owing to railway delays has been bliought to my notice, and this is being investigated.

When systematic revision of railway rates is undertaken the basis of all existing rail rates will be E. Geddes. to dispose of boxes were received from more than one firm; they were considered and not accepted. Statements that boxes were supplied to 10,000 contractors as free issue and that millions of boxes were still unsold were wild exaggerations; the cost of the staff, now diScharged, was Hope. 305,888 employees in the National Factories (Munitions) at the time of the armistice were now reduced to 33,654, most of whom were engaged in storage, repair and breaking down of Hope.

HIS CHRISTMAS SPOILED. This is the first Christmas I have had at home since 1913. Please, do not send my wife to prison." Such was the appeal of an ex-orisoner of war named Warren yesterday to the Marylebone magistrate, who sentenced Mrs. Dora Warren to four months' imprisonment for stealing six golf coats, valued at £2l. I went out at the beginning of the war, and have gone through a lot of punishment at the hands of the Germans," added Warren.

The magistrate sympathised with him, but pointed out that this was a series of thefts. Warren withdrew saying, with a sigh "It will be a pleasant Christmas for me." THE SYLVAN DEBATING CLUB. There were 104 members of the Sylvan Debating Club at its annual dinner at the Connaught Rooms last night and Colonel Percy Burton presided. Mr. Cecil Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, was the guest of the club.

Such clubs, lie said, were most useful in public life and he urged those who aspired to parliamentary honours to try their prentice bands in the club debates. WHERE IS MARIE EMPRESS From Our Own Correspondent. LIVERPOOL, Monday. The mystery of the reported disappearance from the Cunard liner Orduna on her outward trip to New York of Marie Empress, the wellknown cinema star," still remains to be cleared up. There was a new development when the Orduna arrived back in the Mersey this morning.

The vessel had on board trunks and other luggage labelled Marie Empress." They had been taken ashore at New York and sealed by the American authorities. Page 3 NO PREMIUM BONDS FOR GREAT BRITAIN. Commons Reject Proposal by Majority of 186. UNDESIRABLE SCHEME' ThL campaign in favour of the issue of Premium Bonds received its quietus in the House of Commons last night, when a motion in favour of their issue was rejected to 84. Mr.

Bonar Law was among those who opposed the motion, believing, as he said, that their issue would create a fever approachinggambling. The debate was opened by Mr. Bottomley, who moved that the time had ariived when the Government should make an issue of Investment and Premium Bonds, tax free and redeemable at a fixed period, with compound interest, a certain number of such bonds being drawn at intervals and paid off with a premium or prize attached. The 'suggestion was that Premium Bonds should be issued in popular denominations, car. rying two and a half per cent.

interest, and the difference between that and four per which was the usual rate for tax-free should be pOoled for the of a fund out of which prerniums could be provided as the bonds were drawn. THRIFT Dealing with arguments used against the scheme, Mr. Bottomley said that the proposed issue would not cause any serious diversion of the existing popular securities. The proper name for these bonds was Thrift Prize Bonds. Lotteries had had ecclesiastical sanction.

The first lottery in this country was drawn on the steps of St. Paul's. The British Museum was built by means of a lottery, and the then Archbishop of Canterbury was trustee for the fund. These bonds would attract enormous sums of money that now went in betting, cinemas, tinsel jewellery and other wasteful directions. The proposal was an anti-gambling measure, because it would stop men wasting their money by backing horses.

Spread these bonds among every family in the kingdom and you won't have strikes," declared' Mr. Bottomley. Make every man a shareholder in the British Empire. CHANCELLOR'S CHANGED MIND. The Chancellor of the Exchequer admitted having changed his mind since the question first came before the Committee, but he had done so because he had not considered the matter when he favoured the proposal.

If they were going to encourage anything in the nature of the old lottery or encourage gambling they were going to encourage an undesirable thing. Apart from the gambling element, there was nothing in the new proposal that was more attractive than in any other There was a great deal of money in the country that might be saved and was not saved, and they might get some of it only by Premium Bonds, but it was really absurd to talk of getting from £200,000,000 to of new money from people who had not hitherto subscribed. If the State adopted the system, then it could not be refused to public companies and municipalities, and it would stop the whole administration of the anti-gambling and anti-lottery law Mr. Bonar Law thought that the issue of 'Premium 'Bonds would divert. from the savings banks money that would never return into that channel.

People were buying something like one and a half million War Savings Certificates each week, and he felt that the habit would be destroyed by Premium Bonds. These bonds might also lead people to try other forms of chance. He added the Government wanted the question settled one way or the other, and the responsibility. must rest with the Rouse. POINTS FROM OTHER SPEECHES.

Sir C. Kinloch Cooke (who seconded the Bonds would encourage thrift in people who never invested before. Sir E. tempting investment for the poor. Sir F.

every family in. the country subscribed £lO the scheme would produce only Mr. Bonds would absorb the surplus money of the workers for which there was no outlet at present but the bookmaker, publican and the pictures. Lord Hugh Government should not have left financial policy to the vote of the House. Mr.

would give a boost to gambling in every form. Mr. insurance companies and company promoters opposed because City speculation would be hit. PRISONERS HIDDEN IN GERMANY. Louis Boucher, a French soldier of the 1920 class, has been discovered, says Reuter, in prison at Danzig by ikie Commission of French officers.

He had been sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for trying to escape. Six othet French soldiers, it is reported, were also found. All were unaware that peace had been signed. THE HONE EXCHEQUER. reduction is likely in the price of gas' before the next quarterly reading, says Sir Auckland Geddes.

Milk is likely to be 100. a quart during December and an average of 2s. Bd. a gallon (producers' price) for the remaining winter months. The butter ration is to be reduced to one ounce per heats per week from December 15..