News of the death of king George VI spread swiftly around the world today.
British troops on the front line in Korea received the news in stunned silence then went on fighting until commanders announced plans for mourning the dead monarch.
Flags were lowered to half staff over British government buildings throughout the world.
In Vatican City, Pope Pius XII expressed his "great sorrow" and ordered a telegram of condolences sent.
United Nations Secretary General Trygve Lie sent British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden a telegram expressing his sorrow.
Premier Leslie Frost of Ontario, Canada, said he was shocked and grieved.
Australian Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced the news in parliament. The House promptly adjourned.
Flags flew at half-staff at the United Nations temporary headquarters in Paris. At Gen. Eisenhower's North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters just outside Paris, the national emblems of the 12-member nations also were at half-staff.
Eisenhower, who has known the royal family well since he first arrived in Britain during World War II, expressed his regrets to Prime Minister Winston Churchill and sent condolences to the royal family.
Mrs.Eleanor Roosevelt said in Paris that "I am terribly grieved and shocked to hear this news because I always had a personal affection for the king and queen." The king had been a guest of the late President Roosevelt at Hyde Park in 1939.
Japanese Imperial household circles were stunned. The Japanese often have referred to their emperor's position in postwar Japan as "similar to that of the king of England."
In-Denmark, the state radio broadcast the news of the king's death and simultaneously the royal standard on King Frederik's residence was lowered to half staff.
The Belgian radio observed a minute of silence after announcing the news end saying that Belgium "associates itself with the great, friendly British nation during this terrible day of mourning."
Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands cabled their condolences. Italian Premier Alcide de Gasperi said that "I, the Italian people and the Italian government join in the sorrow of Britain."
The Swiss radio played "God Save the King" and said: "In this grave hour, the entire Swiss people express their sympathy for the British peoples to whom they were always bound in close friendship."
In Dublin, Irish opposition leader and former Premier John A. Costello expressed his sorrow at the new queen's "personal loss and bereavement."
The mayors of the two largest cities in the United States expressed their sympathy.
Mayor Vincent R. Impelliterri of New York said the late king was "a true friend of the United States and of the people of the city of New York."
Mayor Martin H. Kennelly of Chicago said "This is very sad news to the people of Chicago, and I hasten to send my condolences to the people of the British Empire."
Former President Herbert Hoover issued the following statement from his Waldorf. Astoria apartment:
"King George was the symbol of a great democracy, greatly loved and respected by all elements of his people. The American people all extend their sympathy to his great nation. And they will hope that the new Queen Elizabeth may bring another era of greatness to her people."
