WILD EXCITEMENT IN BEIRUT STREETS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 167, 17 July 1941, Page 7

WILD EXCITEMENT IN BEIRUT STREETS

FLOWERS, KISSES

People Rejoice In Freedom From Vichy Yoke

t' P.A. and Rrltlsn WHvless. Rec. 1.30 p.m. FON'DON". July 10. The convention signed in Syria is in fact equivalent to a peace treaty the signing of a peace. This' is pointed out in military circles in explanation of the use of the term

"convention." It is pointed out that there is a temporary cessation in hostilities until agreement is reached on more lasting lines.

The use of the term convention means that hostilities have finallv ceased between the Vichy French and the British.

The Australian war correspondent in a message from Haifa, relating the entry of the troops into Beirut describes the tremendous enthusiasm of the people, who went wild with excitement and threw flowers at Australian soldiers, patted them on the backs, blew kisses, waved from windows, swarmed on top of every building, and cheered and cheered. The band of the Australian Headquarters Guard made matters livelier by playing "Mademoiselle From Armentieres."

T he troops, with their rifles at the slope, marching three abreast, and wearing weather-beaten slouched hats stained with five weeks' dust treated the affair as a splendid reward for the incrediblv tough fighting in terrible country. They were followed bv processions of citizens gesticulating and talking in torrents of French. The Australians who. by this time, could make themselves understood in almost anv language, grinned, lit cigarettes, waved to all and sundry and called everybody "George."' From conversations with the police it was learned that the majority of the Svrians and Lebanese detest the Vichy French officials, who grabbed alf the best jobs, extorting a comfortable living, while the rest of the eountrv has suffered extreme privations. ~ The people are looking forward to better trading conditions now they are free. Intercourse with Palestine and Egypt, has been established