TRIUMPHAL MARCH IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 18, 16 October 1918, Page 5

TRIUMPHAL MARCH IN PALESTINE

TOUCHING WELCOME TO THE BRITISH

REJOICINGS OVER THE END

OF THE TURK (Rec.. October 15, 7.40 p.m.) London, October 14. Writing from Beirut on October 9 Mr. W. T. Massey describes the extraordinary demonstrations of welcome which were accorded the troops during their advance up the coast. "All castes aud creeds united .and acclaimed the British and Indian infantry as the deliverers of * the land from the oppression of centuries. Ancient Aero and Tyre threw off their customary calm, but not till Saida, the Sido'n of old, was reached did the population show their real feelings. When the yeomanry approached the people rushed' to tear down palm leaves and build triumphal arches, and decorate their houses, and cheered deliriously. Other towns were equally enthusiastic. At Beirut the people' threw flowers . and sprayed perfumes, wherever the British uniforms were seen. Crowds surrounded, and shouted the British 'Hurrah I' and olapped their hands. British prestige never stood higher, and the exemplary behnviour- of our splendid troops is everywhere the subject of comment. The infantry _in seven days marched one hundred miles, converting tracks, into roads, this splendid achievement enabling the passage of heavy guns arid field When Damascus was captured the' Turks were wired to evacuate Beirut. Tho military governor thereupon retired, and left the Government in the hands of tho president of the municipality. When the Germans, left they placed machine-guns round tho station to prevent the Turks boarding their trains. The town was found in good order." .• . • v At Baalbek. Writing from Baalbek on October 11 Mr. Massey says:—"Our march over the mountains of Lebauon everywhere /disclosed evidences' of tlie people's relief that our advance had put an end to Turkish misgovernment. Everywhere over forty miles of road they accorded us a heartfelt welcome. Our coming , 'has wrought a wondrous •change in tho condition and contentment of the'population. On entering Baalbek General Allenby was officially, received by the mayor with much rejoicing, while a band with half a dozen old instruments played "God Save the King," and a party of girls sang an ode of welcome.' At R-ayak a few miles south of Baalbek was a scene of great destruction. The Germans had burned their aerodromes and repair shops, and-the debris of thirty aeroplanes' was .visible. The railway establishments' and engine shops had"been, destroyed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.