JUBILANT CROWDS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 157, 29 March 1941, Page 11

JUBILANT CROWDS

“Long Live Britain; Down With Hitler” UNPRECEDENTED JOY LONDON, March 27. People swarming 7 in the streets of Belgrade have been celebrating all day. The newspapers rushed out special editions with King Peter’s proclamation in big type. Processions formed up spontaneously and carried cheering crowds along the inain highways. Thousands of flags are flying, and the excited population is thronging the streets cheering the King. Vast crowds are shouting, “Long live Britain” and “Down with Hitler.”

News of local rejoicings on an unprecedented scale throughout the provinces has reached Belgrade. Nowhere is there any sign of disorder. Crowds milled in the streets, cheering, latighing, and crying, and shouting: “We are free; down with traitors.” People who had never met before embraced each other. The “Revolutionists” have taken over town after town throughout the country, hoisting the Greek, British, Russian, and American flags. Thousands gathered at the Greek Legation shouting: “Long live our sister, Greece.” Inhabitants of Cetinje rushed out into the streets firing rifles and cheering the King. Greek and Serbian frontier guards embraced.

Telegrams of loyalty are still pour ing in to the King and the Government.

Troops took control of the central part of Belgrade at 1.30 a.m., and units of the air force took over the police station, where police and military joined them.

Fifty officers of Skoplje yesterday issued a proclamation calling on the people to revolt. Fourteen other officers resigned. The Fourteenth Infantry Regiment is reported to have mutinied and at least one battalion joined tb e Greeks. Considerable disturbances broke out in Skoplje, where German residents, who were well supplied with explosives, planned a counter revolt. Au attempt was made to blow up the Nish-Sofia railway. Resentment rose to white heat in Serbia and Montenegro. Secondary schools ‘were closed, and students burned pictures of Hitler and marched through the streets singing revolutionary songs. The change of Government brought a relaxation of the censorship, allowing the revelation of the revolt throughout the country against the capitulation.

The United States Government sent congratulations today to the new Yugoslav Government and drew attention to the fact that President Roosevelt was empowered to assist nations who seek to preserve their independence.