LEAVING COLOGNE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 February 1926, Page 5

LEAVING COLOGNE.

BRITISH TROOPS EVACUATE.

CITIZENS’ JUBILATION.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Cable —Press Assn. —Copyright.)

LONDON, February 1.

Thousands of Germans packed Cathedral Square, Cologne, to witness the departure of the British. It was a moving ceremony. The Shropshires paraded before the British headquarters, the Hotel Excelsior, Silence fell when the Cathedral clock struck three the troops presented arms, the Union Jack plotted down and the Band play ed the National Anthem. immediately the troops departed, the Prussian nag was hoisted amid a tumultuous chorus of Hochs and the singing of national, songs. A Cologne message states that on die stroke of nndnigiit on Sunday the booming of the Deutsche Clocke gigantic bell, which replaced the kaiser Clocke, which was sacrificed in war time, was the signal for an outburst of jubilation at the departure of tne occupation troops. Rockets shrieked joyously skyward. Torchlight processions were formed and tne wnole city, relieved from seven years’ occupation, surrendered to the spirit of revelry. The chief feature was the speech by the Burgomaster, which was begun punctually on the stroke of midnight, before the vast concourse in the illuminated Cathedral Square.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION.

(“Sydney Sun” Service.)

LONDON, February 1. The “Daily News” states x that France and Britain have agreed to reduce the Allied troops in the Rhineland from 75,000 to 60,000. The Germans contend that 45,000 are sufficient.