LONDON ENTHUSES

Grey River Argus, 10 May 1945, Page 3

LONDON ENTHUSES

■MR CHURCHILL’S ROLE The Central Figure (Rec. 6.30) LONDON, May 8. Mr Churchill, after his broadcast from No. 10 Downing Street, was driven in a small sports car to the House of Commons, waving his black hat and smoking his inevitable ci o ai. Mounted policemen escorted th-_cai through one of the densest ciowas ever assembled in Whitehall. lie House of Commons was m one ol its most spirited moods when Mi Churchill arrived at 0.30 p.m. canj ino- a slip of paper in his right hand. The House rose as he appeared irom behind the Speaker’s chair, and the members cheered lustily, and waved order papers. Visitors in side galleries and the strangers’ gallery rose and joined in a thunderous welcome. Airs Neville Chamberlain sat beside the Speaker’s wife in one of the side galleries. There were one hundred and one questions to be answered before Mr Churchill was due to make his statement. There was another great roar of cheers when Mr Churchill rose. He said he thought it might be convenient if he repeated the official statement he had just made oyer the radio. Mr Churchill, admitted a slip he had made in his broadcast by describing General Bedell Smith as Chief of Staff of the United States Army, instead Chief of Staff of the Allied Expeditionary Force. Loud cheers rang out in the Commons at the end of Mr Churchill's message to the nation.

Mr Churchill added: “That is a message I am instructed to deliver to the British nations and the Commonwealth. I have only two or three sentences to add, which will convey to the House my deep gratitude to the Commons, which lias proved itself the strongest foundation for waging war that has ever been seen in the whole of our long history. We all made our mistakes, but the strength of Parliamentary institutions has been shown.” Mr Churchill paid a tribute to the liveliness of Parliament, which was maintained even under enemy fire, and praised British perseverance, which, he said, would have gone on much longer if required. Mr Churchill in low, dignified tones then moved: “That this House do now attend the Church of Saint Margaret’s to give humble, reverent thanks to Almighty God for our deliverance from the threat of German domination.” When the motion was put, there was a great cry of “Aye.” Mr Greenwood crossed the floor and grasped Mr Churchill firmly by the. . hand The Commons then filed behind the Speaker in procession to Saint Marsaret’s. Lord Woolton read a statement in the Lords at the same time as Mr Churchill in the Commons. Then he moved that the House adjourn to at tend a divine service of thanksgiving. The principal service at St. Paul’s was at mid-day, when the Lora Mayor and Lady Mayoress attended People who worked in the capital during 66 months to help to bring victory knelt with them side bv side, offering up prayers of thankfulness. They included civil defence workers who fought to save London during blitzes, workers who staffed canteens, bus conductresses, drivers who carried on night after night during raids, airmen who fought enemy planes in the skies over London, and servicemen and women from all the Allies.

' Mr Churchill after the thanksgiving service at St. Margaret’s went again to Buckingham Palace —where he had already attended a victory luncheon with Their Majesties—with war leaders and members of the War Cabinet. The King congratulated all. Soon after 5.30 Mr Churchill appeared on the balcony between Their Majesties. The whole crowd cheered for a full live minutes. Twenty minutes later, surrounded by war leaders and members of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister was addressing huge Whitehall crowds from the balcony of the Ministry of Health. For some minutes he was only able to wave and give the V sign as the crowd sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and patriotic songs. At last, the crowd quietened and speaking into a microphone Mr Churchill said: “God bless you all. This is your victory. It is victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done his bit. Neither the long’ years nor dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy have in any way weakened the unbending resolve of the British nation. God bless you all.” The Minister of Labour, Mr Bevin, ' who was at Mr Churchill’s right hand called for three cheers for victory and the crowd responded in a way never before heard in Whitehall. . One of the most notable incidents of the day was the King’s reception of Mi' Churchill and members of the War Cabinet at Buckingham Palace in the bow' room, every window of which was smashed by a flying bomb some months ago. Three Chiefs of Staff, General Cunningham, General Alan Brooke and Air Marshal P'ortal were also present. Mr Churchill, happily humming a little tune to himself, had gone • jauntily up the steps from the palace lawn into the bow room. Then when His Majesty had congratulated the Ministers, 'he led the way outside, where photographs were taken. The King, wearing a naval uniform, but bareheaded stood with Mr Churchill on the right, Mr Bevin on the left, and others°grouped around. The crowd outside the palace gradually grew into a multitude. Close guards were kept at the Palace gates. The police on foot and on horses and in cars kept the approaches clear. Mr Churchill in a black .civilian suit lunched with the King and Queen at the Palace. TJ' 0 i crowd gave him a great cheer as he arrived. Sightseers broke across the road when his open car appeared. Police cleared the way, the car proceeding sometimes a little over a snaili pace, winding a way to the pates through lanes of people. Mr Churchill sat in the car smiling broadly, radiantly happy. He continually gave the Vee sign in ackno led CT ement of his reception. Great crowds blocked the front gates when Mr Churchill, after lunching with the Kiim and Queen, left the Palace by the “garden entrance a little time before 1 p.m. G.M.Tf The King and Queen and the two Princesses heard Mr Churchill’s historic announcement, in the private apartments of the Palace. Thousands outside heard the broadcast over loud sp n akers erected in the fore court. Resounding cheers followed the P'rime Minister’s closing words. Crowds began to call for the King and cheered wildly as His Majesty walked out on to the central balcony which was draped in scarlet and gold. The King stood for a few seconds alone, waving to the crowd. The Queen joined him and acknowledged deafening cheers. The two Princesses then came out on to the balcony, Elizabeth in khaki A.T.S. uniform stood beside the Queen. Margaret stood beside her father. Hats were flung into the air and flags of Allied nations waved in the breeze as the crowd sang the National Anthem and “They Are Jolly Good fellows.” The Royal Family remained on the bal-

cony for four minutes smiling happily and waving to the crowd. Their Majesties and the Princesses made a second appearance on the balcony at a quarter past four and were greeted with tumultuous cheers and flagwaving, ,/fhe crowd at the Palace burst into frenzied applause when Their Majesties' and the ' Princesses made a third appearance on the balcony, this time with Mr Churchill, who stood between Their Majesties. He waved a cigar and gave the Vee sign. Mr Churchill was the last to leave the balcony. He was given a special cheer and disappeared with the crowd singing “Jolly Good Fellow”

At three o’clock on Tuesday morning Their' Majesties reappeared on the balcony of the Palace for a few minutes. Later the floodlights were switched off, and the crowds then began to gradually disperse. London on Tuesday night gave itself up to unrestrained jollity and merry-making. Crowds converged by bus, by 'tubes and on foot on the heart of the city until this was literally blocked, and areas far from Piccadilly had to take and satisfy the overflow. For instance, Fleet Street late at night was crowded with merry-makers who had no chance of getting to Buckingham Palace or any other focal point of celebrations. Packed tight around the Victoria Memorial, and stretching down the Mall, happy crowds made a living picture in which the predominant colours were those of services’ uniforms. Tuesday night’s court circular contains the following: The King and Queen were afforded the greatest pleasure by the loyal greetings of the vast concourse of people assembled outside Buckingham Palace to-day to celebrate the successful termination of hostilities in Europe. The police estimated the crowd in Whitehall, when Mr Churchill made his impromptu speech at about fifty thousand. On this basis crowds in the West End at night must have been many hundreds of thousands. Police in the afternoon stopped traffic on all roads converging on Trafalgar Square, which then and all the evening was a solid mass of people. Pigeons which were unable to find a landing ground wheeled overhead, bewildered by the noise of rattles and fireworks. Young people, crushed together, danced inch by inch around the fountains. People crawled over the lions,at the foot of Nelson’s Column, while others shinned up flagstaffs. Overhead bombers swooped, and dipped and made the onlookers hold their breath for fear of a collision with Nelson’s Column. The manager of a Knightsbridge firm said: “Half our cars have been pushed over or turned upside down. I The remaining drivers refuse to go out.” Another firm reported many cases of damage owing to hilarity, saying: “There has been an unprecedented demand, and we have never known such a day.” From Oxford Circus to the Marble Arch at night was one long inpenetrable 'moving wall of people. Police guarded the entrances of tube stations, allowing only one estimated trainload to enter at a time. Fortunately the day and evening were fine. Thousands revelled in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. They picnicked with their own food and danced to the music of accordions and mouth-organs. A crowd of ten thousand listened to a relay of the King’s speech in Parliament Square. Some women were in tears at the end of the speech, when the National Anthem was played. Sixty thousand people in deep silence at Trafalgar Square heard the King’s speech relayed through loudspeakers, and then, bare-headed, sang the National Anthem. It was a supreme moment in a day of crowded incidents in the square. Then they burst into such a volume [of cheering as probably was never surpassed. Crowds echoed it in Whitehall, and the Strand, and in the far distance another huge crowd heard the speech relayed outside Buckingham Palace, after which fainting women and men also were attended by ambulance men under the Press Gallery at Victoria Memorial. These victims of the crush, some soaked to the skin with perspiration, and their clothes torn, had to be lifted on the shoulders of closely packed spectators. The police estimated one hundred thousand were present As midnight and the hour of the “cease fire” throughout Europe approached, excitement grew. Coloured I rockets flew into the air from Hyde 1 Park and other open spaces. London was liberally decorated in the orthodox method with flags and banners, and many buildings were floodlit, but there was no more lovely spectacle anywhere to be seen than St. Paul’s at night, its dignified facade and dome being floodlit, and with a I searchlight pinned thereon, but Fleet I Street had its own appropriate method of celebration with streamI ers of ticker-tape, and masses of I thin long strips of paper hung from windows, or were thrown therefrom, I and caught up by the crowd and carried. West End women and children gathered armsful. Occasionally the contents fluttered to the pavements, until Fleet Street resembled a country fair ground. There was continuous shouting and marching in Fleet Street during the evening, and there were bonfires lit from the paper at the -corner of Salisbury Court and elsewhere. Qrowds everywhere became merrier as midnight approached. Effigies of Hitler and other Nazis were burnt on bonfires. Processions were held with improvised bands and banners, one being headed by a man dressed as a clown, and carrying an enormous scarlet umbrella, on which was the word “Victory.” The P’alace facade was floodlit. There were tired children everywhere. Many slept in each other’s arms. The Poles held no festivities which were postponed until they are able to return to Poland, though they are excited by the knowledge that General Bor is on his way to London. The 8.13. C. broadcast the Vee sign in a new style, which comprises the opening bars of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. The broadcast was in a livelier tempo, superimposed ■ on the sound of church bells.

MR. CHURCHILL’S STATEMENT. LONDON, May 9. A tremendous burst of cheering greeted Mr. Churchill as he entered the Commons to make his eagerly awaited statement on the end of the European war. The House was crowded and members jumpd to their feet and waved order papers. When the cheering subsided Mr. Churchill rose and said: “I have the duty of making an official statement to the nation and the British Empire and Commonwealth, and I thought perhaps it would be convenient to the House it I repeated it here.” The cease’ fire began on Monday. Germans aie still in places resisting the Russian troops. But if they continue to do so after midnight they- will, of coms-, deprive themselves of the protection of the laws of war and will be stacked from all quarters by Allied tr It P isn’t surprising ’ that . on such lone- fronts and in the existing dislong nonis, m t] e commands of German ffi Command should nol in every case be obeyed immemoiJiv This does not in our opinion, X liio best military advice at our

disposal, constitute any reason for withholding from the nation, the facts communicated to us from General Eisenhower of the unconditional surrender already signed at Reims, nor should it prevent us celebrating to-day and to-morrow as Victory in Europe Days. To-day we shall think mostly of ourselves. To-morrOw we shall pay particular tribute to our Russian comrades whose prowess in the field has been® one of the grana contributions to the general victory. The German war, therefore, is at an end. After years of intense preparation Germany hurled herself on Poland at the ‘beginning of September, 1939, and in pursuance of our guarantee to Poland and in agreement with the French Republic, Britain and the British Empire declared war against foul aggression. “After gallant France had been struck down, we from this island and from our united Empire maintained the struggle single-handed for a whole year, until we were joined by the military might of Russia and Inter by the overwhelming power and resources of America. Finally, almost the whole world was combined against the evil-doers who are now prostrate before us. Our gratitude to our splendid Allies goes forth from all our hearts, in this island and throughout the British Empire. We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts ahead. Japan with all her treachery and greed remains unsubdued. The injury she inflicted on Britain, United States and other countries and her detestable cruelties call for justice and retribution. We must now aevote all our strength to the advance of Britannia. Long live the cause of freedom. God Save the King. I have only two or three sentences to add, and they will convey to the House my deep gratitude to this House of Commons, which has proved itself the strongest foundation for waging war that has ever been seen in the whole of our long history. We all of us made our mistakes, but the strength of Parliamentary institution has been shown able at the same moment to preserve all the ideals of democracy, while waging war in the most stern and protracted form. I wish to give my hearty thanks to the men of all parties and everyone in every part of the House, .wherever they sit, for the way in which the liveliness of Parliamentary institutions has been maintained under the fire of the enemy, and for the way we - have been able to persevere and could have persevered much longer if Ihe need had been, until all the objects which we set before us of procuring unlimited unconditional surrender of the enemy had been achievcd. “I recollect"well at the end of the last war, more than a quarter century ago, that the House when it heard the long list of surrendei terms and the armistice terms which ; had been imposed upon Germanv did not feel inclined for debate or business, but desired to offer thanks to Almighty God. to the great power which seems to shape and design fortunes of nations and the destiny of man, and I therefore beg to fioye that, this House do now attend the church of St. Margaret’s Westminster. to give humble and reverent thanks to Almighty God for our dei liverance from the threat ot German domination. That is the identical re- | solution which was moved m xOimei ’ ''rhe House then adjourned and members, headed bv ih e Speakei, who was preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms carrying the mate went to St Margaret’s which is known to every member as his parish church In’the House of Lords, Loi d Woolton read a statement - that Mt. Churchill was making at the same time in the House of Commons. Le then moved the adjournment to attend Divine service. MR CHURCHILL’S TRIBUTES TO 1 BRITISH PEOPLES. (Rec 8 40). LONDON. May 9. ‘On Tuesday Mr Churchill, made a second appearance on the Ministry ol Health balcony. After giving the V-E sign, he conducted the singing ol “Land of Hope and Glory”. He said: I “We were the first in this ancient island to draw the sword against tyranny. We were, after a while, left all alone against the most tremendous military power ever seen. For a whole we stood alone. Did anybody want to give in?” The crowd roared back a terrific “No”. Mr Churchill continued: Were wo downhearted?” Back came the answer. “No”. Mr Churchill went on: The lights went out. The bombers came down. Bill, every man, woman and child m this country had no thought of quittine That shall b e the reputation of the’ faith of this generation of I struggle. London can take it. We I came' back, after long months, from j the jaws of death—from the mouth 1 of hell, while all; the world wondered. I would Englishmen and women fail? ‘ I say that, in the long years to i come, not only, the people ol this isi land, but of the world, wherever the ■ bird of freedom chirps, human hearts ' will look back on what we have done. Hind will say; ‘Don’t despair! Don’t, yield to violence and tyranny! March i straight forward, and die. if need be —u.monquered!’.” Referring to the war with the .Japanese, Mr Churchill said: “There is another foe, who occupies large portions of the British Empire—a foe stained witli cruelty and greed—-.he I Japanese.” ! The crowd here “Booed”. I Mr Churchill commented: “They would give us more than that!” I He went on to say: “Our great ; Russian allies on Wednesday are also I celebrating victory, and, after that, | v-e must begin the task of rebuilding I our hearths and homes, doing our utmost to make Britain a land in which.all shall have a chance. We must turn ourselves to fulfil our duty to our gallant allies of the United States, whom Japan so foully and treacherously attacked. We will go hand-in-hand with them. We will not bo the ones who fail, even if it is a hai;d struggle. God bless you all!”

PRESIDENT WILSON AGAINST LEAGUE OF NATIONS? (Received 10.10 p.m. May 9) SAN FRANCISCO, May 8 Eleanor Wilson, McAdoo, daughter of the former President, Woodrow Wilson, to-day revealed that her father on his death bed said that it was right that the United States had not joined the League of Nations. He said: “It. would have been a great personal victory if it had joined when I asked, but it would not have worked because deep in their hearts Americans did not believe in it.” Mi’s. McAdoo, who is in San Francisco as a radio correspondent, said that she revealed this family secret because it seemed the right moment to bridge the gap between the two world wars. QUEEN MARY. (Ron. 10.10) LONDON, May 9. Queen Mary is travelling to London from Badminton, Gloucestershire. where she has lived throughout the war, to attend a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s on Sunday with the King and Queen. Services were held at St. Paul’s at intervals on Tuesday. The King’s broadcast was relayed in the cathedral at night.