IN PRAISE OF LONDON

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1945, Page 5

IN PRAISE OF LONDON

Mr Churchill’s Speech IN WHITEHALL CONCOURSE (Rec. 12.55) LONDON, May 10 Mr. Churchill, after a tumultuous reception at Whitehall on Wednesday night spoke to Londoners from tne Whitehall balcony. “He spoke unofficially, unrehearsed, free from ai ceremony, and straight from ms heart,” said “The Evening Standard. The Prime Minister amid roars am cheering said; “My dear friends, hope you have had two happy days. By discipline, morale, industry, good laws, fair institutions—by those means we won. through to happy daj for millions of people. Y °u have been attacked by a monstruos- enemy but you never flinched or wavered Youi soldiers were everywhere in the field and your airmen in the never let us forget our grand Navy. They dared and did all those feats of adventure and aduacity wMch have ever enabled brave men to wi est victory from obstinate, bestial circumstances. You people at home have taken all you had to take_ which was enougn, when ail is said and done You never letdown the men at the front No one ever asked for peace because London was suffering. London was like a great rhinoceros a great hippipotamus, saying Let trem. do then worst —London can take it! London could take anything. My heart goes out to the Cockneys and to the visitors we may happen to have nere today’—and many great nations are represented here; in all those who have borne arms with us in the struggle—they echo what I say when I say ‘Good Old London!’ In every capital of the victorious world there are rejoicings, but in nzme_is there any lack of respect for the part which London played I return my hearty thanks to you for never having failed in the long monotonous days and in the long nights, black as hell. God bless you all. May you long remain citizens ot this great,' splendid city. May you long remain as the heart of the British Empire. Mr Churchill, as he ended, almost broke down, but all night long he was gay.

MR CHURCHILL’S MESSAGE BROADCAST TO RUSSIANS BY MRS CHURCHILL. (Rec. 9.50) LONDON, May 10. Mrs Churchill broadcast over the Moscow radio. She said: “On this glorious day of victory, my husband has asked me to read this message from him to Marshal Stalin: ‘I send you heartfelt greetings on the splendid victory won in driving the invader from your soil and in defeat' ing Nazi tyranny. It is my firm belief that on the friendship and understanding between the British and Russian peoples depends the future of mankind. Here, in our island, we are often thinking of you, and we are sending from the bottom of our hearts wishes of well-being and happiness. After all the sacrifices and martyrdom of the dark valley through which w'e marched together we may also now in loyal friendship and sympathy march on under the shining sun ’of a victorious peace.’ ”

STALIN’S BROADCAST LONDON, May 9 Marshal Stalin in a broadcast over the Moscow radio, declared: “Comrades and fellow countrymen, Fascist Germany has accepted unconditional surrender, having been put into that condition by the Red Army and their Allies. The final act of capitulation has been signed by us and the Allies in Berlin. This is no piece of paper. It is the real thing. Now we can, say, with full foundation, this is the day of complete victory. All the sufferings and trials of our people in defence of the Motherland were not in vain. Hitler, three years ago stated 1 We shall destroy Russia.’ but that was three years ago. It is Germany that has ‘been completely destroyed. The great patriotic war has ended in a complete victory. Glory to our Red Army which defended the independence of our great Motherland. ' Glory to our great people. Eternal glory to the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our Motherland.” MOSCOW CELEBRATIONS LONDON, May 9 “The Russians have really let themselves go,” reports the British United Press correspondent at Moscow. “Moscow has never seen a celebration like that at present going on. Crowds last night abandoned all reserve and went mad and mobbed cars carrying British and American officers, hoisted the occupants out and tossed them high in the air. The officers at last were lowered to the ground, where they joined hands and formed huge rings. The Russians danced around singing national songs. The British officers broke out with “Tipperary," and the crowd enthusiastically roared approval. Great cheering crowds gathered in front ot the British and Allied Embassies. Rockets lit up the sky as the celebrations intensified to fever pitch—anct the real show was yet to come. Newspapers, appearing hours alter usual publication times, splashed the news capitulation across the front pages in massive king type nevei previously used. “Pravda s’ headline was “Hitlerite Germany is Smashed.” Moscow to-night is firing a colossal salute of 30 salvoes from 1,000 guns for victory.

U S CELEBRATIONS WASHINGTON, May 9. The Washington schedule was not changed as people _ heard the announcement on their way to work of the German surrender. There was no sign of celebrations in the rainswept streets. The capital was lit up to-night for the first time since Pearl Harbour. In Chicago and most other centres throughout the country work proceeded as usual and celebrations were of the quietest nature. New York City V-E Day celebrations were largely an anti-climax after the enthusiastic celebrations the previous day. Bells were rung ano whistles blown, and motorists tooted horns foliowins the President’s proclamation. hut there were only 200,000 in Times Square, and the paper shower from office windows was limited. The greatest sign of ammation was when a group of children kicked an effigy of Hitler along Broadway. Department stores and many shops were closed for the day, but ‘banks and the Stock Exchange functioned. Churches were again crowded Forty thousand attended New York City’s official celebrations. Central Park was a most impressive sight when split by searchlights during the singing of the National Anthem. Speakers stressed the magnitude of the job ahead.