ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 193, 17 July 1941, Page 7

ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES

ENTRY TO BEIRUT. WELCOME FOR TROOPS. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 5.5 a.m.) HAIFA, July 16. Tlie Australian war correspondent, relating the entry of the Allied troops to Beirut, describes the tremendous enthusiasm of the people, who went into wild excitement, threw flowers at the Australian soldiers, patted their backs, blew kisses, waved from windows, swarmed the tops of every building, and cheered and cheered. The Band of the Australian Headquarters Guard made matters livelier, playing “Aladcmoisclle from Arnienlieres.”

Troops, with rifles at the slope, marched three abreast wearing their weatherbeaten slouched hats, stained by five weeks of dust. They treated the affair as a splendid reward for incredibly tough fighting in terrible country. They were followed by processions of citizens gesticulating and talking in torrents of French. The Australians, who by this time can make themselves understood in almost any language, grinned, lit cigarettes, and waved to all and sundry, and called everybody “George.” From conversations with the police it was learned that the majority of the Syrians and Lebanese detest the Vichy French officials, who grabbed all trie best jobs, extorting a comfortable living while the rest of the country lias suffered extreme privations. The people are looking forward to better trading conditions now that free intercourse with Palestine and Egypt has been established. The Beirut correspondent of the Daily Mail says the Imperial Forces are marching into Beirut behind tanks, armoured cars and mechanised units. General Alaitland Wilson, General Lavarack and General Catroux with representatives of the Navy and R.A.F. formally entered the city to-day when they were received by civic dignitaries at the Town Hall. It is officially revealed that when General Dcntz first received the preliminary conditions for the armistice he said lie was willing to accept hut would negotiate only with the British.' He tvas informed that the British could not accept such a reservation and hostilities would continue unless it was withdrawn. General Dcntz finally igreed and General Cartroux particijated in the negotiations as de Gaulle's representative.