LONDON'S THRONGS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 135, 9 May 1945, Page 6

LONDON'S THRONGS

BONFIRES AND ROCKETS. GENERALS TO BROADCAST. (N.Z. Press Association.— Copyright.) LONDON, May 7. Large bonfires ringed London during the night, nearly every public building was floodlit, fireworks and rockets went soaring into the sky, and aeroplanes flew low over tlie city giving the Vsign to the crowds below with their navigation lights. The only people to whom London's crowds would give way were lines of singing girls, arm-in-arm with servicemen, shouting and waving flags. Cars trying to get through were lost to sight, only to emerge from the crush with 30 to 40 men and women clinging to the bonnets, sides and backs, with others on top. Shipping lying in London's docks and coming up the river gave victory greetings with their sirens. For several hours the beUringers of St. Paul's Cathedral waited for the word which never came to ring the joyful peal. The explanation of the surprising delay in announcing VE-Day despite the news of the German capitulation lies in the importance which is attached to synchronising the news in London, Washington and Moscow, stated the Press Association's political correspondent, who added that he understood that telephone! calls had been made . all day between- Mr Churchill, President Truman, and Marshal Stalin. Difiering views were apparently held about when the public should be told, but finally 1 p.m. (Greenwich mean time) tomorrow was decided upon. Mr Churchill, in a sense, started the victory celebrations before any by giving a special lunch at No. 10 Downing Street to Admiral Cunningham, General Brooke, Air Chief-Maivshal Portal and some members of Cabinet. The Exchange Telegraph Agency says Mr Churchill will broadcast from the Cabinet room at "Downing Street, after which he i.s expected to go to the House of Commons and move an adjournment to St. Margaret's Church for thanksgiving. It is understood that after Mr Churchill's announcement there will be broadcasts by Generals Eisenhower, Montgomery and Alexander.

GAIETY IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK, May 7

New York city erupted in carnival gaiety when the surrender news was broadcast. There was some perplexity at the delay in the official announcement, and, in consequence, the celebration never took positive direction. Thousands began gravitating towards Times Square. New York's traditional centre of joyful celebration, but their exuberance was tempered with the quiet gratefulness of those who knelt on the footpaths and in the doorways of churches and stores. Many offices closed about 11 o'clock, thereby adding to the congestion in the streets. By 3 p.m. approximately 1,000,000 happy people had congregated in Time's Square. The Mayor (Mr la Guardia) appealed to the people to return to their jobs until the official proclamation was made, but his appeal fell on deaf tars.