ANTI-CLIMAX IN U.S.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 136, 10 May 1945, Page 5

ANTI-CLIMAX IN U.S.

NO WILD CELEBRATION MANY CITIES" AT WOK IT (N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 9. . New- York city's celebrations were largely an anti-climax after the enthusiastic celebrations yesterday. Bells were rung, whistles were blown and motorists tooted horns following the President's proclamation, but there were only' 200,000 people in Times Square and the paper shower from office windows was limited. . The greatest sign of animation was when a group of children kicked an effigy of Hitler along Broadway. Department stores and many shops closed for the day, but the banks and the Stock Exchange functioned. The churches were again crowded. .At the official celebrations in Central Park speakers stressed the magnitude of the job ahead. Washington's schedule was unchanged. The people heard the announcement on their way to work and there was no sign of celebrations in the rainswept streets. The capital was lit up tonight 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. German prisoners of war landing in New Y T ork today said: "Gott sic dank" (Thank God) when told that the harbour whistles and sirens signified VE-Day. Asked by interpreters as they left the ship whether there were any .Nazis among them they answered "No." The interpreters said that two months ago they were proud to admit membership of the Nazi Party.

Today's batch of prisoners ranged from a 15-year-old youth to a 59-year-old shoemaker who was in the army only one month before he was captured. An Ottawa message says comparative calm has descended on Halifax where the citizens began reckoning the damage caused by victory riots in which two buildings were set on fire and gutted and the business section looted.

DUBLIN'S WILD SCENES

LONDON, May 9

Big forces of police were on duty in Dublin today to prevent a repetition of last night's riotous victory scenes, says the Evening News. Booing spectators last night rushed Trinity College when students ran up the Union Jack and the flags of the other Allies, singing "God Save the King"* and "Rule Britannia." Civic guards made a baton charge against the hissing crowds. Several persons were injured. The Eire Government Information Bureau issued a statement that the office windows of the British representative and the American ConsulateGeneral were broken on Monday night. The Secretary of the Department of External Affairs yesterday afternoon called on the British representative and the American ftonsul-General and expressed the regrets of the Minister of Externa] Affairs.