ALLIES ACCLAIMED AS DELIVERERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 249, 16 October 1918, Page 5

ALLIES ACCLAIMED AS DELIVERERS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association*).

LONDON", Otst. 14. ' "Writing from Beirut on October 9tli, I\lr Massey describes the extraordinary demonstrations of welcome accorded troops during the advance ftp tho coast. All castes and creeds united and acclaimed the British and Indian, fan try as tho deliverers of the land from the "oppression of centuries. Aw<aent Afcre and Tyre' threw offithevr customary calm, but; not tLI, Saida, tho Sidon. of old, was reached did tho po- ' piilafcion! show their ■ real .feelings. When the Yeomanry approached the peoplo rushed to tear down palm leavei,; build trium pbal' arches, and:' <iecorato tho houses. They chebved de^ionsJ^. ■Other .' towns were equally eniHusias* tic. At Beirut the people threw flow-, ers and sprayed perfumes. <; AVh^eyffr' 1 . British uniforms wcro seen crowds «ttr? rounded them and shouted, . "The- Bh k tisli! &urrah!'% clapping their hands. Byitislx prestige has never , .stood higher, and the exemplary bpnayipur of" our troops everywliero is a subjoeir . comment. • ' s ' . t -' The iiifaritry in seven days lurched 100 miles, converted trapkfe intb this splendid achievement' enabling/tntt passage of heavy and field guns. Whett Damascus ivas," . captured the • >• wired to evacuate Beirut. The Governor thereupon retired »tid lQftthe governrtientin the hands of tjig president of the municipality, tho Gerri*an& l«jft they placed itiachinfii-* guns \rouiid the station to prevent ttyj> : , Turks' frpm boarding their trains. ' Tlie town was found to -be' in good der."." "

Writing from Balbok oil the lltli, Mi* EVtassey says: Our march over" ilfo mountains''of' Lebanon everywhere, «lis : closed evidence ' of the people's relief. 'Our advance has put an eud to Turkish misgo vernment' everywhere. For over forty miles of road they were accorded a heartfelt welcome. Our. coming wrought ut. wondrous change in the condition and; contentment of the popvtli- ; tion. Oil entering Bnlbeek jjjffc 43<*neril .was officially received by the Mayor with much rejoicing. A band, .with Jiftlf- . a dozen old instruments played Save tlio King,'' arid ai ' party of girls;, sang an odo of welcome. * *j. •At Rayak, a few miles south of bek, there , was a' scene of gijeat struction. The Germans bumedihe aerodromes and repair shops, tlio dftbris of thirty aeroplanes being visiWftj 'i, The railway establishments and engi|fo shops were <destvoyed. "

... AUSTRALIA. *

| WAR NEWS DELAYED. I (Press, Association Copyright.) . .v: SYDNEY, Oct. 15. - War raews is delayed.' 1 Nothing 14 £ available; • . ;