THE ARMISTICE NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 41

THE ARMISTICE NEWS

JOY IN SCOTLAND. The Weekly Scotsman of November 16 gives ar< account of the reception of the news of the armistice in Edinburgh_jind Glasgow. The paper says: News of the conclusion of the armistice was received in Edinburgh a little before 11 o'clock The public took the news joyously and thankfully, but in the main quietly. The first public celebration took place in the Waverley Market, where a gathering of several hundreds had assembled for the opening of the Edinburgh war loan campaign. The ceremony was appropriately converted into a peace celebration, in which the Lord Provost expressed the sentiments evoked by a great occasion. Gradually the streets assumed an air of festivity Flags were displayed on the prominent buildings. Smaller flags appeared in all directions. Large bands of girls, freed from their munition work, passed along the streets singing and displaying colours. Informal processions were a feature of the day. Amongst the latest were bands of students —one of them being almost entirely composed of young women. Overhead were earned boards with strange inscriptions. They were the direction boards taken forcibly, though with all good humour, _ from the tramway cars. The students paid an informal visit to the Scottish Command, where they gave vent to their feelings bj enthusiastic cheering. Aeroplanes, detailed to take part in the initiation of the war loan camnaign. circled over the Waverley Market and performed spectacular evolutions. ..IT - A unique demonstration took place on Steel's wonderful equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington. A group of 6ailors and soldiers, representing both the Homeland and the dominions, swarmed up the granite pedestal. Some bestrode the rearing steed of bronze before and behind the commanding figure of the Iron Duke. One of the men —a sailor naturally—sat precariously on the horse's head, and another ocoupied a less honourable position at the tail. More than one spectator, had anxious thoughts for the stability of the monument, but both horse and rider remained as unmoved as they have been at any time during the past century. The soldiers and sailors made patriotic speeches, and were rewarded by the enthusiastic cheers of a happy crowd. Irregular as the proceedings were, there was an element of fitness in thus' associating one of Britain's famous conquerors with the triumph of his sueThe news reached Glasgow shortly after H) o'clock, and spread throughout the city within a remarkably short time. Gradually flags appeared, till the streets of the city were bedecked in colour. Soon, also, everyone about the streets carried a miniature emblem of the Allies or a tricolour rosette. Business in shops and offices and warehouses became unsettled, and members of the staffs gave up the attempt to work calmly and went outside. Without organisation or prearrangement, processions were formed in various parts of the city, and, headed by isolated musicians—usually a piper,—they marched to George square, which was the point of convergence for most of the demonstrators. There Lord Provo't Stewart, mounting a lorry, announced the glorious news; but his speech was cut short by the full-throated cheering of the assemblv, repeated again and again as the Union Jack was unfurled from the City Chambers and the Royal Standard displaved from the General Post Office. A mass of people paraded the princip&J streets, notably Sauchiehall street. Munition workers and soldiers and sailors swung along arm in arm. Particularly cordial was the tribute paid to wounded men. Lord Provost Stewart addressed a large crowd at the municipal buildings. Telegrams wo;e sent by him to the King, the Prime Minister, Sir Douglas Haig, and Admiral Beatty.

In every town and village throughout the country, in the sunshine of a peaceful day typical of tho " Indian summer, the people joined in expressions of joy and thauksgiving.