PACIFIC VICTORY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23281, 17 August 1945, Page 5

PACIFIC VICTORY

Mixed Reception In Europe (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 15. News of the Japanese surrender was received joyously in some capitals and with marked apathy in others. Bells of churches famous throughout Christendom pealed out the victory news in Jerusalem and Bethlehem as Palestine began two days’ celebrations. Floodlights played on historic buildings and cheering crowds filled the streets. The Netherlands Government has declared to-morrow a national holiday in celebration of the Japanese capitulation. It has been announced that Sunday will be a day of prayer and thanksgiving. Sirens wailing the last “all clear and the pealing of church bells at dawn gave' the news of surrender to the Maltese. Valetta is celebrating with flags flying and bands parading the streets. Towns and villages throughout Turkey were decorated. All towns are to be illuminated to-night and to-morr6w night. The crowd in Berne demonstrated chanting “we want a peace holiday” after the Government had earlier decided that there would be no official celebrations. No holidays were declared in Russia for V-P Day and no demonstrations occurred. French indifference to the surrender surprised the British and Americans. General de Gaulle’s only statement, addressed to Indo-China, did not mention the Allies and did not include a word about peace. Berliners heard the news of the Japanese surrender with complete apathy, and were scarcely interested enough to comment. The Germans lost interest in the Far East war long ago, and are fully occupied with their own affairs. There were no flags waving, no public rejoicings and no holidays in Eire to celebrate peace. The Russian people accepted the Japanese surrender as they did Russia’s declaration of war—as a matter of logical fact, says the Moscow correspondent of the Associated American Press. The Moscow radio gave the news at 2 a.m. and repeated it at frequent intervals. There was no visible reaction to the news when Muscovites began to move about in the morning except that people were quick to stop occasional Americans and congratulate them on the victory. Public celebrations may come later. The celebrations in Buenos Aires assumed a political and anti-Government character, says a correspondent. The demonstrators, after shouting against the Government, especially Colonel Peron, stoned Government House where several windows were broken. Soviet flags, though forbidden, were carried in processions and flown from many windows.