WILD EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 39, 9 November 1918, Page 8

WILD EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY

STREETS THRONGED WITH SINGING, CHEEKING CROWDS. (Kec. November 8, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, November 8. Both morning and evWdg papers published special editions' announcing that Germany had accepted the armistice, lhe news got abroad just as the morning crowds wore arriving in the "ty- There were wild scones of excitement in the streets and on the fenry steamers and trains, people, shouting and singing, and whistles blowing. Ihe bulk of the peoplo are still unaware or refuse to accept the denial and the oxciteraent continues high. Parties of youths are parading with carts and motors, hammering tiricans and blowing whistles and other, unmusical instruments. There is similar excitement in tho suburbs. The telephones are subinerged with inquiries.- The city je be-, flagged, «.nd an enormous crowd is demonstrating round the Post Office. Later. The excitement is increasing, aud business is practically at a standstill. Some big business houses have cloaed, aJid the streets are like pandemonium, ibeiug thronged with • singing, cheering, itfid flag-waving oiwds. All sorts of heavilyladen vehicles are parading,, and bauds are playing. Maaiy of tne schools are taking holiday, and thanksgiving services are being held in some of the churches. Never before have thero been such mad scenes in Sydney. Whether Germany has accepted or not. tho people refuse to bB denied. " Similar demonstrations are taking, place in other cities «(n<K towns.— Press A6sn.

(Rec. November 8, 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, November - 8. The wildest demonstrations continue despite the absence of confirmation of the news of the signing of the armistice. The Lord Mayor has issued a proclamation asking the people to restrain themselves until the news is received. This appeal was ineffective.—Press Assn. AN ENTIRE ABSENCE OF ROWDY-, ISM.(Rec. November 8, 10.35 p.m.) Sydney, November ,8. > Even the House was affected 'by the spirit of rejoicing. Although members admitted that they had no guarantee that ihe reports of the armistice were true, Parliament was unable to transact business, and adjourned until' Monday. Rumours that tho war was over commenced to circulate yesterday evening, oven before Marshal Foch had had time to reoeivc- the German delegates. Telephones started buzzing early this morning. It is quite futile to attempt to assure the public that the news awaited confirmation. The tumult was unrestrairied. The demonstrators gradually grew until the city resembled Bedlam let loose, but amidst the wild excitement there was an ontire absence of rowdyism, a fact probably duo to the military precaution ordering the hotels to close in the afternoon. The Stock Exchange adjourned. The Magistrate at the Central Police Court, discharged the "drunks" with a warning. The crowds besieged the business houses and shops remaining open, demanding the release of the emploj-ees. If the demand was not •granted ihe workers marched out.—Press A sen.