PALESTINE.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 October 1918, Page 4

PALESTINE.

■ *JgP- ... rJ, I * ‘ : i AI-LENSY'S VICTORIOUS AD.VANCE, t,.,.,. 5 .0.:- xio LONDON, Oct -14. Writing from Beirut on October sth, Mr Massey describes the extraordinary demonstrations of welcome , accorded the troops during the advance up the coast. v All casfes and creeds united and acclaimed’ the British ana Indian infantry as deliverers of the land from the oppression of centuries. Ancient Acre and Tyre threw off their customary calm, but not till Saida (the Sidon of old), was reached did the population show their real feelings. When the Yeomanry approached, the people rushed to tear down, palm leaves and build triumphal arches and decorate their houses. They cheered deliriously. Other towns were equally enthusiastic. At Beirut the people threw bowers and sprayed perfumes. Wherever British uniforms, were seen crowds surrounded them, and. shouted the British “Hurrah

clapping their hands British prestige never stood higher. The exemplary behaviour of our splendid troops waseverywhere the subject of comments The infantry in seven days marched 100 miles, converting tracks into roads this splendid achievement enabling the passage of heavy and field gtma. When Damascus was captured the Turks wired to evacuate Beirut. The military governor thereon returned and left the Government in the hands of the President and the municipality. When The GSrinans left they placed machine guns round the station to prevent the Turks boarding their trains. The town was found In good order.

Writing from Baalbek on the 11th, M!r, Massey says: Our march over the mountain’s of Lebanon everywhere disclosed evidences of the peoples’ relief that our advance put an end to Turkish misgovernment. Everywhere, over forty miles of road, they accorded a heartfelt welcome. Our coming wrought a wondrous change in the’ condition of the population. On entering Baallbek, the general was received officially by the "Mayor with, much rejoicing. A band with half a J dozen old 'lnsTruments played “God Save the King,’’ ami a patry of girls, sang an ode of welcome. ‘At Rayak, a few miles south of Baalbek, waM« scene of great" destruction. The oilmans had TJOHRjcT aerodromes juRT repair shops and the debris of thirty aeroplanes was visible. Railway establishments and engine' shops were, destroyed.