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BULGARIA'S CAPITULATION.

CELEBRATION IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

The news of the capitulation of Bulgaria, which was weiveil early yesterday morning, created more excitement in town, ;t may luirly he said, than any that has been received since the early days of the war. When the news was circulated, factory whistles and engine sirens were sounded for several minutes, and the spirits of the citizens became immediately, buoyant and an atmosphere of expectation of important and far-reaching developments was at once created. Flags on the public and many private buildings denoted with further emphasis the thankfulness with which the news was received.

Later in the day—shortly before two o clock—fresh excitement was caused by the sounding of whistles, sirens and hell's for several minutes, and many eager questions were asked as to the reason, and expectations reached almost fever heat in a few seconds. The fact was that many citizens considered the occasion one for some official recognition, and accordingly the Mayor arranged to malA a public statement from the balcony of the Soldiers' Club, and the whistles were sounded as a means of bringing the people together. The Citizens' Band responded readilv and generously to an urgent call, and their playing at the corner of Brougham street also assisted in bringing the crowd together. When the Mayor mounted the balcony there was a crowd of several hundred citizens present, and the proceedings, which were not lengthy, were marked by a spontaneity and enthusiasm which it is safe to say was wholly refreshing and enheartening to those present, and indeed will be to the whole communitv.

The Mayor asked the assemblage to join in singing the National Anthem, and, led by the band, the strains rolled out with the thrill of a new determination of loyalty behind them. Addressing those present the Mayor said:— We are meeting here at ihe moment to express our joy and gratification at the good news that has reached us this Bulgaria has surrendered unconditionally. Following so soon after the Turkish defeat in Palestine we may permit ourselves at least to hope that at last tl.e end is in sight. /*ter four years or more of the most l ««Tlble war that has ever been—a war that has been carried on in the most ruthless manner—a war in which nothing has been sacred, not even our women and children; not even our sick and wounded whether in hospital or transports; not even our devoted nurses who pre tending them, where the word chivalry has entirely disappeared; after four years of disappointments and defeats we can scarcely bring ourselves to believe that at last there is a prospect of peace—not immediately. perhaps somewhat slowly to our anxious hearts, but surely. We can all go back to the dark days of Auftust, 1914, when we so dreaded Cue outbreak of wpr, but all the same ft'e aJso in our innermost souls dreaded (est Britain should not stand to her old traditions We had been told that she.had grown rich and lazy and selfish.! In our -enemy's eyes she counted as nothing, and we were a little afraid she might choose the easier way. But to-dav we are proud to know that the Union Jack was unfurled in the cause of freedom and justice, that Britain chose the hard and narrow way. She manifested to the wovhl that as always she ivas true to her word She had pledged herself to Belgium—Belgium was attacked, and she did jiot hesitate for a moment.

Quite unprepared, with but a small army, French's "contemptible little nrmy."' that has earned undying fame, siip went to the assistance of her friends and allies across the Channel.

You all know Jhe history of the last four years; but I do not think any true Britisher regrets the sacrifices jpude. Our own little Dominion has given of her best and given ungrudgingly, and is prepared to do so to the end

The whole Empire sprang as one man to the assistance of the Motherland, and the enemy ha 3 felt the weight of the lion's cubs. ''The contemptible little army" sprang into ouo of millions, and, as an American writer has described, ''Britain's effort has overshadowed the seven wonders of the world," and to-day we are gathered together to rejoice that her efforts and those of our gallant Allies ate at last bearing good fruit

We have to remember that great as lias been our work, that of our Allies lias been equally groat, and at celebrating our good news we must in all humility give them their due. To America we must always be grateful for the step which she ha? taken, late though it was. in supporting the Allies. America stands for freedom and it was unthinkable that she should allow Force and might and ruthlessness to prevail—to the presence of her soldiers on the western front —to the fresh spirit givefi to our war weary men by their presence we owe in a great measure the good news of to-day. Anrl let us not forget to rejoice greatly for the liberation of poor Serbia, the little nation that stood up so valiantly to her greater enemy Her people have lost everything almost, but patriotism and love of country, and to-day we rejoice with them that they may yet dwell

in safety in (heir own lands. Let us hope that before long we may be meeting ajmiu to celebrate the freedom of that otiier nation, Belgium, that chose the hard roiul; that preferred death to dishonor. 'l'o our great ally Franco, we also tender our congratulations and the hopes that site too may toon he free from the. enemy within her gate—that enemy that 'has laid low so great, a part of her territory. She, too, has suffered terribly but has made a game fight. To those of you whose sons are at the war ; I ' offer you the town's congratulations on the good news and the hope that soon you may he welcoming! back those loVecl ones who have done so bravely 011 our behalf. We tender to'our King our gratitude that his days of anxiety too, taav noon be over and declare our unswerving loyalty to King and Country now and for ever, come weal or woe. God Save the King. At the conclusion of the Mayor's remarks the National Anthem was again sung, and cheers were heartily given for the King and Queen, the Allies and the boys at the front.

Cr. W. A Collis also briefly addressed the gathering, saying the occasion marked the dawn of a. new day for the Allies, and the developments opened up vast possibilities in connection with the conflict. He thought daylight was showing, and also that there was an open door by which the Allies would be able more quickly and effectively to come to the assistance of Russia, and save 'her from German domination. Ho hoped the time was not far distant when the Empire would be able to celebrate, not the surrender of one, but of the whole of the enemy nations. Cheers were again given, after which the Mayor expressed 'his thanks to, and appreciation of, the band for turning out once again at such short notice. Cheers were then given for the band, who played a number of selections, and the proceedings terminated.

WELLINGTON DEMONSTrtATIONS. STURDY SPEECHES BY SIR JAS. ALLEN AND SIR ROBT. STOUT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, I ast Night Speaking at a public demonstration today to mark the receipt of the news of Bulgaria's surrender, Sir James Allen said they had met to celebrate what looked like the beginning of the end. It was inconceivable to him tnat Turkey could hold out for many more days Once the Balkan difficulty was settled attention could be directed elsewhsre, but all were convinced that there was only one possible end. He would ask the country not to be led away by peace feelers and pacifists. (Applause;.) They .had gone through four years of purgatory, and jinauy of the best of the young lives of the country had been given, and they would have to go on and fight through—not in a spirit of vindictiveness, but in order to ensure that the worM would be saved from such a thing for a long time to come. ''l have no time for the man," he added, ''who could look on these sacrifices which had been made, and say: 'Let us make peace at ar.y price.'" (Cheers.) He had 110 wish to be cruel to our enemies, but we must retain what we had solidly and earnestly won. What a relief it must have been to the men who had been lighting for fuir years to find that they had turned the corner, and were marching 011 the. road *o victory. It was not until this morning, when a little relief eamo, that he had realised the tension of the last four years. "We will see it through if we are worth our salt; if we are worthy of occupying this glorious little land we will see it through to the very end, and ensure the removal of any menace to these shores," said Sir James, in conclusion. "I congratulate you on the glorious news, and, with you, wilt kok for even more glorious news in the near future." (Cheers.) Sir Robert Stout expressed the view that tha occasion was historical, but said it would bo necessary to realise that there were groat dilficulties to be met with even now, and it could sot be expected that the wjir would be over very soon. Thpre were enemies without to contend with, and also enemies within, and the people of the British Empire did not seem to realise that an offence against humanity must be dealt with and punished. Some seemed to think that if such an offence was committed the time would come for it to be pardoned, out if that view were taken now there was 110 guarantee for future peace, or for the future of, humanity. (Applause.) A crime and a sin sifch as had been committed must be punished, and nothing, must stand in the Wfiy if righteousness was to prevail and peace to reign. Those who disobeyed and violated what might be termed the eternal laws of the Universe must take their punishment, and bo made to l?no\y that they had done wrong. Speaking with mucn emotion, Sir Robert Stout made feeling reference to those who had fallen in ihe great struggle. Many of those present had lost those nearest and dearest to them, and the loss would be more deeply felt if they were to look on those graves and suy the loved ones were not to be vindicated. In this great war of malice vhere must be punishment for the vindication of justice and the benefit of those left be. hind. If this had been kept in view in the past how different it would have been. If Russia had remained in the war he thought the end would even now have come. Instead, it was given over to anarchy and Bolshevism, and there had been more murders in a ygar in Russia than there had been there'for fifty years previously. Could anyone say that hu_ inanity had benefited by this? Peace for the fntiiri! was only obtainable by letting those who had done a great wrong know that the pay-day must come round. If it did not, there was 110 prospect of peace for the world, and no chance'for the future of humanity. (Loud applause.) The celebration of Bulgaria's surrender took place in all schools. t The headmasters assembled the pupils ijnd delivered brief instructional lectures, and the children had a half-holiday.

T)» Patriotic -Society's hnnd paraded t.lie Itreets playing' martini airs, and in the tcntre of the town Mr. Wilford, on betytf of the Ministry, delivered a stirring patriotic address, pointing out that thn-unconditionnl siirrends* of Bulgaria nid'nt that Ccrmany had lost for over hoi dreams of the domination of Middle Eijope, and the isolation of Turkey, w/h her possible surrender in tile near frnire.

TjLEGKAM FBOM ACTING-PREMIES (Mr. Burgess) received a teledun from -Sir James Allen, Actingfemier, which had evidently been dein transit, as it was forwarded Join Wellington at 0.3'2 a.m. The teleram, which was forwarded to all Mny|Z as follows:—"The unconditional

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19181002.2.42

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1918, Page 8

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,059

BULGARIA'S CAPITULATION. Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1918, Page 8

BULGARIA'S CAPITULATION. Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1918, Page 8

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