Rejoicing in the streets as the good news spread
WHEN four years of war finally ended on November 11, 1918, a wave of joy and relief swept through Macclesfield - as it did the rest of the nation.
The Macclesfield Courier and Herald, as it was the Express was then known, reported at length on both the Armistice - and the celebrations - in its November 16 edition.
We have delved into the archives to produce a verbatim account of exactly how the paper covered these momentous days. ARMISTICE Signed With Bulgaria out of the war, with the Turkish Armies annihilated, with Austria shattered and broken – and both having unconditionally surrendered – with the Kaiser and Crown Prince abdicated, and Deputy Ebert appointed as Imperial Chancellor, and a Republic practically set up, with mutiny in the Fleet and revolution in many towns, and threatened in many more, and with the Allies overwhelming victories in every part of the battlefield – counting literally hundreds of thousands of prisoners and thousands of guns and other materials of war – nothing was left to the once proud German Army but unconditional surrender.
During the week-end they ‘bought’ a harmistice (sic) under the White Flag, this was granted by Marshal Poch and three days given the enemy to consider the terms.
The time expired at 11 o’clock on Monday morning, and there was much excitement in the country on Sunday, it having been stated publicly that the Armistice had been signed.
This proved not to be the case, but it was signed early on Monday morning, and the news was at once tele- phoned to all parts of the country and overseas, creating the greatest public gratification. THE Armistice Terms The Armistice with Germany was signed at five o’clock on Monday morning, and hostilities in the Great War ceased an hour before noon.
The terms of the armistice include the following:
Evacuation of Belgium, France, Alsace-Lorraine, and Luxemburg by the Germans to be completed within 14 days, the Allied forces to keep pace with the Evacuation, Evacuation of East Africa within a month.
Evacuation of the German armies of the left (west) bank of the Rhine, the Allies to garrison Mainz, Coblentz and Cologne, with large bridgeheads on the east bank, and to hold the strategic points in the evacuated countries. A neutral zone six miles wide on the right bank from Holland to Switzerland.
The surrender of 5,000 guns, 30,000 machineguns, 5,000 locomotives, 150,000 waggons, 5,000 motor-lorries, and much other material to the Allies.
The surrender or disarming of the German fleet. The Allies to have the right to occupy Heligoland, if it should be necessary to euforce the naval clauses owing to the mutinous state of the fleet.
Evacuation by the Germans of Russia (including Poland) and Romania and the cancelling of the Treaties of Breat-Latsovsk and Bucharest. Restitution of Russian and Rumanian gold. Immediate repatriation of Allied occupation, with the continuance of the Blockade, will cause the starvation of millions of men, women and children.
The Blockade clause states that the Entente contemplate the provisioning of Germany during the armistice as may be found necessary.
GREAT Rejoicing in Macclesfield
‘The Courier’ in the last 107 years has reported the celebration of many joyous and notable events in Macclesfield but never within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant have such scenes been witnessed as these which took place in the loyal and patriotic borough on Monday, when the glorious gladdening news of the signing of the armistice and the ceasation of hostilities, was received.
The people rejoiced - and rightly rejoiced – and gave fervent thanks to Almighty God that England together with her Allies had triumphed in the cause of Justice, freedom and civilisation.
The celebrations in ‘the good old town’ will ever be remembered, as they were carried out in a spirit of decorum and complacency benefiting the traditions of such an ancient borough.
There were no scenes of rowdyism or exhibitions of horseplay, but the inhabitants, high and low, young and old, rich and poor, gave vent to their feelings of heartfelt gratitude, in no unmistakable manner.
‘Is it true,’ people asked each other, but when the news was announced just before 11 o’clock from a placard in the ‘Courier’ office window to the effect that the message was official from the Prime Minister, the people went almost frantic with joy.
Two soldiers arrived simultaneously and read the notice, and the quiet, thankful, expression on those gallant men’s faces, as they shook hands, clearly indicated their feelings of joy. The news travelled miraculous rapidity and the effect was magical. ‘The mill girls’ and workmen ‘downed tools’ with fervent haste, and shops were raided for supplies of flags, bunting, rosettes, ribbons, etc.
In almost less time than it takes to write these words, a transformation had come over the town. People bedecked themselves in every conceivable fashion, and wounded Tommies, solders and sailors became the centre of attraction by the jubilant people. SCENES in the Streets When the tidings became more generally known, the thoroughfares leading to the Town Hall became more and more thronged with delighted crowds, who sang with gusto patriotic songs, the National Anthem, the Marseillaise and other popular ditties.
Flags, streamers, bunting and decorations quickly made their appearance, and by noon the town was a blaze of colour.
The flag on the Town Hall floated gaily breeze, as did others on the churches, the principle buildings, and even in the meanest streets there were displays of bunting.
The children, released from schools, after the prayers of thanksgiving and the singing of the National Anthem soon made their presence felt, and the gathering at the Town Hall grew to such dimensions ~ that traffic was rendered almost impassable, but the behaviour of the crowd was of a very orderly description.
Inside the Town Hall there was animated scenes, and when the Mayor (Councillor J. G. Frost, J. P.) made his appearance at one of the windows, prolonged cheering took place.
When quietness had been restored, his worship announced that the Prime Minister had sent the news to Manchester, but as yet, he, (the Mayor) had not received official information.