Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-02

London. March 1.-When the news of
the relief of Ladysmith became gener
ally known. London literally went mad
with joy and throughout England the
scenes witnessed have no parallel in
the memories of this generation. The
Lord Mayor of London immediately tel
e%raphed his congratulations to Gener-
ais White and Butler. When the Queen
received the news at Windsor Castle
the bells on the curfew tower of the
castle We're rung in honor of the event
The pent-up jubilation at the relief of
Kimberley and the defeat of Cronje
could no longer be controlled and with
today's browning triumph. the national
trait of Self-restraint was thrown to
the winds.
The storm of jubilation centered
around the Mansion House and. by
noon thousands of persons blocked the
many approaches to that grim build
ing. 1t was a dense, black mass. COM
posed chiefly of business men, the ma
jority of them carrying little Union
Jacks. Never before was there such
a sale of flags, as today. Through this
cheering throng there was only one
avenue open TO traffic and this was
utilized by the busses going from east
to west All traffic in other directions
was stalled for hours. The only way to
get past the Mansion House was by
mounting the busseS, which soon began
to resemble chariots in triumphal
pageant. Stock brokers, bankers. clerks
and WOrkingmen clambered on top and
as the busses numbered past the historic
building. stood up, waving flags. hats
and handkerchiefs and calling for
cheers for Butler and Roberts. A
mighty shout answered them from the
crowds through which they were pass
ing.
The procession became continuous.
yet the crowd never tired of cheering
every time the name of White, Ruler
or Roberts was mentioned, ana of
came hats and up went the little flags.
Grave old tinanciers waved ana yelled
as frantically and as often as the urch-
ins who had clambered the Mansion
House steps, that Enslands honor had
been saved. The strain that for lis
days had kept the nation in terrible
anXiety, was removed. The Lord Mayor
showed himself at a window out of
which hung a huge city imperial vol.
untcer flag. ana the crowd yelled itself
hoarse. Staid magnates grabbed flar-
ing posters from newsboys ana bran
dished "Ladysmith Relieved" to the
roaring throng All thought of bust
ness was forgotten. Nothing could be
done on the stock exchange except
singing God Save the queen" ana
cheer. Business closed. at l O'Clock.
r., "a trade m Cl1sh =, n
as this The stores put up their shut
tiers ana gave their employees q huli-
day.
The Lord Mayor wired Lady Eullcr
as follows:
My sincerest congratulations on your
gallant husbands achievement" He
also ordered holiday for the city's
schools. Later he answered the de
mands of the crowd. that increased as
the day wore on, by a speech in which
he said:
This news makes our hearts leap
for JOY. We are now satisfied that our
sacrifice of blood ana treasure is not in
vain"
orders were given TO ring the great
bell in St. Peters. this evening. The
West End is as enthusiastic, though
not quite 50 demonstrative as the city.
The stately foreign office 50 far forgot
itself as to display large Union Jacks
from the windows.
A cabinet meeting was held ana as
the members met at the entrance to the
foreign office they exchanged the
warmest congratulations
Crowds blocked the war office lob
bies, struggling to see for themselves
the announcement of the glad tidings
and cheering for General Butler Lord
Dundonald and other heroes of the
hour.
Outside Marlboro House. the London
residence Of the Prince Of Wales. n
large crowd assembled.
Briefly, from one end of the metrop-
Ollie to the other joy reigned supreme
and bunting was flying everywhere in
the bright March morning, ana scarce
~ an omnibus passed through the hap
Nv streets. but had tied to them the
Union Jack and red or blue strcamers.
All over the United Kingdom these
scenes We're duplicated. At Glasgow,
Liverpool. Birmingham, Edinburg ana
in fact, in all the cities, big and little.
flags flew everywhere. whistles footed.
bells chimed and crowds paraded the
streets. singing patriotic songs. Bust
ness was given up for the day. the
schools We're closed. in the harhors all
the vessels dressed ship and at the mil
ltary and naval depots scenes Of the
Widest enthusiasm prevailed
AT Liverpool, addressing crowd OF
% 600 people assembled around the
town hail. the lord mayor said:
Il thank the Almighty God for the
glorious news. We have awaited pa
ticntly. We are satisfied that under
the humane laws and government ol
this country the Beers, in very short
imc. will be loyal citizens Of the Brit
ish empire"
The afternoon newspapers voice IN"
ax,ltation of the nation.
The Globe says: THE night IS past.
Since Hayel0ck and Outram fough;
their way. inch by inch, through the
crooked streets and alleys of Lucknow.
no such thrill Of excitement has gone
through the nation. The empire has