Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-25
ROYAL HEADS RETURN

Brussels, Friday, Nov. o2.-(By The
Associated Prcss).-It is midnight Of
the greatest day in the history OF
Brussels--the day Of the triumphal
return of the royal family to their
capital after four years OF gallant
fighting against the German invader
and the city is still celebrating the
home coming of its King and Queen.
Brussels tonight was absolutely
frenzied with happiness. All the pent-
up enegies of it's people which had
been held i'll leash through these
weary years by the iron hand OF
bondage broke loose in Il mighty vol
ume with the advent of their King
and Queen and the city which IN
years gone by has been known as one
of The gayest capitals in Europe
has been swept with such i wave Of
patriotic ioyousness as it never ex-
perienced before.
Tens Of thousands Of loyal sub
iccts for hours have been literally
dancing their way through The priE-
c!pal thoroughfares, singing, cheer
ing and laughing as they dance. Gray
haired men and women, youths and
maidens, children and soldiers and
civilians all have joined in the great
throngS which have swiried hi,her
and thither chanting their paean oi
the German downfall. The over
whelming reception given to the roy
al family this morning upon Their
entry into the city from Client was in
itself unprecedented but more re-
markaEle scenes were to come.
AS evening fell the city for the first
time in four years burst into brilliant
light. The street lamps which had
remained dark under German rule
were lighted and the night in Erus-
sells was turned into day. Even the
changing electric signs on the big
buildings began their endless play
and sent their variegated rays down
on the streets as in the happy days
before the war.
Many OF the big restaurants were
still closed but others in plenty threw
wide their doors to the crowds clam
oring for admission. The Boulevard
oughfare today was renamed the
Boulevard Adolphe Max in honor OF
the famous Burgomaster. and other
neighboring streets became the play
ground of hundreds of thousands of
people. The Boulevard Adoplhe Max
itself was field for hours with
crowd of not less than 100000 cele-
orators.
So rapidly did the merrymakers
give way to others and move their
activities to adjoining streets that
probably no succeeding hour found
the same crowd if the boulevard.
There was plenty of music 1t was
mostly vocal, but here and there civ
ilian bands blared their way at the
head of joyous columns. There was
little traffic in the streets, and end
less lines of people marched and
danced along. Many streets were
damned from one side to the other
with crowds passing in either direc-
ton. 1t made no difference whether
YOU knew your neighbor or not, you
simply linked arms with him or her
and pranced away to the swing of the
MarseliaiSe or other marching songs
Innumerable huge rings were started
and the happy citizens circled madly
about until compelled to pause for
lack Of breath. Occasionally some
would appear with a fife or
an accordian and he Immediately be
came proud leader which the people
followed. blindly dancing in his wake.
Within the cafes there was no less
Every establishment
was packed TO the doors and the
people aIternated in cheering and
However. it was an entirely
harmless celebration throughout.
Thousands of soldiers. American, Bel
gian. British and Precautionary
where joined heartily with the people
in The festivities.
The sound of singing and Of tramp
ing feet still continues and thousands
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