The copper era and Morenci leader., 1918-12-20
HOW FRONT RECEIVD NEWS OF SIGNING
 ARMISTICE

ARMISTICE
 When the German peace delegation finally accepted Marshal Foch's armis- tice terms on Nov. II allied soldiers along the western front illuminated heavens of France and Belgium with golden lights of victory, lights that surpassed in splendor and beauty even natures own wondeful creation. i the aurora bcrealis. Such was the, l desception of the celebration along i the 200-mile front as told by Gunner l John AlEers, on active duty at the i front when hOstilities ceased. His is | the first letter received describing the 1 factions of the millions of allied soL diers when the news of peace reach cd their ears | It was a spectacle supreme, an un- worldly sight, he wrote Great noun tains of powder on the intuition dumps were lighted: illuminating IrCckets of varied and beautiful coIors ! blended into a gigantic rainbow and the legendary story of the great pot of gold at the base of the rainbow , was in truth a reality on this occas- i ion-the wealth of all mankind was there in the form of peace to the world.
 Beyond Realization.
 The heavens seemed to accentuate the beauty and splendor of the occas- fen for harmonious coloring effects, beyond the realization of mankind. were created in the atmosphere. Ts was as if kind old mother nature were lending her every art, her everr charm, in adding to the snlendor Of ItHe occasion on which the entire world celebrated the restoration of Ipeace.
 Celebration of peace on the battle front was beyond the words of mere man. Gunner Akers wrote. It was an infinite solemnization or commem- oration of an event so solemn, so mo- mentucus that only people could rossibly conceive after they had on d"red more than four long. weary wears Of the most horrible. most de- 9fTnctive catastrophe the world has ever known.
 Millions Turn Loose.
 f ycn can conceive this great hu- rnan We'tin@ rot of between | Ono nm and 1000 .00G allied soldiers. hardened to the grim tasks of slaving men. ,sr. Inr'ved ctnra ctica'ly all worldly tbine and with but a single thought. turned
 'oose in minute, freed of their bond ace as it were. and forgetting all the
 horrors Of the past in this great iov-
 GUS moment: if vnu can conceive 5. W',0o0 rnn oivf7o ~crt to feelings long bent m and buried beneath q
 mountain of hatred. then you have a ' limited idea of what took place on
 the western battleflds on the night Of Nov. H."
 There was seemingly no end to the celebration. For days it continued Bells were tolled, whistles shrieked rockets filled the heavens until ii
 seemed that they fell from the skies . star shells added splendor to the oc "asicn and individuals yelled and shouted until they literally dropped
 from exhaustion.
 , Greatest Barrage in History.
 The artillery and infantry olayed nc
 small part in the festivitv The nreat , est barrage in the worlds histor, 7 was laid down at this time and tho clouds actually rained bullets ant
 little leaden pellets. The guns were :, rointed skyward, and what goes III I must come down. Consequently dan
 ger to allied soldiers was never SC l great as during this period. There v was no thought of self among tht
 soldiers, however and they appeared
 in the open, unprotected, subiectins themselves to injury or death, as tht I case might be.
 For days the allied guns parked ou I their neace tidings. Side arms, rifles , machine guns, trench mortars, ligh
 and heavy field pieces, and the bis :. heavy siege guns all participated il the celebration. The joys of the al , lied soldiers knew no bounds nor wa! 2 any effort made by the military au Q thorities to restrain them, so long a' . they property conducted themselves l. They enjoyed the freedom for whicl
 they had fought and suffered so long k Will Be Home Soon. n Tn conclusion, Gunner Akers wrot'
 that he expects to return to the U Il S. sometime in January His lette = was written Nov. 13, two days afte the armistice was signed.
 .- q don't know what will be don l. about letting US fellows out of tn n service, but I thing that we will b. s discharged without any great amour e of formality."
 !, Gunner Akers, She son of MT. an, il Mrs c. H. Akers, was in charge o Q one Of the big siege guns sent t n France a few months ago. Thes if guns, designed for the long rang
 bombardment work. They are know |. as the 16 inch, and have range c Q 49 miles.