New-York tribune., 1918-11-08
Government Work Forgot
ten as Clerks Start
Victory Parades
Denial Fails to
Check Celebration
President Responds to
Cheers of Crowd Around
White House
Especial Dispatch to The Tr16une)

Especial Dispatch to The Trtbunel
WASHINGTON, Nov. Washington
gave itself over to-day completely to a
hysterical celebration of the lend of
the war"
Premature reports of the signing of
the armistice by Germany, made public
in extra editions of an after
noon newspaper. soon gained such gem
eral currency that later official dcnials
of their accuracy failed to dampen in
the slightest degree the holiday spirit
which swept the city.
War workers left their desks in
government departments in droves,
until it became impossible to transact
business, and government offices closed
came legitimate prey for girl war
workers. They were commandeered in
all parts of the city by frenzied
groups.
Delirium of Joy
Thousands of flags, and horns ap-
peared on the streets as if by magic.
Flag decked automobiles filled with
cheering parties sped about the
streets with horns sounding and cut
outs open, until downtown streets
were in indescribable chaos and the
Police Department was compelled to
call on reserves to maintain anything
approximating control of traffic.
Meantime the siren installed on the
roof of central Office building to
call the faithful to prayers each noon
was brought into play. Street car
gongs. factory whistles, river steamer
sirens took up the echo until pande
monium reigned in the city.
This continued with only an occa-
sional lapse from noon until midnight.
The issuance of regular editions of
afternoon newspapers carrying the
State Departments official denial of the
armistice agreement met with only de-
rison from hysterical crowds.
"Well, if it isn't true now, it will
be in few hours" they said as they
went wildly cheering through the
streets.
Navy Siren in Action
Newspaper readers were not the only
ones who fell beneath the spell of mob
psychology which claimed the city. The
commandant of the Washington Navy
Yard in the middle of the afternoon,
crediJing Unofficial reports, ordered the
yard siren into action. This was wide
1y interpreted as confirmation of tho
premature reports and was the signal
for fresh outbursts Of noisy celebra-
ton.
Women went about the streets with
tears streaming down their cheeks.
John and Bill will be home now,"
they cried as they tearfullN joined
the celebration. Tears were not an
adequate emotional vent for some And
SO soldiers were embraced on the
Streets and dignified middle-age d
women INDUCED in hysterical orgies
of cheering anu hag-waving which to-
morrow they will be unable to explain
The entire spectacle resembled most
the curious spell which sometimes
captures Billy Sundays audiences. Rea-
son gave way to emotion everywhere
And emotion must have its outlet in
some form of extravagant expression.
President Adds to Ardor
Cheering crowds early in the after
noon massed themselves in solid
phalanX about the iron grating which
surrounds the White House grounds.
Calling for the President, they made
d demonstration which has, perhaps,
never been equalled at the capital.
President Wilson came out on the
rortico of the White House, SURVEYED
the crowd, and smilingly waved his
handkerchief. This was again taken
rs confirmation of the coming of peace
and the celebration orgy was renewed d
with fresh ardor.
Directors of government bureaus
were worried tonight about the prob
lem of holding office forces intact
Already thousands of clerks and hun
dreds of dolar-a-year men ar women
are making plans to leave the city
This, 1t is pointed out, may seriously
cripple the government departments
While the war strain is still heavy upon
them.
The general excitement was aug
mented late in the afternoon by the
appearance over the city of a hotilla
of dozen airplanes in battle forma-
ton. Several of the airmen did thrill.
ing feats, coming down to within q
few hundred feet of office buildings
where the thunder of the powerful
engines added to the pandemonium OF
noise which filled the streets.
Rush to Leave City
During the evening the White House
was again the congregating place fol
tremendous crowds. President Will
son, however, did not show himself
Secretary Lansing created a stir, how
ever, when about 8 o'clock he was re
ported to have gone to the Executive
offices with the supposed confirmation
Theatres and hotels were filled will
celebrating crowds which recalled
Cambridge or New Haven football
gatherings. Everywhere there wa
hysterical JOY and much noise. A
midnight the celebration was proceed
ing with little abatement.