The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 1)
“THE WAR IS OVER. GERMANY HAS SURRENDERED. COMPLETE VICTORY FOR THE ALLIES. ARMISTICE TERMS ACCEPTED BY GERMANY. UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER THE RESULT. Buy Victory Bonds And Bring The Boys Home.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 2)
“Belleville Celebrates Great Allied Victory. Union Thanksgiving Service on Court House Lawn, Participated in by All Churches—Procession, Speeches and Fireworks.
Thanksgiving Service. At 11 o’clock a Thanksgiving Service under the auspices of all the city churches was arranged for Court House Lawn, participated in by all the clergymen of the city, opening with the singing of the Doxology, readings of appropriate Psalms and singing of hymns appropriate to the occasion, accompanied by band music and assisted by church choirs.
At 1.30 a grand procession will be formed on the Market Square. … Procession will end at the Armories, where speeches will be made from the lawn. In the evening there will be fireworks and general rejoicing. It will without doubt be a day in the city long to be remembered.
Front street this morning presented an animated appearance as all business places were decorated with flags and streamers. All over the city, private residences were adorned with flags.
Prof. Wheatley, organist of St. Thomas’ Church and an ardent Britisher, born and bred on the old soil, was one of the first to respond to the glad cry of the city hall bell and went at once to St. Thomas’ Church, turned on the lights for worshippers and playing the Hallelujah Chorus on the organ and as the grand notes of this triumphal chorus swelled out from the heart of the organ and the heart of the organist at 4.30 o’clock this morning, passersby fortunate enough to hear the music were treated to a masterpiece.
An automobile profusely decorated attracted wide and favorable attention this morning on Front street. On the radiator was a bull dog carrying in his mouth a stick to which was attached the Union Jack. The dog acted as calmly as if this was a regular occurrence, and symbolized the British slogan, ’What we have we’ll hold.’ ”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 2)
“Help Haig to Hurry. Buy Victory Bonds.
Arthur McGie, Merchant Tailor. 208 Front St., Belleville.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 2)
“For Canada. Most men will lend to their friends in time of need. Every man should lend to his country in her need—for ‘her need is his’—so let’s show our patriotism.
Buy Victory Bonds.
‘The Beehive’ Chas. N. Sulman.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 2)
“ ‘If ye break faith—we shall not sleep’
Break Faith? Never. The memory of their noble deeds is seared into our hearts, and will live in the hearts of our children, generations hence.
We Canadians must carry on. Before us, as a nation, as individuals, our way lies clear. Afar off along the path that leads to Right we hear the cry of those who fell. We will follow on. We will finish the work they so nobly began.
Buy Victory Bonds.
Issued by Canada’s Victory Loan Committee in co-operation with the Minister of Finance of the Dominion of Canada.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 4)
“Mopping Up. Now that the fighting is over there will be several years mopping up to be done. … Unselfishness, the religion of the trenches, must be the religion and practice of all peoples and nations if the war is to be worth while—a brotherhood and sisterhood of helpfulness which should go far to banish poverty, distress and false pride of caste from the world must be established. Government must be of the people by the people and for the people with equality of opportunity and opportunity unshackled. …
If a new and better world does not arise from the ruins of war then all this sacrifice of blood and tears and treasure will have been in vain.
Individual responsibility is the keynote of reconstruction for better or for worse. If every individual will endeavor to model his or her life upon rules of unselfishness and helpfulness and consideration of the rights and feelings of other people, communities and nationals will quickly respond to a new and better impulse which will result in the greatest good to the greatest number.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 4)
“Peace, and Then What? Victory Loan Bonds will help to make peace permanent and prosperous. When war industries cease peace production must begin. Take the soldiers along transferred from a war to a peace footing, from uniforms to civies. Millions of suits of clothes will be needed—millions of pairs of boots, millions of hats, overcoats and all the rest of the wardrobe of a civilian. They will need many more things unknown to the soldier who carries only necessities. …
Peace and then what? Stagnation? Not by any means; the mighty forces which have welded together into an efficient fighting machine on land, on sea and in the air—millions of men cared for and directed as efficiently as fifty could be—can be just as efficient in making a happy and prosperous world in peace times.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 4)
“The Downfall of Kultur. The abdication of the House of Hohenzollern on Saturday closed the career of the Kaiser as the greatest menace to the liberty of the world since time began, deprived him of all power, and branded him as a criminal outcast, bearing the burden of responsibility for so many crimes that no country will care to give him shelter.
Such is the downfall of Kaiserism and German Kultur which for more than four years has been responsible for a huge orgy or murder and unspeakable atrocity, forming the darkest pages of the history of the world since creation.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 6)
“Celebration Notes. The proclamation of Mayor Platt that to-day be observed as a public holiday was generally observed but a few places of business being opened. …
The first response to the City Hall Bells was in the illumination of residences which were speedily a blaze of light. …
One happy woman, wife of a soldier appeared on Front Street shortly after four a.m. wearing a large Union Jack wrapped around her.
At a few minutes after 9 o’clock, the 15th Regiment Band paraded up and down Front Street playing national airs. The band was followed by decorated autos and other vehicles while crowds which lined the sidewalks on either side of Front Street cheered vociferously. It was indeed an inspiring sight. Joy beamed from the eyes of all. Man grasped the hand of fellow man, and all were as one grand brotherhood. It was a scene which will live in the memory of all who participated. …
Did the citizens of Belleville and district celebrate? They certainly did and in no small degree. The ringing of the fire bell, and church bells and blowing of the whistles in the grey dawn of morning awoke all from their peaceful slumbers but the noise was a joyful one. At 5 o’clock a number were on Front street and from that hour onward crowds commenced to assemble. At 8 o’clock Front street presented an animated appearance. Employees of stores were soon about. In an incredibly short time flags and bunting were displayed from every point of vantage. Later streamers were strung at intervals across the streets making the principal thoroughfares attractive in appearance. At an early hour autos and conveyances garb decorated were upon the streets all filled with enthusiastic men, women and children, cheering, laughing and waving flags. Everything conceivable was called into requisition for the purpose of making a noise.
The local Salvation Army Band turned out this morning and followed by about fifty lads and lassies made an attractive parade. The Salvation Army was represented on the firing line by seventy thousand blood and fire soldiers, besides the lads and lassies with a word of cheer, accompanied by a hot cup of coffee, pumpkin pie like mother used to make and other appreciated treats. The Salvation Army kept so close to the firing line that the Hun captured a truck load of pumpkin pies on one occasion.
Oh, the joy of the wives, mothers, fathers, sisters and children of the soldiers over there—husband, son, brother, daddy coming home. Isn’t it glorious?
This is a new day for the Allied soldiers—while we are rejoicing at home how they must rejoice over there at the sure and certain prospect of seeing their homes and dear ones again! What a homecoming! The next great celebration will be when the conquering heroes come marching home.
What a relief to the soldiers as calm descends upon the trenches like Sunday at home! The big guns cease their barking, gas masks are discarded, enemy bombing planes no longer hum their advance warning. No ‘over the top’—at last there is ‘a quiet night and day’ along the front line.
Almost at daybreak to-day enthusiastic citizens were on Front Street voicing their joy at the glad tidings and many of them sought entrance to the Victory Loan Headquarters corner of Bridge and Front Sts. to get in on the last opportunity to buy Victory Bonds and earn the right to shout over the Victory our boys have won. The headquarters will be open all day to-day and this evening to receive subscriptions, and no more fitting way could be found to celebrate the Victory Loan than to put money into Victory Bonds at 5 ½ per cent. The money is needed to Bring the Boys Home and to treat them right when we get them home.
A great many of our citizens are wearing the sign ‘We Helped To Do It,’ and some of them are not wearing Victory Bond Buttons, what does this mean? If you haven’t fought and haven’t bought Bonds you haven’t ‘helped to do it.’ Get busy To-day. Buy Victory Bonds and when the boys come marching down Front St., home again you can truly say ‘We helped bring them home.’ If you can’t wave a Bond, don’t wave the Flag.
The immediate release of Canadian and other allied prisoners in Germany is one of the principal conditions of the Armistice, and one of the greatest reasons for joy particularly in homes where soldier-members of the family have long been prisoners of the Huns.
The girl and boy students of Albert College marched in a body down Front street this morning each carrying a flag. They were singing and giving the College yell.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 6)
“Sinclair’s. Cheering Notes in Late Frocks. To keep in tune with these cheerfully optimistic days Fashion suggests vivid color touches on the Fall and Winter Frocks.
A wide range in color and style to choose from and at prices that will not conflict with a war-time income.
Prepare For Peace. Buy Flags and Bunting now and hang them out to every passing breeze!
Cash in on Canada—buy Victory Bonds. Sinclair’s.
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 7)
“Thanksgiving Services. In the various churches of the city yesterday thanksgiving services were held and were heartily participated in by large congregations.”
The Intelligencer November 11, 1918 (page 7)
“Awarded Military Medal. Lt. Wm. A. Finkle, 52nd Battery, C.F.A., B. E. F. has been awarded the Military Medal for great gallantry and devotion to duty on the field of battle. Lt. Finkle who is a Belleville boy, the son of Mrs. W. H. Finkle, 214 George Street. He won his commission on the battlefield at Cambrai and is now in England, attending an officer’s training class and school of gunnery.”
First World War Belleville 