Word was sent out at 5:00 A.M. on Monday, November 11, that , “The armistice had been signed. It was signed at 5 o’clock Paris time and hostilities ended at 11 o’clock, Paris time. Six A.M. Washington time and 5 A.M. St. Paul time.”
The term of the armistice, it was announced, would not be made pubic until later. Military men here, however, regard it as certain that they will include the terms as formerly published.
Bill saw the handwriting on the wall and decided to git, and he lost no time in making his getaway at that. Poor boy, he had to leave the royal palace behind, too. He’s plain Willie Hohenzollern now.
The whole U.S. is celebrating the occasion–and they had only been in the war a short time. But after they got nicely in things began to go the other way.
All over the state and nation a joyous celebration was going on. Every little hamlet did its full share. Bird Island was not behind the rest by any means. Crowds gathered on the street corners, while children marched carrying flags and anything that would make a noise. The whistles and bells helped to swell the noise as well as the firing of guns.
Lather on the married ladies joined the procession carrying flags and noise-producing instruments. At the crossing near the Van Dyke Hotel, a square was formed and when it was quiet “The Star Spangled Banner” was sung, all heads being bared during its rendition.
All stores were closed in the afternoon, it being a holiday for all. The celebration when the fake message came, did much to help out the latter. The only complaint we heard about the signing of the armistice was that it came too soon–they wanted Germany to witness the destruction of her property in a measure equal to that of other countries she had wilfully destroyed, that she might realize the enormity of her crime.
The Kaiser was burning in effigy on the Main Street. No tears were shed however. The young folks gather at the Town Hall in the afternoon and tripped the light fantastic until the early morning.
It was a glorious victory, nevertheless, and it is hoped that Germany and her Allies will be able to console themselves with the fact that out of the chaos will arise a form of government in which the people will be represented and that they will be free from the despotism of military rule and will be able to take their place among the liberty-loving nations of the world.