In this internet age of instant communications, it is difficult to understand the delays and false steps that often surrounded the dissemination of important news.
Moreover, all the participants in the Great War also encouraged the spread of what we would now call disinformation.
After his arrival in Europe, United States President Wilson was acclaimed for his Fourteen Points and for his moderation.
Wilson said the war would be over if Germany accepted his Fourteen Points.
On Sunday, October 13, 1918, the Benalla Standard reported that Benalla’s Police Superintendent Carrucan had received official information from his Melbourne headquarters that the Germans had accepted President Wilson’s Fourteen Points for peace.
The information from the police was conveyed to Rev. P.J. Edwards who announced it in Holy Trinity Anglican Church at the conclusion of the evening service.
The church bells were immediately rung. As news spread, other church bells and the bell at the fire station took up the peals of joy.
A large crowd gathered in Bridge St, eager to learn the details.
From the railyards, locomotives began to whistle. A few people fired off shotguns and fireworks.
The municipal band gathered up its members and began to play the national anthem. It was followed by other musical pieces until late in the evening.
The war was over! Melbourne had heard earlier. It too was kicking up its war-weary heels.
The next day, Monday, the local school inspector arranged for Benalla children and their teachers to march to the Shire Hall.
Flags of all the Allies were carried by the children. Some 20 children represented the beaten Germans.
These children were in dirty clothes and carried white flags. The assembled children sang the national anthem and other wartime tunes as they marched.
Once in the hall there were cheers. Then Councillor Cook, the Shire President, made a short speech amid more cheers.
Rev. Edwards made another speech before the children were dismissed.
In Thoona, on Tuesday, October 15, the same school inspector announced that the war was over.
Thoona’s school teacher gave an address to his charges and then led them through the township to be given lollies and drinks. After that, he dismissed them for the day.
The Benalla Standard took the precaution of ringing the Reuters news service for confirmation.
When the editor finally got through at 10.30pm on Sunday, he found that Germany had indeed accepted Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points.
However, Wilson abruptly had new conditions now, if Germany wanted to end the war.
He refused to accept German acceptance of his peace terms. Instead, Wilson passed any discussion for an Armistice to the leaders of the Allied Armies.
The Armistice, coming into effect a month later on November 11, 1918, was dictated to, and imposed on, Germany.
There were no negotiations. Only two of his vaunted Fourteen Points ever came into effect.
After waiting four-and-a-half years, the disappointment of Benalla after the false alarm must have been crushing and embarrassing.
– John Barry