The Rise Of Australasia - Chapter 49
Chapter 49: The Crowd at Sydney Harbour
Translator: 549690339
October 26,1900, Sydney Harbour.
After a journey of more than a day, Arthur finally led over two thousand soldiers and followers from White Island to Sydney.
Transporting these two thousand people was not an easy task, and the weak Australian navy could not manage it alone.
Fortunately, William II saw Arthur’s dilemma before leaving and dispatched a transport ship from German New Guinea, which transported these people to Australia intact.
Sydney Harbour.
At this moment, the port of Sydney was already filled with the crowds and officials welcoming Arthur.
After a few days of news spreading, the world had already learned of the departure of one of the greatest monarchs of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria.
Arthur’s deeds would also be known to people worldwide, accompanying Queen Victoria’s will and instructions in her final moments.
At this time, the crowds at the port all came to welcome Arthur, whose last words as Queen Victoria’s successor were spread, followed by major newspapers and known to everyone in the world.
That sentence “You have lost your father, and you will soon lose your grandmother” touched many people.
The reason these Australians chose to stand at the port to welcome Arthur was actually to express an attitude: Australians will always stand behind Arthur, and Australia will always be Arthur’s support.
Do not underestimate Queen Victoria’s prestige in any region of the British Empire, nor Arthur’s prestige in Australia now.
It was precisely because of the addition of Queen Victoria’s and Arthur’s prestige, as well as Queen Victoria’s instructions in her final moments, that the British began to sympathize with Arthur, a compassionate fellow member of the British Royal Family who is not yet of legal age and forced to go to Australia.
However, Australians have a different affection for Arthur; they have personally experienced his various welfare policies, and they are the only beneficiaries of his tax reduction policy.
They have already accepted and recognized, and even highly respected, Arthur, this newcomer ruler, and believed that he is the outstanding monarch who can genuinely lead Australia to rise and make Australians proud.
Under such circumstances, some passionate Australians could not help but come to Sydney Harbour to let their monarch, Arthur, know that Australians will always love and support Arthur, and Australia will always be Arthur’s backing.
In any case, perhaps Queen Victoria’s last instructions were just a manifestation of her true feelings, without any ulterior motives.
However, these warm words did indeed win Arthur the favor and sympathy of all the British people and made most Australians choose to stand together and support this benevolent ruler.
As soon as the warship approached the harbor, cheers from the crowd on the harbor penetrated the thick steel plates into Arthur’s ears.
Arthur was taken aback, and he did not expect so many people to gather at the port at this moment, and they were all shouting vigorously.
As he stepped off the warship and onto the harbor, the shouts of the crowd grew louder and even drove the birds in the sky to flutter away.
“Long live Your Highness!”
“Australians will always be with Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!”
Although the shouts of the crowd were chaotic, Arthur could still hear several unified ones quite clearly.
Upon hearing the shouts of the crowd, even the heavy-hearted Arthur could not help but be moved.
As it turned out, the various policies Arthur implemented in Australia were not fruitless. In this age where monarchism still prevails, a kind and loving monarch like Arthur will inevitably win the love and loyalty of most people.
The moment Arthur stepped off the warship, Prime Minister Evan led all cabinet members to greet him.
Everyone bowed to Arthur, and then tried to persuade Arthur to grieve less.
“Prime Minister Evan, what is this?” Arthur pointed to the surrounding crowd and looked at Prime Minister Evan with doubts.
“Your Highness, this is not arranged by the government. These people, upon hearing of Her Majesty the Queen’s passing, spontaneously came to welcome and console you.” Prime Minister Evan hurriedly laughed and explained.
“Alright, let everyone disperse! Everyone has work to do; there is no need to gather here. Tell everyone that I will not fall because of setbacks, and neither will Australia. We have received support from the United Kingdom, and the country will only develop more rapidly.” Arthur waved his hand, gesturing for the crowd to disperse.
Although thousands of people coming to greet Arthur was impressive, in reality, Australia was currently undergoing rapid development, and most of these people had jobs.
Just for welcoming Arthur, not getting their work done, or having to delay work for a day would be counterproductive.
“Your Highness, is it true that we will rule over British New Guinea and New Zealand?” At this moment, a question suddenly emerged from the crowd.
“Oh?” Arthur looked at the source of the sound, a teenager who just came of age.
“What is your name?” Arthur asked with interest.
Many Australians participated in the cheering, but few dared to face Arthur and ask questions loudly, even essentially absent.
“Harry Murray, Your Highness, William Henry Harry Murray.” The young man replied.
“Oh?” Arthur was somewhat stunned, not expecting that someone randomly encountered among the crowd would have some fame in later generations.
Harry Murray, or William Henry Harry Murray, was an Australian soldier during World War I and was generally described in World War II as receiving the highest honor among British soldiers.
The honor received by William Henry Harry Murray is the Victoria Cross, which was proposed by Queen Victoria.
How difficult is it to obtain this medal? From its birth date in 1856 until later generations, it has only been awarded more than 1,300 times, and only 13 times since the end of World War II and in later generations.
This medal was initially proposed by Queen Victoria to award heroes in the Crimean War and eventually became the highest honor for British soldiers, the highest medal that all British soldiers dreamed of.
The fact that one person could receive this medal shows that William Henry Harry Murray made significant contributions and achievements in World War I.
“Nice name, Harry. Indeed, Her Majesty the Queen has entrusted British New Guinea to Australia, and I’m to be appointed as Governor of New Zealand. British New Guinea will become a part of Australia in the future.” Arthur nodded and said.
As soon as Arthur said this, the surrounding crowd immediately erupted into strong cheers. Nothing makes people happier than expanding the territory of the country, especially peacefully expanding the territory without losing a single soldier.
