GREAT PARADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 106, 7 May 1938, Page 9

GREAT PARADE.

MARCH PAST HITLER

Representative of Mussolini's " Million Bayonets. ,, TRADE VIEWS EXCHANGED. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) ROME, May 6. Standing on a raised marble platform facing Palatine Hill and the ruined palaces of the Caesars, Herr Hitler, with King Victor Emmanuel of Italy on his right and Signor Mussolini on his left, took the salute from 30,000 troops, representing every blanch of the 8,000,000 "bayonets" II Duce previously stated he could mobilise in wartime. The parade included 400 tanks, 400 guns and 200 mortars, and masked greyshrouded men on lorries equipped with gas cylinders. The colonies were represented by white-clad Spahis, mounted Arabs and Lybian cavalry.. Five thousand Italian troops goosestepped while the crack Bersagliere doubled past the Fuehrer, a band playing stirring music. A feature was the youngest on parade, bare-legged Balillas under 10 carrying dummy muskets representing the armies of the future. Unusual interludes were provided by an observation balloon which was released. As it reached Herr Hitler it rose and two officers in the gondola stood to attention. Also a van, when abreast of the dictators, suddenly opened releasing hundreds of carrier pigeons. Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler exchanged views, it is reported, on the future of Trieste. Italy is concerned at Germany's diversion of Austrian trade to Hamburg in a desire to develop her own services from Trieste which would be prejudicial to Italian monopoly in the Adriatic.

Foreign Press Criticised. A semi-official statement from the German side criticises foreign Press reports of Herr Hitler's visit and declares that they betray the unfriendly attitude towards Italo-German solidarity which exists in some quarters abroad, despite assurances to the contrary. The statement threatens that this attitude will certainly be taken unfavourably on account of the forthcoming diplomatic developments. i The "Daily Telegraph" Rome correspondent says Herr Hitler escorted Queen Elene to a reception in his honour given by the Governor of Rome. Signor Mussolini was not present. Italian newspapers were instructed not to mention the luncheon the Minister of Propaganda tendered to Dr. Goebbels. who failed to turn up. This was reported to be because Jews were amongst those invited. A tragic coincidence was that General Siciliani, who organised to-day's gigantic military display, died at the very moment it opened. He contracted pneumonia while rehearsing in rain. Immediately after the appearance of r>2.000 Bali lias before Herr Hitler comes a decree making pro-military training compulsory for all males between eight and 21.