GREAT INFLUX

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 132, 30 November 1935, Page 9

GREAT INFLUX

GERMANS TO LONDON

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL MATCH

10,000 VISITORS

(British Ofßclal Wireless and United I'ress Association.) (Received November 30, 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 29. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 German football enthusiasts will visit London next Wednesday to see the international Association match between Britain and Germany on the Tottenham ground. Full arrangements are being made by the police to control the crowds, but there is no reason to suppose that the work entailed will impose on them more difficulties than are normally incurred in dealing with a large influx of visitors. The visitors, who will include, 1600 travelling by the liner Columbus, will not display the swastika or any device other than coloured badges to indicate the sections into which they will be marshalled for travelling. If the weather is favourable the German team will make the journey to London by air on Monday morning, and it is probable that the players will watch the King's State procession to the opening of Parliament on Tuesday from the terrace of the German Embassy in the ■Mall, where they may be joined by members of the English team. Both teams will be entertained at dinner on Wednesday evening by the Football Association, and the German players will return home on Thursday. NO POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE. In a letter to the Trades Union Council regarding the Germans' visit, the Home Secretary (Sir John Simon) says he welcomes the council's recent approach to him on the subject as enabling him to state that "Wednesday's match has no political significance whatever. It is a game of football which nobody need attend unless he wishes, and I hope that all who take an interest in it from any side will do their utmost to discourage the idea that a sporting fixture in this country has any political implications." He said he is willing to receive a deputation from the Trade Union Congress to discuss the match, but he does not think Government interference is required. The fixture follows a number of other international matches for which Government approval is neither sought nor required. "I am sure the trade unions agree that the introduction of political feeling in a sporting contest is- undesirable," he wrote. The Trades Union Council has replied accepting the offer of the Home Secretary to receive a deputation on Monday, and pointing out that the concern they expressed was aroused not by the match, but by suggestions of an organised procession of the visitors to the ground. SPECIAL MEANS OF TRAVEL. The Nazis have chartered a 35,000----ton liner, 19 special trains, and eight cross-channel steamers. It will be Ihe largest influx of foreigners in London's experience. The "Evening Standard" understands that the German Ambassador called at the Foreign Office and explained that Herr Hitler favoured the match, believing that it would contribute to the good feeling between England and Germany, and that in view of the controversy he was now prepared to call off the fixture if the British authorities desired. Herr Linnemann, the Nazi football dictator, broadcast last night to Germany's 10,000 fans attending the match warning them not to sing patriotic songs, as many countries regard community singing of such songs as provocative. • NO PARTY INSIGNIA. Replying to Labour criticism, an official of the German Football Association said it is a rule that party insignia badges are not worn abroad, hence the swastika will not be seen when supporters of the German team visit London. "They will behave like guests of a great sporting nation," he added.

A London message of November 27 stated:—"Drawing attention to the risk of disturbance if 10,000 Nazi football supporters coming from Germany for the international Soccer match between Germany and England, as arranged, hold a procession in London in motor coaches decorated with the swastika, the council of the Trades Union Congress sent a letter to the Home Secretary asking that the international match be banned. The letter states that large sections of British citizens view with abhorrence the Nazi Government's intolerance of organised workers."