'HITLER IS HERE’

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 2 March 1935, Page 6

'HITLER IS HERE’

EXTKSUa IN SAAR City Echoes to Tramp of Soldiers HISTORIC DRAMA ENACTED “TO-DAY IS A LESSON”

Unruni Preem Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). Received 3 p.m. to-day. SAARBRUCKEN, March 1.

“Hitler is here” was the news which electrified the city and transformed it overnight into a mighty stage ringing with music and bedecked with banners and garlands, under which thousands of Black Guards, Storm Troops and police marched and countermarched like supers in a vast play. The enactment of to-day’s historic drama was prolonged far into the night, with ceremonies and demonstrations. Loudspeakers, martial music and the tramp of troops defied sleep as- incoming thousands from Germany strode triumphantly to their quarters, unmindful of a bitter cold drizzle. Amid delirious enthusiasm, in which 20,000 participated, Herr Hitler took the salute at an impressive march past from the steps of the illuminated town hall, from where he spoke to the cheering concourse. He recalled addressing the Saarlanders in H)33, and declared that Germany had kept the promise then broadcast to stand by them. “I am happy to be with you during the first hours of liberty,” he added. “It is a day of happiness for all Germany, even for Europe, because it has removed a crisis under which two great nations suffered. Let us hope that Franco is as ready as we are to seek peace. It must be possible to grasp hands and remove all obstacles to peace.

“To-day should be a lesson to those who believe a nation can be robbed of its character hy force, or that its soul can be stolen,” continued Herr Hitler. “This cannot he done. Blood is stronger than documents. To-day is only the beginning of the work for the great Reich. I implore you who have been faithful for fifteen years to have faith in the new Germany, whose millions are now marching in step.”

The cheers having subsided, Herr Buerckel shouted, G ermany is Adolf Hitler-. Hitler is our Germany.”

Herr Hitler, standing erect and bareheaded in a car, doffed his overcoat on arrival at the town hall, despite a downpour. In order to demonstrate he scorned his protection and he did not possess a Nazi bodyguard.