Wartime Conventions Revived

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 September 1932, Page 7

Wartime Conventions Revived

IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE AWAKENS RESPONSE At least twenty members oi the former royal family and the majority of the members of the Cabinet but not President Hindenburg, were among the 179,000 spectators at the parade of the Steel Helmets. Correspondents describe it as the most momentous Monarchist demonstration since the war. There is no longer any doubt that the von Papen-Schlei-eher Cabinet aims at the ultimate restoration of the Hohenzollern Monarchy which, however, is not likely until President Hindenburg and the exKaiser are dead. The parade took seven hours to pass the saluting base. The troops were unarmed but the majority wore clad in bfilliant old-time uniforms. The scene was reminiscent of 1914. Sunday’s parade alone consisted of 11,000 more than the established strength of the British Army and almost double the size of the official German Eepublican Army. There was a dramatic moment when General Seldt called upon the Steel Helmets to swear a long oath to serve oebdience to their leaders, loyalty of arms unto death in the fight for Germany’s freedom and greatness, and comradeship against the enemies of the Fatherland, whereupon a united “We swear” rang from the grey-green mass with uplifted arms. Three Steel Helmets were crushed to death during the parade and four spectators were killed as a result of accidents. The London Times, reviewing brermany ’s claims to equality of armaments in conjunction with the Steel Helmet display, says: “It is not surprising that the claim of equality of armaments has aroused profound misgiving in peighbouring countries.' ’ Urging the British Government to consider the question as early as possioie, the Times remarks: “It is impossible in the long run to keep a first-class Power in a second-class position. Germany must be given no excuse to take unilateral action destroying at one stroke all prospects of general disarmament. ’ ’

The parade of the Steel Helmets has alarmed the Paris press. Le Temps says: “It would have grave consequences to civilised world if we shut our eyes to the spectacle wherein the real military soul of Germany is revealed with brutal frankness. ’ ’

Aimed at Restoration of Monarchy PROPOUND IMPRESSION IN EUROPE Received Monday, 7.10 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 5. The German Ambassador at Washington has been instructed to negotiate a 30 months’ postponement of .the current payment of £3,500,000 due to America under the Mixed Claims oommission for cost of the army oc.c,-p<v tion. Nazis Removed to Another Prison Received Monday, 9.50 p.m. BERLIN, Sept. 5. The five reprieved Nazis were removed from Beuthen to Gross St. Gelitz prison, escorted by seveir motor lorries containing 60 armed police. It is suggested that they are likely to be re-tried. In any case they will be granted an amnesty after a few years.