A DIFFICULT TASK

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1937, Page 7

A DIFFICULT TASK

PROMOTING GOODWILL SAYS GERMAN CONSUL SYDNEY, May 13. The Consul-General W Germany (Dr Asmis) said yesterday that he was finding it “increasingly difficult” to promote goodwill between G*rmany and Australia. He strongly denied cable messages which attributed the Guernica bombings to German aeroplanes. “Utterly ridiculous,” said Dr Asmis, referring to the report from London I that bombs dropped on Guernica won branded with the German double eagle. “I have no need to get confirmation from Berlin for my statement,” he added. , “The double eagle symbol lias no J been nsec! since 1806, and I say again that the report is untrue and malicious. “I am surprised at such statements when Germany is doing her best to maintain peace in Europe. “As the Consul-General for Germany I am satisfied that the destruction oi Guernica was the work of the retreating forces. “This continual anti-German deling opens up old wounds. “Already people are referring bad to the lying propaganda about, sup posed German atrocities in the lasi war. “It, lias been proved to the world that, those atrocities never took place. “T wish, with Australians, for. peace and continual good relations!!ins between this country and Germany. “[ cannot understand this hate,” Mr Mas, the newlv-appointod Con-sul-General for Spain, was asked his opinion about German participation in the Spanish war. “I wish I was in a position to speak as I feel.” was his only reply.