"ALL UNITED FOR PEACE"

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4875, 25 July 1936, Page 6

"ALL UNITED FOR PEACE"

GERMAN DUKE'S ADDRESS.

TO EX-SERVICEMEN.

London, June 3

"It is not our duty to ensure that not only the ex-servicemen, but also the youth, in whom the future lies, shall learn the importance of mutual understanding, and realise that in all countries men are living with the same ideals of peace and are united in the one desire to love and work for peace. That this may come about is not only my earnest wish, but also that of all ex-servicemen, and, above all, of my Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler."

This statement was made by the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha when addressing the annual conference of the British Legion on June 1. Major Featherston-Godley was in the chair, and in addition to 800 delegates there were also present distinguished visitors representing the ex-servicemen of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, France and Belgium. They accepted invitations from the Legion sent them upon the suggestion of the King, as Prince of Wales, patron of the League. Later in the conference all representatives of foreign ex-servicemen's organisations, both allied and exenemy, were presented to the King at Buckingham Palace. In addition

to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Germany was represented by Herr H. G. Stahmer, head of the coordinating committee of all German ex-service associations. France was represented by General Weygand, Austria by General Prince Schoen-burg-Hartenstein, Bulgaria by Lieut.General V. Vazoff, Hungary by General Count Takach Tolvay, and Belgium by Count van der Burch, who is also president of the Federation Interallies des Ancins Combattants.

The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha—who is a brother of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, the son of the late Duke of Albany, and a second cousin of King Edward VIII —addressing the conference on behalf of all German ex-servicemen and also on his own behalf, mentioned that last July he had the honour of greeting the British delegation to Germany, and it was a great pleasure to him to see them once more in England, with which he had personal ties. A start was made but a few years ago towards an understanding between those who were opponents in the last war—every soldier,

no matter to which nation he belonged, who did his duty in the field, respected his brave opponent. "The movement is growing," the Duke continued, "it must grow, and it must remain as an irresistible factor. Your King has also known from personal experience the horrors of war. Many millions of brave men have laid down their lives and all they held most dear to them for their country; Their graves are scattered over the whole world, an unforgettable warning that we must do our utmost to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster. (Cheers).