VICTORY PARADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 144, 20 May 1939, Page 9

VICTORY PARADE

ITALIANS TAKE LIMELIGHT. MUSSOLINI LIONISED. VAST MARCH PAST. (United Press I*Associatio 1 *Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received Mav 20, 8.5 a.in. MADRID, May 19. The Italians stole tlie limelight in the Victory Parade by monopolising the first hour of the march past to-day, ‘after which the first of all the Spanish units reached the saluting base. General Saliquet rode at the head of a vast column preceded by motor-cyclists, but on their heels were 10,000 Italians headed by General Gambara (Italian commander of all volunteers in Spain). An outburst of cheering greeted the first Spanish detachment carrying an enormous portrait of General Franco. Seven Spanish aircraft batteries followed, and then a further host of Italians all singing and lionising the Duce. Spanish naval and military units streamed past the base before the singing Italians were out of earshot. Those on the dais, including the entire Cabinet, were high military dignitaries among whom .were Marshal Petain (French Ambassador to Spain), the Papal Nuncio, and the Moroccan Grand Vizier. Moorish troops passed shouting their slogans and ’planes swooped over in formation sketching the word “Franco.”