GERMANY’S “STEEL HELMETS”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 May 1927, Page 5

GERMANY’S “STEEL HELMETS”

BIG PARADE.IN BERLIN

(By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) fAurtralian A N.Z. Cable Association.)

BERLIN, 6th May

Sixty special trains are converging from every part of Germany towards Berlin crowded with 80,000 Field Grey Stahlhelm (steel helmets) for the first time since the Republic was initiated. Berlin will he the scene on Sunday of the annual parade of these pevfervid patriots. Through the past week’s verbose Press vendetta the populace is adopting an attitude of philosophic calm, hut all police leave lias been cancelled, and thousands of “extras” have been drafted into the city. Communists are showering curses on the President, and Police are forbidding any counter demonstration.

President Hindenburg, who is an honorary member of the Stahlhelm, has pronounced his blessing on the gathering, though otherwise lie has withheld official sanction. The enormous demonstration has been arranged to take place in front of the ex-Kaiser’s Palace. There will he martial music, flags, and a tattoo, including “Deutschland Über Alles.” The mass will march past with “Hochs” to Germany for the fallen.

A GREAT UNARMED MILITIA

(Received 9th May, 12.10 p.m.) BERLIN, Bth May

“Steel helmets” virtually took possession of Berlin. The extraordinary vigilance of the Police prevented many riots. A great unarmed militia, is the only fitting name for the formidable array of medalled war veterans and warlike recruits. Though they did not display the precision of movement and smartness of dress and hearing that characterised pre-war ceremonials, they were unmistakeably military in _equipment, organisation, and discipline. The organisation is the standard bearer in demilitarised Germany of the old military tradition. .The goose-step, war standards, and martial music are its stock-in-trade memories of battle. Defiance of defeat, and belief in the future glory of Germany are its life and soul. The hundred thousand spectators were obviously sympathetic. After sharp’ words of command and well executed manoeuvres, the leader, from the steps of the national gallery, addressed the entire assembly.

TREATIES REPUDIATED

(Received 9th May, 12.25 p.m.) BERLIN, Bth May. The goosestep and field grey returned to the capital at the weekend, when 80,000 ex-servicemen, carrying hundreds of war standards on which a steel helmet was embossed, marched past the grandstands at the Stadium. It- was the first big military ceremonial after the war. Columns swung along the field, goose-stepping and pausing with lowered Hags in front ot a special box in which the ex-Kaiser’s two sons, Prince August and Prince Oscar, and several war-time generals land admirals stood at the salute. After manoeuvres the princes and generals reviewed the ex-servicemen to the accompaniment of martial music. “Germany over all ’ was sung, onlookers joining in. There was a similar parade at Lustogarten, adjoining the ex-Kaiser’s palace. There were several disturbances ana two hundred arrests. The steel helmets’ leader s speech from the national gallery was carried all over the square by loud speakers. He said the' Staidhehns did not recognise the Treaty of Versailles and later treaties, and demanded the restoration of conscription; the revocation of the war (Tuilt declaration, which was extracted from Germany forcibly; and above all, restoration of the black, while, and red llao- under which Germany carried on her most heroic struggle against the world. The latter statement was received with tremendous applause. Two minutes’' silence m memory o the dead followed, then a hymn, and then the gathering four times repeated “Germany over all.”