GERMAN MONARCHISTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21280, 6 September 1932, Page 9

GERMAN MONARCHISTS

BERLIN PARADE MOMENTOUS EVENT steel helmets march SPIRIT OF POTSDAM EX-ROYALTY PRESENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 5. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, gept. 4 Despatches from Berlin state that Xvhat many Germans hailed as a glorious resurrection of the spirit of Potsdam was witnessed at a parade of 160,000 •members of the Steel Helmets organisation' on the conclusion of their annual (convention. Troops clad in the field grey uniforms of the old army marched to Templehof aerodrome, formerly an Imperial parade ground. The streets were lined with multitudes iOf cheering spectators, and buildings were decorated with the old Imperial colours. jThe ex-Crown Prince took the salute. The Chancellor, Herr von Papen, was also present at the review. j At. least 20 members of the former Royal Family and the majority of the members of the Cabinet, but not the President, Marshal von Hindenburg, were among the 197,000 spectators. Correspondents describe the parade as the most momentous Monarchist demonstration in Cermany since/the war. Doubt as to Cabinet's Aim There is no longer any doubt that the Papen-Schleicher Cabinet aims at the ultimate restoration of the Hohenzollern monarchy, which, however, is unlikely until the President and the ex-Kaiser are dead.

/The parade took seven hours to pass the saluting base. The troops were not armed. Tjie majority of them wore their brilliant old-time uniforms. .The scene was reminiscent of Sundays in 1914. The troops on parade numbered 11,000 more than the established strength of, the British Army, and almost douttle the/size of the official German Republican Army. Troops Swear Significant Oath There was a dramatic moment when H'err Seldte, leader of the Steel HelmetSj called upon them to swear a long oath to preserve obedience to their leaders and loyalty of arms unto death in the fight for Germany's freedom, greatness and comradeship, against the enemies of the Fatherland. Thereupon a united "We swear" rang from the grey-green mass with uplifted arms. Three of the members of tho Steel were crushed to death during the parade and four spectators were killed in accidents. ALARM IN FRANCE GERMANY'S MILITARY SOUL // CRAVE MENACE DISCERNED (Received September 5. C.5 p.m.) PARIS. Sept. 5 if The parade of the Steel Helmets has alarmed the French press. Le Temps says: " There would be grave consequences to the civilised world if we ■ our eyes to the spectacle in which the real military soul of Germany was revealed with brutal frankness."■ COMMENT BY TIMES GERMANY AS A POWER BRITISH CONSIDERATION URGED / (Received September 5. G. 5 p.m.) Times..Cable LONDON, Sept. 5 The Times, in reviewing Germany's flaim to equality in armaments, in conjunction wilh the Steel Helmets' display, says it is not surprising that tho claim for equality in armaments has aroused profound misgivings in neighbouring countries. In urging the British Government to Consider the question as early ns possible the Times remarks that it will be impossible in the long run to keep a firstclass Power in a second-class position. Germany, it says, must be g:.ven no excuse to take unilateral action, so destroying at one stroke all prospects ox general disarmament. ! DEBT TO AMERICA PAYMENT NOW DUE ' POSTPONEMENT SOUGHT (Received September 5. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 5 .. The German Ambassador at Washington, Dr. von Prittwitz und Goifron, has heen instructed to negotiate for a 30 ./months' postponement of the current payment of £3,500,000, due to America under the Mixed Claims' Commission and cost of tho army of occupation^