CUT WITH SWORD

Southland Times, Issue 21658, 21 March 1932, Page 7

CUT WITH SWORD

RIBBON AT BRIDGE DARING MOUNTED MAN MEMBEK OF NEW GUARD A SENSATIONAL EXPLOIT THE CEREMONY PROCEEDS (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, March 19 There was a sensational happening while the Minister of Public Works was speaking at the opening of the Harbour Bridge this morning. An officer mounted on horseback, who was riding behind the Light Horsemen, galloped up to the ribbon which the Premier, Mr Lang, was to cut in declaring the bridge open and slashed it twice with his sword, exclaiming: “I am a member of the Commonwealth Forces, and in the name of decency I declare the bridge open.”

He had hardly uttered the last word when a posse of police dragged him off his horse violently, the rider striking his head on the concrete roadway and his upturned sword narrowly missing a number of police. The ifian, who was detained by the police, gave the name of Captain de Groot of the Royal Hussars. The ribbon was tied together in two places and the ceremony went on as though nothing had occurred. The police acted with such promptitute that only a small section of the people was aware that any thing untoward had happened. Caught By. The Camera. The newspapers feature Captain de Groot’s sensational exploit and his subsequent arrest and removal to the reception house. Some papers publish photographs of the affair, showing de Groot in the act of bringing his sword down on the ribbon and his prostrate form afterwards beneath his horse’s feet as the outcome of the police's rough handling. Newspaper photographers and cinematographers everywhere caught the incident remarkably well. Broad casting announcers, who had an almost uninterrupted view, however, told the outside public a different story—merely that the officer’s horse when playing up broke the ribbon.

The public view of de Groot’s action is extremely varied and dependent on one’s political leanings. Langites bitterly condemned him and would have torn him limb from limb if they got the chance; others described the action either as foolhardy, childish, indiscreet or unwarranted. A fair percentage applauded and described him as a most courageous fellow, taking his life in his hands for a cherished principle.

Do Groot, who is sparely built, of medium height and middle-aged, certainly did what few men dare, as every’ policeman about him was heavily armed and twice his size and weight, while the hooting and ejaculations which marked his arrest and departure revealed that he was in a camp of deadly political enemies.

The precise remarks de Groot made when, with deep emotion he slashed at the ribbon, were not generally heard, but it was ascertained that he declared the bridge open “in the name of decency, decent politics and decent citizens.” He shrieked at the police: “Let me alone! I am a King’s officer. Don’t touch me.” Later, when being removed in a police car, de Groot was capless and swordless, the police having seized both. In the process of his humiliation de Groot was perfectly calm, and looked anything but s fit subject for the reception house. Problem For Police. The police and military authorities are now arguing how de Groot, apparently uninvited, managed to attach himself to the Governor-General’s mounted escort without detection. He is understood to be a zone commander of the New Guard. Colonel Campbell, leader of the New Guard, who held aloof from the bridge ceremony, interviewed, described the police s action as an unforgiveable insult to a levelheaded business man and a gallant cavalry officer. Colonel Campbell considered that the State owed a debt of gratitude to de Groot, and added that a medical examination of de Groot already disclosed that there was no fault to find with his mental condition.

The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, announced that he would have inquiries made to ascertain how de Groot came to be attached to the escort.

A later report states that a strong police guard throughout last night prevented anything in the nature of a New Guard raid at the reception house at Darlinghurst, where de Groot is detained. Developments are expected in his case on Monday. De Groot is a dealer in antiques at Rushcutter’s Bay and is an active member of the New Guard. He served in the war in France for four years. He and his wife came from Fhiblin. The. New South Wales branch of the Returned Soldiers’ League deprecates Saturday’s incident, and declares that de Groot is not one of its members. APPROVAL OF NEW GUARD. (Rec. 11 p.m.) Sydney, March 20 The leader of the New Guard, Colonel Cam[>bell, stated to-night that de Groot s action had the full approval of the New Guard Council.