BRITISH LEGION

Southland Times, Issue 25310, 13 June 1935, Page 7

BRITISH LEGION

PRINCE’S SUGGESTION MEMBERS SHOULD VISIT GERMANY HAND OF FRIENDSHIP (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 11. “I feel that no more suitable body of men could stretch forth the hand of friendship to Germany than ex-service men who fought in the war and have now forgotten all about it,” said the Prince of Wales, addressing the British Legion Conference in reference to the president’s suggestion that representatives of the legion should visit Germany. Ex-service men warmly welcomed the Prince of Wales’s announcement. The Prince of Wales addressed old comrades,” as he called ex-servicemen of the British Legion, at their conference. The Prince expressed himself as heartily in favour of bringing the younger generation into their ranks, “for,” he said, “we are none of us getting any younger.” Colonel E. C. Heath, secretary-gen-eral of the legion, said the chairman » and ex-chairman would soon be going to Berlin in order to investigate the possibilities of establishing friendly contact with German ex-service men. After this visit the executive would consider further action. French ex-servicemen have already visited Germany and have been accorded a warm welcome. SPEECH APPLAUDED LONDON NEWSPAPERS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.0 p.m.) London, June 12. The newspapers applaud the Prince of Wales’s suggestion. The NewsChronicle points out that he has again boldly and effectively used his position to secure the attention which other speakers could hardly have hoped to command. GERMAN COMMENT SUGGESTION WELCOMED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Berlin, June 11. General Goering welcomes the Prince of Wales’s remarks as perfectly in line with Herr Hitler’s policy and adds: “The visit would help to preserve world peace.” General Goering said the “Prince of Wales’s speech was a milestone on the road to understanding between Britain and Germany. It was the greatest contribution to the achievement of world peace for some time. Herr Ribbentrop said that British exservice men were sure of a welcome by German ex-service men and the people. Every German paper gave prominence to the Prince of Wales’s statement, which, however, was coolly received in France. Herr Hitler, General Goering and Herr Hess were apprised of the Prince’s utterance.

The Lokal Anzeiger says the Prince of Wales’s statement, which was certainly not. made without the agreement of the Government, shows that a change in sentiment is making itself felt in England, which was especially marked in the demands of the Dominion representatives at the time of the King’s Jubilee. The speech had the greatest reception of any outside the frontiers for many months.