The Cruiser Emden

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 676, 30 May 1929, Page 9

The Cruiser Emden

RECEPTION IN AUCKLAND

Should Courtesies Be Paid ? TIIE German Consul in Wellington, Mr. W. Penseler, has suggested that, in view of the controversy in Auckland, it would be advisable to cancel any arrangements for a civic welcome to the officers and men of the cruiser Emden. Yesterday The Sun published a number of letters on the subject of Auckland’s reception to the German visitors. Other letters —the majority of them stressing the necessity of paying formal courtesies to the German visitors—have been received today and are printed below:—

A SALUTE OF GUNS ONLY I Sir, — j Will you allow me to endorse fully Mr. Stanborough-Stephen’s letter on the above subject? As I write this, i in front of me are the medals of my ; two sons, both New Zealanders, slain lon Gallipoli and in Flanders. Ten i years will not let us forget that. I ! also sa w the procession on Anzac Day jof broken and maimed men. I think, j sir, that we should treat this visit with silence, ignore the visitors socially, but give them the usual national • popgun” salute, and bow them quietly out. Should we, with our usual Kritisli fatuity, give a ball in their honour, I pity the state of mind of young women who would dance with them. Why don’t these people try their first visit to Shields, Plymouth, or Bristol? I can’t fancy these German visitors having a. gay time in those old sea towns. How would the Belgians or the French receive them? A. P. HOPKINS. Milford. “ALLIES OF TOMORROW”? The humour of the Emden situation has apparently been overlooked by the more melodramatic of your correspondents, and our worthy city fathers. Have they forgotten that fashions in war are constantly changing, due to the conflicting interests of those concerned? So, remembering that enemies in one war are allies in the next, let us extend hospitality while we have the chance. Who knows, but that a little champagne, judiciously used, may change the destiny ot the Empire. Moreover, those who 15 years ago did the most flag-waving and shouting o£ “Down with Germany!” will with great versatility and as much zeal "hurrah, themselves into hoarseness for the Emden. White endorsing the sentiments of “Young New Zealander, and at the same time thanking you for your valuable space, X have the pleasure of beins ANOTHER young new ZEALANDER. NO CIVILIAN DISPLAY is to be hoped that the powers that be will not, as in von Luckner s time, make a laughing stock of New Zealand by any display of sentiment when the Emden steams into Auckland. In Sydney all that is done, when ships from visiting nations appear, is to fire the traditional salute. Jt is true that we must forgive our enemies and that a new Germany has arisen (in no way responsible for the war), bus. there is still a disinclination to pay reparations. I trust that there will be no display by civilians. All that should be given the German visitors is the usual Naval salute. R.Fv. HATE BEGETS HATE Sir, — . In reply to Mr. Stanborouf Stephens, I want to ask him if ha Is speaking in the name of Mars or Satan, when he says “Courteses, nil,” to the visitors on the Emden. He certainly should not insult God by coupling the name of the Almighty with such sentiments. “Blessed are the peacemakers” are the words of the Gentle Saviour. There is no shadow oi. douot

! that “No Reconciliation" does voice the i thoughtless and ignorant of today, just as in my grandfather’s day it voiced a malignant hatred against the French. God and nature make no mistakes. Hate begets hate, Avars beget wars. Peacemakers are blessed and warmakers accursed. Those who have lost those near and dear must not forget that we were all told that this last war was to end war. If we could bring them back to us, and could listen to the message they would give us. we should hear them tell us to cast out the spirit of hatred, stretch out the hand of friendship, in order to secure for the world international peace: When fhr tear drums cra*r -from throbbing And the battle flans arc furled, In thr Parliament of man. The federation of the -world. RUBY" E. WATSON. St. Heliers. VISITORS FROM GERMANY Sir, — It is well now for Irishmen to come to the fore. Irishmen are the Empire’s greatest fighters, savage in battle, but with the best hearts the moment after, whether it be to A'ictor or vanquished. They Avillingly shake the hands of their English conquerors, and to the German vanquished they give the hand of friendship. That is why the Irish the Avorld over are great men. The Germans fought, and lost. TVe fought, and won. AYe read of some men who have not the spunk to shake hands with their former enemies, but I hardly think that these men were ever soldiers. It will be interesting to see if our returned men will greet these oremy soldier?, and Avhether, after all, those who harbour ill-will are really those Avho stopped at home. DLORAH. VISIT OF EMDEN Sir, — Why worry about a "lead’ ? Haven’t Ave got a “lead ”? Where will our own naval representatives be when the Emden is in our harbour? Off the coast of Queensland, I gather from reports current in your paper. Perhaps if some of the fire-eaters remember that the Emden’s complement is mainly youngsters—cadets, who Avere babies in arms Avhen Ave Avere at war with Germany, it may cool them. The position calls for great tact on both sides. I shall bo surprised if the Emden’s commander is found lacking in that respect, but it will not surprise me in the least if Aucklanders forget that ‘manners makyth man.” Courtesy—most certainly, but sloppy sentimentality most certainly not. The question of the moment is: Can Aucklanders draw the line? That remains to be seen. Britain Avas never yet other than chivalous to a. beaten foe. It will be a pity if her reputation is marred in that respect. It will be found that if any unseemly incidents occur ex-soldiers will not be muddled up in them. I find that it is the people who stayed at home Avho epout fire and brimstone. The man Avho fought “Jerry” will know how to treat him—he’ll let him alone, the same as the navy is doing. Fathers of “flapper” daughters who only know in a dim way that Ave were once at war with Germany will do well to read the riot act and, if necessary, buy a padlock and chain for the Avashhouse—and if necessary use it. X. RAF.