VON HINDENBURG

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1927, Page 2

VON HINDENBURG

GREATEST RECEPTION ON RECORD. (Australian & N.Z; Cable Association.) BERLIN, Oct. 2. No royal Kaiser has been accorded such a reception as that given to 1 I ®- sident Von Hindenburg in his triumphal progress on liis 80th birthday, through the city. The pomp and splendour of the old regime was reborn for the day, and- seven miles of streets, through which the President drove from the Palace to the Stadium, were thronged from daylight by young and old, anxious to show respect for the veteran President-war-rior. More than one hundred thousand ex-soldiers in semi-military uniform, replete with martial banners, standards, and war flags, decorated with green oak leaves, many of the men having tho Iron Cross pinned on their breasts, marched through the streets to take up their position as guard of honour. There also were top-hatted, frock-coated, be-medalled veterans of the older wars, and numerous ex-officers in full military uniform glittering with medals and orders as well as Bavarian and Tyrolese

peasants, with picturesque national costumes, and students in gala attire. Behind a double row of these exsoldiers, the public looked on, cheering wildly as an open car with President Von Hindenburg and Chancellor Marx passed along to the Stadium. President Von Hindenburg, in a frock coat and top hat. showed, as always, no emotion. He remained upright and immobile. On arrival at tho Stadium, where forty thousand bnght-lv-attired children awaited him, the President drove slowly around the arena, while a gigantic chorus, homing garlands of flowers, sang patriotic songs. , \fter this, President Von Hmden--1 burg rose, and, amid a deep silence, 1 he thanked tho children, and urged them not to forget their Fatherland. 1 He called for three cheers for Ger- ' nianv, and there was a deafening re- ‘ spouse, after which the multitude joined, in singing “Deutcliland Über , Alles.” ; The President returned by the same . route to the Palace. The enthusiasm was boundless, elear- - lv indicating a popularity such as no i German idol lias attained since Bis- - marck. , f Republican flags were everywhere 3 displayed, while every shop window and advertisement hoarding contained t the President’s photograph. Street : l traders retailed tens of thousands of j portrait buttons. . „ The Generals of the old Army. Genn era Is Mackenson, Von Kluck, and Lmsingen, and Admiral Schroeder were 0 among the well-wishers, y. A notable absentee was General Lu,f dendoiff. , ’ Replying to General Mnckensen s congratulatory speech, President Aon Hindenburg said:—“Our spirit sti I ’ 0 lives! By this spirit shall we won; our "way up again 1” " The President received sixteen tliousand telegrams from all parts ol the . world.