GOOSE-STEP AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 39, 9 May 1927, Page 1

GOOSE-STEP AGAIN

DISPLAY IN BERLIN WAR SPIRIT REVIVES STEEL HELMETS’ AMBITIONS By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 11.40 a.m. BERLIN, Sunday. The goose-step and field grey uniforms returned to the capital during the week-end, when 80,000 ex-service men carrying hundreds of war standards on which the steel helmet was embossed marched past the grandstands at the stadium.

It was the first big military cere monial since the war.

A former high army commander galloped ahead of the columns which swung along the field goose-stepping and pausing with lowered flags in front of a special box in which were the ex-Kaiser’s two sons, Prince August and Prince Oscar, and several war-time generals and admirals who stood for the salute. After the manoeuvres the princes and generals reviewed the troops to the accompaniment of martial music of “Germany Over All,” the majority of

the 50,000 onlookers joining in. At a similar parade at the Lustogarten adjoining the ex-Kaiser’s palace, several disturbances took place and there were 200 arrests.

The ‘‘steel helmets” virtually took possession of Berlin, and extraordinary vigilance by the police prevented many riots. GREAT UNARMED MILITIA

A great unarmed militia is the only fitting name for the formidable array of medalled war veterans and war-like recruits.

Though they did not display the precision of movement and smartness of dress and bearing which characterised pre-war ceremonials, it is unmistakably military in equipment, organisation and discipline. It is the standard-bearer in demilitarised Germany. The old military tradition, the goosestep, the war standards and martial music are its stock in trade and memories of battle, defiance of defeat, and belief in the future glory of Germany are its life and soul. There were 100,000 spectators obviiously sympathetic, and after the sharp words of command and wellexecuted manoeuvres, the leader from the steps of the National Gallery addressed the entire assembly. TREATIES NOT RECOGNISED The speech was carried to the throng by loud speakers. He said that the “Steel Helmets” did not recognise the Treaty of Versailles or later treaties and agreements. He demanded the restoration of conscription, the revocation of war guilt and the declaration which was extracted from Germany forcibly, and above all the restoration of the black and white flag under which Germany had carried on a most heroic struggle against the world. The latter statement brought tremendous applause. A two minutes’ silence in memory of the dead was then observed, followed by the hymn “Germany Over All,” four times repeated.—A. and N.Z.