EMDEN AT SUVA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 741, 14 August 1929, Page 18

EMDEN AT SUVA

HOSTILE NEWSPAPERS (From Our Own Correspondent) SUVA, August 4. The arrival of the German cruiser Emden here last month caused a deal of controversy, which, however, did not prevent a. general shaking of hands and burial of the proverbial hatchet by the majority of citizens and the German officers and men. The ZMayor and municipal council‘decided against any civic reception or Mayoral visit. ~ The two newspapers, the “Fiji Times and Herald" and “Pacific Press" were decidedly hostile to the visitors, and many regretted the tone of their articles. The well-known British sporting spirit came to the rescue when the fellows of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Association voted that their president, Captain S. H. Ellis, 0.8. E., should officially visit the Emden and bid officers and men Welcome. Furthermore, the president wrote a. tactful letter to the Press regretting the hostility, and quoting the words of the Prince of Wales when he welcomed the German Rhodes scholars back to oxford. . At the farewell dance at the Grand Pacific Hotel, at which his Excellency the Governor was present, Sir Maynard Hedstrom, in thanking the commander of the cruiser for the services of the ship's band, said that the ambition of the world’s statesmen today was peace, and after 11 years of peace with‘ Germany it was well to finally bury the hatchet. In reply, Captain Von Arnauld de la Periere said that sailors and soldiers had but to do their duty. After 11 years he thought “we should make the shake—hands." He publicly thanked Captain S. 11. Ellis, 0.8. E., for his letter to the Press.