SUDDEN FRANKNESS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 7

SUDDEN FRANKNESS

GERMAN LEGIONARIES WELCOMED DESCRIBED AS GREAT HEROES ■United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 31 According to agency reports from Hamburg German "volunteers” who took part in the Spanish civil war arrived back th?re to-day and were ceremoniously welcomed by Field Marshal Goering. The German newspapers have been carrying accounts of Germany’s part in “securing the victory of the Insurgent forces.” The Berlin correspondents of British newspapers have been somewhat bewildered by the sudden frank disclosure in detail of German participation. They ask how arc they to reconcile these revelations with the heated protests formerly appearing in these same German newspapers w’hrn any suggestion was made that Germany was intervening in Spain—suggestions which were described as foreign press lies. “Nobody at home knew anything about the Germon Legion in Spain,” declared Field Marshal Goering in a speech of welcome. “Nobody spoke of their heroism. To-day all are honouring the heroes.” Field Marshal Goering gave medals to all Legionaries. CADIZ, May 31 Six hundred Italians left for home on the transport Umbria. RETURN OF ITALIANB VICTORY PARADE IN ROME i GERMANY’S CHANGED FRONT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, June 1 The Spanish Nationalists report that all the Italian troops have sailed from Cadiz except for small units of technicians who arc remaining to take care of warplanes and other equipment. Huge crowds last night cheered the departure of seven troopships, each carrying 2300 men, among whom are 3000 Spaniards who will take part in a victory parade in Rome- Two more ships sailed this morning.

The Minister of the Interior, Senor Serrano Suner, who is General Franco’s brother-in-law, and also the Italian General Gambara, accompanied by 20 Spanish Army and Navy officers, are sailing for Italy in a cruiser. Several correspondents of- British newspapers, writing from Germany, recall the repeated official denials issued in Berlin and the statements made on behalf of the German Government before the Non-Intervention Committee. A Surprising Fact Others recall the decree issued by the German Government early in 1937 in conformity with the resolutions of the Non-Intervention Committee, which prohibited participation by Germans in the Spanish civil war, and comment on the surprising fact that although the decree was cited in German communications to the Non-Intervention Committee, high German officers who contravened it by going to Spain to command German units there and help In the training of the Spanish forces, have returned to occupy important positions in Germany, without, it seems incurring any of the penalties provided in the decree.