Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 8 May 1933, page 11


THE KÖLN.

German Cruiser Arrives. EMBLEMS AT THE BOW.

The German cruiser Köln arrived in Syd-ney on Saturday morning, and was greeted by a salute of 21 guns from Garden Island. In token of friendship she flew a White En-sign as well as the German flag. She berthed at Circular Quay.

Ceremony was observed as the official courtesies began. Captain Schniewind (who wears the Iron Cross of the 1st and 2nd classes) early left the ship to call on the Governor, the Chief Justices of the Common-wealth and of the State, the Lord Mayor, Mr. Weaver (representing the Premier), and the senior naval and military officers. Return-ing, he was piped on board with the guard formed and bugles sounding.

"There is no political meaning in our visit,"

said Captain Schniewind, in an interview. "In Italy, in Madras, and at the Australian ports, I have found no trace of hostile feeling en-gendered by the war. It is as if all were anxious to say: 'It is gone, it is forgotten, let us finish it.' In Madras we felt uncertain at first, for the Emden bombarded the oil tanks there. Yet we had a truly hospitable reception from both English residents and Indians. In Australia the Köln has en-joyed a hearty welcome. At each port we have quickly found friends, not only among Australians of German descent, and the sailors have been able to make many motor trips and excursions."

Captain Schniewind was on the Far East-ern station in 1909-11. During the war he saw all his service on destroyers. His second and third ships were mined. There was a special interest for Captain Schniewind in a meeting in Australia with a British naval officer who remembered a destroyer engage-

ment in the North Sea in which both of them had fought. It was curious for each to learn "how it had been on the other side."

Visitors to the Köln speculated on the mean-ing of the coat of arms topping the cruiser's bow. It is a reminder of mediaeval Ger-

many. Quaint legends cling about the arms of the city of Cologne whose name the cruiser bears. There are three high crowns on a red field, and on the white below are 11 queer black signs. The crowns are those of the Three Kings, the Wise Men of the East, for in a shrine in Cologne Cathedral the bones of Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar are declared by legend to rest. The 11 black signs represent tongues, and recall a legend of the fourth century. It was a British Saint — St. Ursula — who suffered martyrdom at Cologne. She brought with her 11,000 saintly virgins, who also accepted martyrdom. The Köln bears too the sign of the Three Magi, who were men of wisdom.

WREATH PLACED ON CENOTAPH.

Captain Schniewind and 180 members of the crew of the Köln assembled in Martin-place   to place a wreath on the Cenotaph yesterday. Those present included the Lord Mayor (Alderman Hagon), the Honorary Minis-

ter (Mr Hawkins), representing the State Government, Major Chapman (representing the State Commandant), the German Consul-

General (Dr. Asmis) and members of the Legacy Club, and between 300 and 400 people watched the ceremony.

The detachment marched up Pitt-street to the Cenotaph. Captain Schniewind placed   the wreath, his men removing their caps and standing at attention. Four Australian trumpeters sounded calls.

To-day at 12.50 p.m. the Consul-General for Germany (Dr Asmis) will give a luncheon at the Hotel Australia in honour of the command-ing officer and officers. The German Club Concordia will hold a reception and dance to-day, to be followed by dances on Thursday and Saturday.

The Soccer football team from the Köln will play the Royal Australian Naval team at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Lyne Park. The band of the cruiser will give a concert in the Town Hall on Friday at 8 p.m. On Wednes-day the commanding officer will leave for Canberra to pay official calls on the Governor-General and the Commonwealth Government.

The Köln will be open for inspection to the public on Wednesday May 10, and Saturday May 13, from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., and to the German community on Tuesday, May 9, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Köln will sail on May 15 at 9 a.m.