Naval Maneuvers

The little town of Swinemunde, in northern Germany, dressed itself in gala attire: Field Marshal Paul Ludwig Hans von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, was due to arrive on his first visit since 1877. In due course the aged President appeared, received a hearty welcome. He had come, with Dr. Otto Gessler, Minister of Defense; Admiral Zenker; Rear Admiral Mommsen, to attend the annual maneuvers of the German Navy, held this year in the Bay of Swinemunde.

Boarding the flagship Schleswig-Holstein, the President reviewed the biggest naval parade held since the War. Thirty-five ships with crews totaling 7,000 men, about two-thirds of the Reich's naval strength in ships* and half its strength in men, took part. At the end of his review President von Hindenburg sent a radio thanking all ranks for their work, praising their efficiency.

*The German Navy consists of eiglu battleships: Braunschweig, Elsass, Hanover, Hessen, Schlesien, Schleswig-Holstein, Preussen, Lothringen; eight light cruisers: Nymphe, Medusa, Thetis, Amazone, Arkona, Hamburg, Berlin, Emden; one surveying vessel, Meteour; 32 destroyers and torpedo-boats ; no submarines. The strength of the Navy is governed by the Treaty of Versailles.