These news articles document a high-profile world tour by a Nazi German newspaper delegation which visited Korea (Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Seoul) on May 11-12, 1939 after visiting mainland Japan for about two weeks. There were about 13 members led by Richard Foerster (1879-1952), who served as a leader in German-Japanese diplomacy after retiring from active naval service. Accompanying him was Peter Winkelnkemper (1902-1944), a prominent Nazi journalist who was editor-in-chief of Cologne Nazi newspaper Westdeutscher Beobachter. Winkelnkemper would later be appointed Oberbürgermeister of Cologne on January 4, 1941, where he would remain before dying of a heart attack in 1944.
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| The German newspaper delegation arrives at Seoul Station on May 11, 1939. |
The newspaper went to the unusual trouble of printing the front page with red ink to depict both the Rising Sun flag and the Nazi swastika flag, underscoring how exceptional and ceremonial the occasion was.
This post covers only the front-page reporting on the Nazi delegation’s visit to colonial Korea. Additional articles and photos related to the visit appear deeper in the newspaper, and I plan to transcribe, translate, and post those separately as time permits. One article covers the delegation’s political discussions at the Army Commander’s official residence. Another provides extensive coverage of a question-and-answer session between Richard Foerster and Korean elementary school students, in which the children ask about Nazi Germany and Foerster responds by explaining Hitler’s teachings before leading them in a Heil Hitler salute. There is also a substantial article on the 7:00 p.m. banquet hosted by the Seoul press corps, where the delegation was toasted, dined, and entertained with traditional dance and musical performances by Korean kisaeng (comfort women). I will post these materials as time allows.
[Translation]
Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) May 12, 1939
Welcome!
German Newspaper Delegation from Our Allied Nation
Lavishly praising a Korea that is surging forward
They entered Seoul amid a storm of cheers
Immediately visit the shrine, the Government-General, and other sites
The delegation of German newspaper representatives sent to Japan by Hitler, leader of Germany, our allied nation—thirteen members under delegation head Richard Foerster (with Herrn Walter and Rudolf Weisse remaining in mainland Japan)—had, since landing at Yokohama on April 27, toured various cities in mainland Japan. Confronted with the true state of Japan displaying a spirit burning under “Holy War,” they opened their eyes in amazement at Japan's strength and, raising voices of trust and joy, cried, “Oh, our friends!”
Having completed their itinerary in mainland Japan, they arrived at Busan at 6:00 a.m. on May 11th aboard the ferry Kongō Maru, where they were welcomed in good spirits by waves of the two countries’ flags filling the pier.
As the landscape of the Korean peninsula, full of youthful vigor, appeared through the train windows, they repeatedly exclaimed in admiration, and at 1:35 p.m. they entered Seoul on the Akatsuki train. Amid a storm of cheers from those filling the station platform—representatives of the Government-General, newspaper companies, and various organizations—they repeatedly said “Thank you,” then went directly from the station to pay their respects at Chōsen Shrine. They then visited Acting Governor-General Minami’s representative, Director of Political Affairs Ōno, at the Government-General, and at 2:50 p.m., after paying a call at Changdeok Palace, proceeded to the residence of the Commander of the Korean Army.
Nothing but cheers and waves of flags
A pictorial scroll of friendship on the Busan wharf
Bound firmly by a pledge of anti-communism that reaches to the heavens, the Nazi press delegation from our allied nation, having journeyed from afar to verdant Japan, with delegation head Foerster and thirteen members in all, completed a two-week itinerary in mainland Japan and, together with Chairman Ichige and accompanying officials, landed at Busan on the morning of May 11th at 6:00 a.m. from the Shimonoseki–Busan ferry Kongō Maru.
That morning, the sky over Busan welcoming the delegation was fresh beneath the lightly overcast early-summer breeze, and even the flocks of seagulls darting about seemed especially beautiful. It was a perfect day for welcoming the delegation.
At 5:40 a.m., as the Kongō Maru carrying the party came into view in the harbor, the welcoming group waiting on the bridge burst into cheers. Already the lively flags of German-Japanese friendship were being waved—swastika flags and Rising Sun flags—and the party on the upper deck responded with the Nazi salute, creating what the article depicts as a heartwarming scene of friendship.
Then, at 6:00 a.m., when the massive Kongō Maru drew alongside the pier, the delegation head and the others descended the gangway, passed beneath crossed Japanese and German national flags, and, responding to the storm of welcome, proceeded to the second platform. There, rows of students from various schools, numerous representatives of different organizations, and many officials and civilians, all lined up and eagerly awaiting the party’s boarding, showered these unusual guests from a friendly allied nation with cheers of welcome. Waves of flags were furiously waved, and the station front roared with joy, unfolding a dramatic pictorial scroll of German-Japanese friendship. At 6:50 a.m., cutting through the early-summer morning, they boarded a first-class carriage of the Akatsuki train. Sent off by swelling cheers and a tempest of flags, the party then headed straight for Seoul.
“The party is full of energy”
Escort committee chairman speaks
Mr. Kōzō Ichige, consul-general and chairman of the escort committee accompanying the German newspaper delegation, spoke as follows on the Busan pier regarding the movements and condition of the party:
"I believe it is a very gratifying thing that the closeness of friendship between the Japanese and German peoples has been drawing nearer day by day since the delegation’s arrival in Korea. At the banquet in Osaka in particular, scenes of friendship were displayed in a very natural way. The members of the party themselves never seemed to feel that they were among strangers; rather, they appeared throughout to feel as though they were among friends and relatives. In this respect, I believe this visit has been a success of a kind not seen in previous delegations.
All the members are in good health, and despite the short schedule and the lack of rest days, they are more energetic than ever and are enthusiastically determined to gain a full understanding of Korea, Manchuria, and North China."
Deeply impressed by the martial spirit
Mr. Winkelnkemper, vice head of delegation, speaks on behalf of the delegation
Representing the delegation as a whole, Mr. Peter Winkelnkemper, vice head of the delegation and editor-in-chief of the Westdeutscher Beobachter, spoke to the Busan newspaper reporters in the observation car of the Akatsuki train after the Nazi newspaper delegation ceremonially set foot in Busan. He gave the following impressions:
"During our approximately two-week stay in mainland Japan, we members of the German newspaper delegation received extremely deep impressions and inspiration from all kinds of places and all levels of society. This was because the Information Department of the Japanese Foreign Ministry arranged our itinerary with the utmost care and precision for our benefit. Thanks to this, we were able to gain a very favorable impression and to come to understand the present condition of Japan, which is truly a matter of great satisfaction for us.
Of course, among the favorable impressions from our visit to Japan, there is one that we can never forget for the rest of our lives: we were granted the awe-inspiring honor of an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty bestowed upon us exceedingly gracious kindness and words of benevolence, and also addressed us on various matters concerning the promotion of German-Japanese friendship. This is something that moved us beyond all expression. His Majesty also, in His graciousness, extended His august concern to our journey, and at His repeated words the entire party was filled with reverent awe and deep emotion.
The impressions we received in the principal cities of Japan that we visited during these two weeks—Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe, and others—were also extremely favorable. To summarize those impressions briefly, we were able to see that throughout Japan there was a vigorous and spirited will overflowing among the Japanese people; in particular, there was the great vitality of Japan and the fact that the people were united and working together under His Majesty the Emperor. Furthermore, the country was filled with a martial spirit, and Japanese culture was outstandingly refined.
This culture, we feel, is one in which Japan’s traditional culture of ancient origin has very skillfully incorporated modern culture and harmonized it. This made one of the deepest impressions on us. We were especially struck as well by the lively spirit and organization of the youth.
I should also like to add a word about Japan’s martial spirit. During our stay we inspected two or three institutions, among them the Akeno Army Flying School and the Naval Academy at Kure. At both of these schools, all of us recognized the manifestation of the martial spirit and of a reverent and self-sacrificing spirit of unity and cooperation under His Majesty the Emperor, and we were deeply impressed and newly astonished.
Another thing that left a deep impression on us was the fact that in every quarter in Japan—among all sorts of organizations, officials and private citizens, and the general public alike—we were welcomed on a nationwide basis. Everywhere, the swastika flag and the Japanese national flag were raised for us, and for this we cannot be sufficiently grateful.
Today our party has set foot in Korea for the first time, and I ask that through your newspaper you convey to the people of Korea our profound gratitude.
Although our stay will be short, we intend to remain in Korea for a time, inspect Manchuria and North China, and then return to our country. Finally, I wish sincerely to express our gratitude for the fact that from early in the morning so many people—schoolchildren first among them, together with official and civilian organizations alike—came to give us so magnificent a welcome."
Welcome and Send-off in Daegu
[Telephone report from Daegu] The German newspaper delegation passed through Daegu northbound on the express train Akatsuki, which arrived at 8:42 a.m. On the station platform, Governor Kōtaki of North Gyeongsang Province, Daegu Mayor Furuichi, other representatives from official and civilian circles, and local newspaper reporters — about 500 people in all — were on hand to greet them, enthusiastically cheering “Banzai” in welcome and farewell. During the five-minute stop, Governor Kōtaki delivered words of welcome, and Mayor Furuichi presented three baskets of apples. In response, a representative of the German newspaper delegation offered a polite greeting.
Welcome and Send-off in Daejeon
[Telephone report from Daejeon] The express train Akatsuki, carrying both the visiting German newspaper delegation and the delegation of child representatives from all over Korea traveling to Ise Shrine, slid into Daejeon Station on May 11th at the scheduled time of 11:03 a.m. The platform was filled with representatives of schools and various organizations, along with Governor Jong Gyo-won (정교원, 鄭僑源) of South Chungcheong Province. After exchanging a firm handshake with Governor Jong on the platform, delegation head Richard Foerster encouraged the eight child representatives from South Chungcheong Province and North Chungcheong Province who were getting off at Daejeon, saying, “What splendid children you are! When you grow up, you must become prime ministers.”
Arrival at Seoul Station
The members of the German newspaper delegation arrived on the Akatsuki train at 1:35 p.m. on May 11th. Led by delegation head Admiral Richard Foerster, they stepped down at rain-swept Seoul Station, their imposing physiques wrapped in raincoats amid the steady May drizzle. On that day, the head of police affairs for Gyeonggi Province and many officials and civilians of Seoul waved the Japanese Rising Sun and the German swastika flag high overhead and shouted “Banzai,” to which the delegates responded with a quick raising of the right hand in salute. The delegation then exchanged firm handshakes with President Hayami of Seoul Imperial University and Mr. Hupper, lecturer in the Seoul Imperial University preparatory course, after which they passed through the station’s VIP room under a fierce barrage of flashes from newspaper photographers. Without even pausing to rest, they divided among the automobiles waiting outside the station and, as they proceeded through the rain toward Chōsen Shrine, they were greeted all along Namdaemun by elementary schoolchildren waving flags and crying “Banzai.”
Visit to Chōsen Shrine
Having entered the city in the rain and leaving behind the storm of cheers at Seoul Station, the German newspaper delegation drove in a line of automobiles through city streets decorated with the national flags of Japan and Germany, heading straight for Chōsen Shrine. The thirteen members, led by the delegation chief, arrived at the shrine at 1:50 p.m., where they were met by Chief Priest Achiwa. After resting briefly at the shrine office, the delegation proceeded at 2:00 p.m., composed and formal in bearing, to pay their respects at the shrine. Gazing down upon the majestic expanse of Greater Seoul, blurred in the rain below, they reportedly exclaimed in admiration, “This truly is the capital of the Korean peninsula, the base of the axis for the rejuvenation of Asia,” before departing to pay a visit to the Government-General.
The Delegation Visits the Government-General
Handshake with the Governor-General’s Political Affairs Chief
After completing their visit to Chōsen Jingū, the members of the German newspaper delegation, guided by Mr. Yoshimitsu, secretary in the Foreign Affairs Department of the Government-General, visited the Government-General office at 2:20 p.m. on the 11th. The twelve delegates, led by delegation head Foerster, went directly into the office of the Director of Political Affairs, where, in the presence of Acting Chief of Police Affairs Itō, head of the Police Affairs Section, and Nobuhara, head of the Documents Section, Director of Political Affairs Ōno and delegation head Foerster exchanged a dramatic, firm handshake symbolizing Japanese-German friendship.
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| "Director of Political Affairs Ōno and delegation head Foerster exchanged a dramatic, firm handshake symbolizing Japanese-German friendship." |
After this, delegation head Foerster, speaking on behalf of the delegation, offered the formal greeting for the delegation’s arrival in Korea, saying: “Today we have entered the capital. I hope that we may be shown every aspect of the New Rising Korea.”
In response, Director Ōno, speaking on behalf of the staff of the Government-General, replied in substance: “Despite the rain, you have come a great distance to visit us, for which we warmly welcome you. The Korean people have been sincerely awaiting Your Excellency and your delegation’s visit to Korea. A modest luncheon has been arranged at noon on the 12th, and I ask that you attend. At that time, I hope we may have the opportunity to hear your views on many matters.”
With that, the party departed the Government-General at 2:50 p.m. and headed for Changdeok Palace in order to sign the visitors’ register.
Praise for the Japanese Spirit
Delegation Head Foerster Speaks in the Train Car
When this news journalist visited the train car carrying the newspaper delegation from Germany, our ally, and conveyed on behalf of this newspaper our welcome to the delegation, Mr. Foerster — a solidly built man who called to mind a naval officer — thanked us for our courtesy as the head of the delegation. Although he was said already to be sixty years old, he seemed remarkably vigorous for someone who had been traveling such a long distance. He then spoke of his impressions as follows:
“We have come as a cultural mission, and so we have not paid very much attention to outward facilities such as railways or telegraph systems. What has instead been deeply impressed upon our minds is the extraordinary spiritual intensity that Japan displays.
I visited Japan once thirty-six years ago, and then again twelve years ago aboard the Emden. At that time it was just after the Great Kantō Earthquake, and Japan was in the midst of strenuous efforts to absorb the culture of Europe and America. At the time, I harbored a certain needless anxiety that, if this development continued as it was, it might someday bring about a great upheaval between Japan’s own traditional culture and the foreign culture it was adopting.
And yet, on this visit, I have seen that all the outside culture once imported by Japan has been wholly Japanized, and that, through the vigorous strength of the Japanese people as a nation, and through their national worth and virtues, foreign civilization has not merely been adopted but has been transcended and absorbed back into Japan’s own native culture. Seeing this, I have been struck with amazement at the assimilative power of the Japanese spirit.
Another thing that has especially impressed me is how thoroughly Japan’s youth are educated. One feels, through Japan’s own martial ways such as kendo and judo, how strong is the awareness among the young that they are to devote themselves wholly to the nation, and how their spirit seems almost to pierce the heavens.
And what has been for us the highest possible honor was to be granted an audience with His Majesty the Emperor and to have the privilege of attending the military review on the Emperor’s Birthday. In the faces of the military men there appeared a burning passion for the military nation, and a pure expression of a kind one could fully trust. I felt that this was truly the manifestation of the spirit of the Japanese soldier. In that spirit there was plainly visible an untainted beauty, and I felt deeply the strength of the Japanese soldiery under the Emperor.
We also paid our respects at Yasukuni Shrine, where we saw tens of thousands of people, including women and children, earnestly bowing their heads before the heroic spirits who died in defense of the nation. What I felt there was not sorrow, but a solemn and proud sense that this was an honor belonging to the Japanese nation, and this filled me with profound respect.”
Recorded at the Moment: Welcoming the German Newspaper Delegation
- The members of the delegation have already inspected various parts of the Japanese mainland and should by now have seen Japan as it truly is.
- There is no need now to put on any special display and say to them, “Please look at the peninsula in this way.”
- There is only one thing that must not escape notice: that in this time of national emergency, Korea too, as one important wing of Japan, is pressing forward in the sacred enterprise of advancing Asia.
- Members of the delegation, come, see, and return home with your impressions formed through eyes that are free and candid.
- On that same day, the children’s delegation returning from pilgrimage to Ise also comes home. And with what souvenir have they filled their travel bags?
- Surely it is this: that they have become splendid and strong subjects of Japan.
Itinerary of the German Newspaper Delegation
May 11th, 1939
- 1:35 p.m. Arrive at Seoul Station
- 1:45 p.m. Depart Seoul Station
- 1:50 p.m. Visit Chōsen Shrine
- 2:10 p.m. Depart Chōsen Shrine
- 2:20 p.m. Visit the Government-General Building
- 2:40 p.m. Depart the Government-General Building
- 2:50 p.m. Pay respects at Changdeok Palace
- 3:10 p.m. Depart Changdeok Palace
- 3:25 p.m. Visit the Army Commander’s official residence
- 3:45 p.m. Depart the Army Commander’s official residence
- 4:00 p.m. Arrive at the Chōsen Hotel (meeting with Seoul-based newspaper reporters; motion-picture screening)
- 6:50 p.m. Depart the hotel
- 7:00 p.m. Banquet hosted by the Seoul press corps at Meigetsukan
- 9:10 p.m. Return to the hotel
May 12th, 1939
- 9:00 a.m. Depart the hotel
- 9:40 a.m. Arrive at the Volunteer Training Center for inspection
- 11:00 a.m. Arrive at Kyodong Elementary School for inspection
- 11:35 a.m. Observe the Yi Royal Household Court Music Division
- 12:00 p.m. Arrive at the Governor-General’s official residence (luncheon hosted by the Director of Political Affairs)
- 2:00 p.m. Depart the Governor-General’s official residence
- 2:10 p.m. Arrive at the hotel
- 3:05 p.m. Depart the hotel
- 3:15 p.m. Arrive at Seoul Station
- 3:20 p.m. Depart Seoul Station for Manchuria
Photo: German newspaper delegation enters Seoul. Top: Arrival at Seoul Station; Bottom: Delegation head Foerster shakes hands with the Director of Political Affairs
[Transcription]
京城日報 1939年5月12日
歓迎
盟邦ドイツ新聞使節団
躍進朝鮮を絶讃
歓呼の嵐に埋れ入城
直に神宮参拝本府其他訪問
盟邦独逸のヒトラー総統が、独の言論界を総動員して我国へおくった訪日独逸新聞使節団団長以下十三名は（ヴァルター、ルドルフ・ヴァイゼ両氏は内地に滞留）さる四月二十七日横浜上陸以来内地各都市を視察。聖戦下燃ゆるような意気をみせている日本の真の姿にその力強さに驚嘆の眼をみはり『おおわが友よ』と信頼と喜びの声をあげ、内地における視察日程を終って十一日午前六時釜山入港の連絡船『金剛丸』で桟橋を埋めつくした両国旗の波に迎えられ元気で釜山上陸。
車窓に映ずる若人半島の姿に、感嘆詞を連発しながら午後一時三十五分『あかつき』で入城。本府をはじめ新聞社、各団体等駅頭を埋めて迎える歓呼の嵐に『ありがとう』を連発しながら駅から直ちに朝鮮神宮に参拝。本府に南総督代理大野政務総監を訪問、同二時五十分昌徳宮に伺候したのち朝鮮軍司令官官邸に向った。
ただ歓呼と旗の波
釜山埠頭の交驩絵巻
天に結ぶ防共の誓いも固くはるばる青葉の日本を訪れた明邦ナチスの訪日新聞使節フェルスター団長以下十三名の一行は二週間に亘る内地の日程を了へ、市毛委員長以下随員と共に十一日午前六時入港の関釜連絡船『金剛丸』で釜山に上陸第一歩を印した。
この朝一行を迎える釜山の空は、朝曇の初夏の薫風にすがすがしく、飛び交うかもめの群も一層美しい。使節を迎えるに適しい歓迎日和である。
午前五時四十分一行を乗せた『金剛丸』は港内にその姿を見せるやブリッヂに待構えた歓迎陣はドッとばかり歓呼。早くも賑やかな日独交驩の旗を打振るハーケンクロイツ、日章旗の歓迎に上甲板の一行はナチス式の礼を以てこれに応えほほえましい親善風景を拡げる。
かくて午前六時『金剛丸』の巨体が桟橋に横着けとなるや団長以下タラップを降り交叉した日独大国旗を潜って、歓迎の嵐に応えつつ第二ホームに至るや整列して一行の乗車を待ち侘びている各学校生徒各種団体官民多数の歓迎陣は友邦の珍客ようこそと歓呼を浴びせ、打ちふる旗の波、喜びにどよめく駅頭は劇的な日独親善の交驩絵巻を繰展げ、六時五十年初夏の朝を切って『あかつき』一等車に乗車。一行は巻き起こる歓呼と旗の嵐に送られて一路京城に向った。
一行は張り切っております
随伴委員長語る
ドイツ新聞使節団の随伴委員長総領事市毛孝三氏は一行の動静について釜山桟橋で次の如く語った。
日独両国民の親善の距離が一行の来朝以来日に日に接近しつつあることは一行が特に認めたところで非常に喜ばしいことであると思います。殊に大阪における晩餐会では非常に親善の情景を而も自然に発揮していました。一行としても他人の中に入った気持はなく友達、親戚の中にいる様な気持で終始していた様で此点従来の団に例を見なかった成功だと信じています。
一行は皆健康で短時日、しかも休養のない日程にもかかわらず益々元気一杯で朝鮮、満州、北支の十分な認識を得たいと張り切って居ります。
尚武の魂に感銘
一行を代表ヴ副団長談
釜山に晴れの上陸第一歩を印したナチスの新聞使節として一行を代表し、副団長バーター・ヴィンケムバー氏（ヴェストドイツチュルベオバハター主筆）は『あかつき』展望車内で釜山新聞記者団に対し次ぎの如く感想を語った。
我等独逸新聞使節一行は約二週間の日本、内地の滞在でその間各種各層に亘って非常に深き印象と感銘を受けました。これは我らのために日本外務省情報部がその日程を細密に行届いた様に樹てられたので、そのおかげで非常に良い印象を得、日本の現状を知ることが出来ましたことは洵に喜びにたえぬ所であります。
勿論この訪日好印象は我々終生忘れることが出来ない畏れ多くも、聖上陛下に拝謁を賜わりました。陛下は非常なる御厚意と御親切なる御言葉を我々に賜わり日独親善の増進関係にも色々御言葉を賜わりましたことは我々の洵に感激措く能わざる所であります。陛下にはなお御親切にも我々の旅行に御聖慮を垂れさせられ、重ね重ねの御言葉に一行は恐懼感激しておる次第であります。
我々がこの二週間に廻った東京、大阪、名古屋、奈良、京都、神戸等の日本各主要都市において受けた印象も非常に良かった。その印象をざっと申し上げますと、日本各地に於いて日本国民が元気溌剌たる意志が漲っていることを認められたことで特に日本の生活力の旺盛と国民の天皇陛下の御許に一致共同しておるということ。更に尚武の精神に満ち満ちており、又日本の文化が非常に優れた点であります。
この文化は日本古来の伝統的文化に近代文化を洵に巧に採り入れ、これを調節した文化であって我々の最も深い印象であります。特に又青少年の溌剌たる意気と組織というものに感銘したのであります。
ここで付言したいのは日本の尚武の精神で、我々も滞在中二、三の施設中明野陸軍飛行学校、呉の海軍兵学校を見学しましたが、この両校でも尚武の精神と、天皇陛下の御許に一致協力する敬神的、犠牲的精神の発露を一同認めて我々は非常に感銘し、新たなる驚嘆を覚えたのであります。
尚印象の深かったことは我々に対して日本の各方面、各団体官民、一般大衆等朝野をあげて歓迎されたことでありまして、到る所ハーケンクロイツ旗と日本国旗とを掲げて頂いたことは、洵に感謝に堪えない次第であります。私等一行は今日朝鮮に第一歩を印しましたが、貴紙を通じて朝鮮の方々に我々一行の深甚なる感謝をお伝え下さるようにお願い申します。
なお我々は短期滞在ではあるが朝鮮に滞在し、満州、北支を視察して帰国の予定であります。最後に一行を朝早くから学校生徒を初め、官民団体を網羅してかくも盛大にお迎え下さったことをまことに感謝致す次第であります。
大邱の歓送迎
【大邱電話】独逸新聞使節一行は午前八時四十二分大邱通過の特急『あかつき』で通過北行したが、駅ホームには上瀧慶北知事、古市大邱府尹以下官民各代表者ならびに在邱新聞記者等約五百名が出迎え、万歳を唱えて盛んな送迎をなしたが、五分間の停車中上瀧知事より歓迎の辞を述べ、古市府尹よりリンゴ三籠を贈った。これに対し独逸新聞使節代表より丁寧な挨拶があった。
大田の歓送迎
【大田電話】訪日ドイツ新聞使節団一行と全鮮児童代表伊勢参宮団一行を乗せた特急『あかつき』は十一日定刻の午前十一時三分大田駅のホームにすべりこんだ。ホームは鄭忠南知事はじめ各学校、団体で埋められた。新聞使節団のフ団長はホームで鄭知事と固き握手を交わしたのち、大田で下車する忠南、北の児童代表八名に『おお立派な子供さんだ！大きくなったら総理大臣になるんだよ』と激励した。
京城駅に到着
独逸新聞使節団一行は、十一日午後一時三十五分『あかつき』で団長リハルド・フェルスター提督をはじめ、堂々たる体躯をレインコートに包み五月雨降りしきる京城駅頭に降り立った。この日、京畿道高警察部長外京城官民多数は日章旗とハーケンクロイツの日独両国旗を高々と打ち振り『万歳』を叫べば、使節団一行は右手をサッと挙げて答礼する。一行は速水城大総長、フッパー城大予科講師等と固い握手を交わしたのち、各新聞社写真班の猛烈なフラッシュを浴び乍ら駅貴賓室を抜けると、少憩もせず駅頭に待ち受けた自動車に分乗、南大門通りに並んだ小学生の打ちふる旗と『万歳』の饗宴を受けながら一路雨中を朝鮮神宮に向った。
朝鮮神宮参拝
雨の都入をしたドイツ新聞使節団一行は京城駅頭における歓呼の風を後に京城駅から自動車をつらねて日独両国国旗に飾られた市街を疾駆、一路朝鮮神宮へ．．．団長以下十三名は午後一時五十分阿知和宮司の出迎えを受けて神宮に到着。
一たん社務所に休憩してのち同二時使節団一行は威儀を正して参拝を行い、雨にかすむ大京城の威容を脚下に展望。『さすがに興亜枢軸の基地半島の首都だ』と感嘆の声を漏らしつつ本府訪問に向った。
一行本府訪問
総監と握手
神宮参拝を終えた独逸新聞使節一行は、吉満本府外務部事務官の案内で十一日午後二時二十分、本府を訪問した。フェルスター団長以下十二名の使節団員は直に政務総監室に入り警務局長代理伊藤警務課長、信原文章課長の立会で大野政務総監とフェルスター団長との間に劇的な固い日独親善の握手が交わされた。終ってフェルスター団長は一行を代表して『今日入城致しました。新興朝鮮の総ゆる姿を見せて戴きたいと思います』と述べ、来鮮に対する正式挨拶を述べた。
これに対し大野総監は本府職員に代り『雨の中にも拘わらず、遠路よくこそ御出で下さいました。半島民衆は閣下並に御一行の来鮮を心から御待ちしていました。十二日正午粗宴を設けましたから、御出席を願います。その席で色々と御高話を拝聴致したいと思います』との意味を述べ、答礼の言葉に代えた。かくて一行は午後二時五十分本府発、伺候署名のため昌徳宮に向った。
日本精神を讃う
フエ団長車中で語る
盟邦ドイツの新聞使節団一行を車中に訪い本社を代表して出迎えの旨を述べれば、海軍軍人を想わせる肉付のよいフェルスター団長は既に六十歳だというのに長途の旅行を続けている人とも思われぬ元気さで、本社の好意に謝辞を述べ次の如く所感を語った。
吾々は文化使節として来訪したので、鉄道或は電信という様な外形的諸施設に対しては余り関心を以て観ていないが吾々の頭脳に深く刻み込まれたものは精神的に日本が非常な緊張を示していることである。私は三十六年前に一度それから十二年前エムデン号に乗って日本を訪問したことがあるが、その当時は関東大震災の直後で、日本は非常な努力を以って欧米の文化を吸収している最中で、私は当時この儘これが発展すれば将来日本固有の伝統的文化との間に大きな激動がもたらされるのではないかという様な杞愛を抱いていた。
然るに今回重ねて来訪し曾つて日本が輸入した外来文化が総べて日本化され、日本国民としての溌剌たる力、国民としての価値、美点を発揮して外来文明を超えて日本固有の文化に帰納されているのを見て、日本精神の消化力に驚異を感じている。それから特に強い感銘を受けたことは日本の青年教育が非常に行き届いていること。青年が国家のために一身を捧げる自覚が非常に強いこと、その意気の天を衝く如きものあることを剣道柔道等の日本固有の武道を通じて感じさせられた。
それから私達の最も光栄至極とすることは、天皇陛下に御拝謁を賜り、天長節の観兵式に陪観の栄を浴したことであって、軍人の面に現れる燃ゆるが如き軍国への熱情と信頼するに足る純なる表情、これこそ日本軍人精神の現れだろうと思ったのであるが、その精神には汚れぬ美しさがハッキリと見られ、天皇陛下を戴く日本軍人の強さがしみじみ感じられた。また靖国神社に参拝して婦人や子供を交えた幾千幾万の人達が真剣に護国の英霊の前に額にているのを見たが、それは決して悲しみでなく日本国民の栄誉としての堂々とした誇らしさであることに非常な尊敬を感じた次第である。
時の録音：
- ドイツ新聞使節団を迎う。
- 一行は、既に内地の各部門に亘って視察し、ありのままの日本の姿を見た筈である。
- 今更、特別のお膳立てをして、半島を見てくれとはいわない。
- ただ、この事変下に、朝鮮もまた日本の重要なる一翼として興亜の聖業に邁進していることのみは見逃すべからず。自由にして率直なる観察眼を以て、一行よ、来り見て帰れ。
- 同じ日、参宮児童団も帰る。その旅囊を満したる土産わ何ぞ。
- 曰く『立派な強い日本国民になったこと』である筈
独逸新聞使節団日程
十一日
- ◇午後一時三五分京城駅着
- ◇同一時四五分京城駅発
- ◇同一時五〇分朝鮮神宮参拝
- ◇同二時一〇分朝鮮神宮発
- ◇同二時二〇分本府訪問
- ◇同二時四〇分本府発
- ◇同二時五〇分昌徳宮伺候
- ◇同三時一〇分昌徳宮発
- ◇同三時二五分軍司令官邸訪問
- ◇同三時四五分軍司令官邸発
- ◇同四時朝鮮ホテル着（在城新聞記者と会見活動写真映写）
- ◇同六時五〇分ホテル発
- ◇同七時明月館京城記者団招宴
- ◇同九時一〇分ホテル帰着
十二日
- ◇午前九時ホテル発
- ◇同九時四〇分志願兵訓練所着視察
- ◇同一一時校洞小学校着視察
- ◇同一一時三五分李王職雅楽部見学
- ◇同午後零時総督官邸着（政務総監招待午餐会）
- ◇同二時総督官邸発
- ◇同二時一〇分ホテル着
- ◇同三時五分ホテル発
- ◇同三時一五分京城駅着
- ◇同三時二〇分京城駅発満州国へ
獨新聞使節団入城（上）京城駅着の一行（下）フエ団長と政務総監の握手
Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea
See also:
- Delegation from Fascist Spain visiting the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art in colonial Seoul, 1940 (link)
- Other articles featuring Professor Hupper at Seoul Imperial University (link 1, link 2)
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