Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-28
Step Out of Parade When
Dutch Fail to Remove Off,
cial Who Hit Secretary.
DIPLOMAT TO DECIDE
UPON PARTICIPATION
Games Formally Opened by Prince
Henry When Athletes of 47
il Nations Take Oath.
BY ALAN ]. GOULD,
Associated Press SPORTS Editor.

y.
international controversy growing out
of a French Official being punched by a
Dutch Olympic Stadium gatekeeper fell
like a bombshell in the midst OF the
spectacular Olympic opening this after
mon.
The entire French delegation with
drew from the opening parade and
failed to take the Olympic oath. the
situation reaching diplomatic proper
tions when Franz Reichel, secretary oil
the French Olympic committee, told the
Associated Press he would consult the
French Ambassador on a decision
whether TO compete in the games.
Former Foreign Minister Loudon. now
Dutch Minister at Paris, was hastily
a,nnmoned to meet the French Minister
20 The Hague, who was in the stadium
diplomatic box.
Frances team suddenly withdrew
from the opening parade today after a
row With the gatekeeper yesterday.
Dutch Blame Weather.
The Dutch authorities. through the
general Olympic secretary, Van Rossen'
Immediately issued a statement saying
that the French withdrawal was caused
nv the weather.
II was learned, however, that the
action was the result of an encounter
Yesterday in which one OF the french
0lvnanic officials was struck by a Dutcn
oatekeeper who had refused him admit
lance 10 the stadium.
Alter this alteration the Dutcn au-
tforitirs agreed 10 remove the ealc-
keeDpr. put he was Stiil on the loo Wneil
fhe French delegation arrived 70, 70
day's opening ceremonies MilIsOul -..., 49,.
sar,o,, thpv withdrew and sent WoTo
sl,at they considered the situation oi-
fenxIver ..
"A ReicheI prepared formal state
snent In the stadium, reclting Iae situa-
fion from the French viewpoint. n. ns
said tlaaf the French Ambassador wouio
- ro-.s,,1tpd before a oeEiSlun Nas
~earhed as To whether France Woulo
compete In the games. Explaining La
tlle Dutch had given permission - 1ae -
French to practice on the Cisilapae
track on Friday, he said:
NJ Mpricamp. secretary Of the FFehcn
Athletic Association. came to the gaze
they we're refused admission. altnougn
fhe Germans had previously been al
gr,xed n enter Our Representative
raats,rafiv protested and explained tne
y,errntssio.1 by the Dutch autnoTuies
lT-lla eatekeeper was obdurate. He flI1ai-
II threatened M. Mericamp ana tnen
hit him.
Holds Protest Unheeded.
@our protest and our demand thai
ff1e gatekeeper be removed apparently
went unl1eeded. The argument vas r.
r,ewed with the same man when tnf
rene, arrived at the stadium today. SC
4tsare was nothing LETT TO do but Wltn-
draw. - ..,,,,o,
were presented by Baron Schinmel rem
nanck In the presence OF the frencn
.onssIy general. the Dutch Olympic com
y,ssrfpe recognized that the version giveI
~ ~ Genet. president Of the FTencr
Athletic Federation and witness TO tnt
incident. was correct. However, on pat
T,rday morning the French team, au'
sf,orfze6 10 try out the track, found or
reaching the stadium tnaI the sules
Sg1ard was stia al his post.
at , O'Clock the French team, II
rnot0Y cars. which thought the gnart
-potgld at least have been removed IRON
his Dost by then as would have peer
.xfxa and reasonable, was stopped q
the portal Of the stadium and compelled
~ deseend. which entaiieo their passing
before the guard, whose removal wa
promised. Justly irritated in then
capacity OF invited representatives. IN
Fyench athletes spontaneously decides
not To participate In the parade. ina
ss where matters stand nov
ReicheI added, however, that It wa
unlikely that the team would be with
drawn from competition because sucf
wou1d be unfair 10 the athletes.
Despite the last minute Withdraw
of France from the parade OF the na
fions' athletic arrays Immediately fol
lowing the opening gestures aroused en-
fI1ugizsua in the stands, each contingen
stopping 10 salute before the prime
consort's royal box.
Greeks Lead Parade.
The Greeks having the honor Of lead
ing the procession, were followed D
fIe nattiiy attired Argentiness Chile
group, some 50 strong, varied IN
saiutes by stopping and giving ring
ing cheer ira front OF the official box.
TTermanv. returning 10 the field afte
a f6-yeaF absence. turned out 80
strong, the athletes wearing what locke
like waters uniforms. The cubani
lone athlete. Pepe fsarrientos, did 10
rarade. but the standard was born b
his coach, Kendrigsn, and the flag b
q Cuban youth.
Fluiands contingent. simply attire
4s1 white. included Willie Rit0la, Paav
hurYYii ard other athletic aces who star
the campaign for championships 10
morrow. 81,
The red d~cindered track With bril-
giantly green turf in the center fofme
a striking background 10 the multi
S0lDfed uniforms
Hhe Erftons we're led by two Scots il
kits with bagpipes, while The Italian
paye the FASCIST salute. panama's sol
representative carrying flag, was pre-
eeded by a Dutch Boy Scout with III
national standard,
As the Stars and Stripes cam
through tie portal a tremendous chee
broke 0ut from the stands. The su
burst through the thick clouds again q
Johnny WeisslnuiieT bearing tll
standard. and Bud H0user. carrying th
fiag. preceded Maj Gen Douglas Mac
Arthur and the committeeman, The
the American girls IN snappy whit
fennei ensembles. The mems uni
forms blue coats and white pants
looked natty The cheers were pro
! ioaged with sn 0utburst from III
GCentinued on Page 2, Column 81