ARMAMENT CONTRACTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 100, 28 April 1913, Page 5

ARMAMENT CONTRACTS.

THE GERMAN SCANDALS. (Received 1.20 p»m.) BERLIN, April 27. General- yon Heeringen (Minister of War), replying to Socialists in the Keicnstag, said that the Krupp case was before the courts, and would 'be cleared up regardless of persons. Privy Councillor Hugenburg. .chairman of Krupps, denies that the firm uses bribery over army contracts. He states that the firm received dozens <r/ secret reports daily. Secret reports wene their daily bread. Speaking in the Reichstag. Dr. Lieb- ■ knecht (Socialist) stated that Krupp's and the manufacturers of Maitser rifles had resorted to illicit methods for indue- ', ing the leading organs of the French • Press to create an anti-German sentiment, with the object of facilitating the in- i crease of German armaments. He also • accused Krupp's of secretly corrupting i the officers and officials of the Prussian War Office, so as to secure early informa- i tion of contracts in sight, and the offers i of competing firms. The War Minister replied that Dr. Liebkuccht had been guilty of grave exaggeration. The matter was being investigated. He admitted that one of Krupp'3 officials had bribed sergeants and others to disclose information, but it was still uncertain whether the directors were involved, and he begged the House to reasrve judgment.