COURT DRAMA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 9

COURT DRAMA.

TREASON TRIAL. Death Sentence Demanded for Nineteen Accused. "CHAIN OF VILLAINY." United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 9.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, March 11. In addressing the Court at tbe treason trial the State Prosecutor, M. Vishinsfey, demanded 25 years' imprisonment for Rakovsky and Bessonoff, and death for the remaining- 19 prisoners. He denounced the prisoners in the most scathing language, declaring that never before had there been such a case of a "disgusting chain of villainy.'' M. Visliinsky's invective lasted for over two hours. lie said the prisoners were the agents not of a single foreign intelligence service, but the agents of at least four—German, Japanese, English and Polish. In the course of his tirf.de against the prisoners M. Vishii.skv said: •■\Ve cannot leave such people alive. 1 would ask for Yagoda's head, even if lie is guilty of only a millionth part of his alleged crimes. The whole country demands the shooting of these traitors like mad dogs." The audience applauded loudly at the end of the Prosecutor's outburst. ANOTHER ARREST? MILITARY COMMANDER. (Received 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 11. The Moscow correspondent of "The Times" says the treason trial was not continued yesterday in order to enable the Prosecutor, M. Vishinsky, to prepare his speech. A message from Warsaw says it is Teported from Moscow that Marshal Budennv, commander of the Moscow military district, has been arrested.