GERMAN PIANIST AT SYDNEY

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26672, 5 March 1952, Page 7

GERMAN PIANIST AT SYDNEY

CHARGE OF BEING FORMER NAZI

(Rec. 9 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 4. The demonstrations and pamphlets attacking the German pianist, Walter Gieseking- smelt of Communist tactics, said the general manager of the Australian Broadcasting Commission *Mr C. J. Moses). The commission to-day produced documents signed bv United States and German Government officials completely clearing Mr Gieseking of being an active Nazi during the war. Mr Gieseking was removed from the black list by the Military Government Tribunal in December. 1946. The. Jewish Council to combat Fascism has asked all Jews to boycott Mr Gieseking’s concerts. Rabbi J. Danglow said: "Jewish leaders had nothing to do with the undignified outburst attending Mr Gieseking’s arrival. I advised Jews who thought Mr Gieseking guilty to boycott his concerts, but not to make a spectacle in public.” Mr Gieseking is considering taking legal action against “those who spread lies about me and my activities." He made this statement after about 30 demonstrators told him to “Go Home Nazi” when he arrived by air at Sydney. He denies statements issued by the Victorian Jewish Board, which alleges that he admired Nazism, collaborated with the Nazi Party, and applied for membershin of the milltant League of German, Culture. He admits signing official letters with “Heil Hitler" and playing mice before Hitler when Beniatffino Gigli was on the same programme. He says that these were the “things that were done.” and that he did not use “Heil Hitler’’ in his nrivate correspondence. He was drafted into the civil service late in the war and he played at military schools.

Terrorists Attack Train.—Seven civilians were killed, 10 others were wounded, and three police were wounded to-day when terrorists derailed and fired on a north-bound train two miles out of the Rompin station in Negri Sembilan,—Singapore, March 3.