Laughter During Eichmann Trial

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 22

Laughter During Eichmann Trial

(K.Z. Press JERUSALEM. July 4. The sound of laughter echoed oddly yesterday through the Courtroom where Adolf Eichmann is on trial for organising the murder of 6,000,000 Jews.

It was derisive laughter from the packed gallery as Eichmann, testifying in his own defence, replied to questions on the deportation of Jews to gas chambers with such statements as: "After 18: years I just can't remember.", and, "I cannot recall exactly; what happened.” The outbursts were quickly halted by the presiding Judge 'Mr Justice Landau), the; British United Press reported j Eichmann looked drawn and haggard, and he gave none of the long lectures for which he has been rebuked repeatedly. He denied ordering the deportation of Greek Jews to Auschwitz, any part in the annihilation of the Jewish; community on Rhodes, and implication in an order for the deportation of the 8000 Rome Jews ax hostages.; Reuter said He received documents on the deportation of 20,000 Bulgarian Jews only because it was "bureaucratically. necessary" so that he could| submit them to his superior.' he claimed. “He would then order me to refer to the Transport Ministry so that a timetable could be prepared," he said "This was the usual pro-! cedure." Eichmann's counsel. Dr’ Servatius. cited documents

• purporting to show the Reich I Foreign Ministry’s major role s in the handling of Jews in > occupied countries, such as i Hungary. i When Dr. Sewatius quoted 1 documents referring to a Ger. ’ man Church protest and ■ Vatican hostility against the deportation of Rome Jews. ■’Eichmann said: ”As we have •i seen, the highest authorities ■ •intervened in this matter in | Italy, so it is quite obvious i that I could have done noth- ■ i ing In such cases I would •j always approach my offs re I chief Mueller (Genera! Heinrich Mueller, chief of the i Gestapo' through the usual i|service channels to obtain his , j instructions.” 1 Sleeper Burnt.—Mr T E. . Kerr, of Cheviot, who sufIfered fairly extensive burns ■'to the back when his bedding caught tire on Saturday. wa< ' admitted to the Burwood ' Hospital on Sunday and un- ’ derwent an operation. His '[condition is reported as comfortable.