GERMERSHEIM VERDICT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 78, 27 December 1926, Page 9

GERMERSHEIM VERDICT

OFFICIAL GERMAN PROTEST “LIKELY ADVERSELY TO AFFECT RAPPROCHEMENT” COMMENTS OF FRENCH PRESS The German Ambassador in Paris officially stated that the unfortunate impression created in Germany by the verdict of the court martial in the Ger. mersheim case was likely ad. versely to affect the Franco-Ger. man rapprochement. The French President later adopted a reconimendation to remit the sentences passed on the Germans.

tJY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION Copyright. Paris, December 23. The “Petit Parisien” says that the German Ambassador officially informed M. Berthelot that the unfortunate impression which the Germersheim verdict has created in Germany is likely adversely to affect the Franco-German rapprochement. The “Petit Parisien,” commenting on the German Press protests, says that they are not nearly so concerned with the defence of the sentenced men as with a speedy evacuation of the Rhineland.

The “Journal” recalls the scandalous manner in which Germany treated the Allied demands for the punishment ot offenders against the common law. The “Ere Nouvelle’’ says that the offenders should be released. The "Gaulois” asks: “Is Locarno to be jeopardised for the sake of a mere legal affair?”

The “Quotidien” says that the French Government will treat the sentenced men with clemency.

APPEAL LODGED Berlin, December 23. An appeal has been lodged against the Landau (Germersheim) verdict.— “The Times.” PRESIDENT RECOMMENDED TO PARDON (Rec. December 26, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, December 24. The release of the Germans sentenced in connection with the Germershein affair is generally anticipated, The “Matin” says that the German Ambassador, Herr von Hoesch, and General Guillaumat interviewed Ministers. M. Painleve informed Cabinet that General Guillaumat, who is commanding the army on the Rhine, recommended the President of the Republic to exercise his prerogative and pardon the six Germans sentenced at Landau.

SENTENCES REMITTED (Rec. December 26, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, December 25. President Doumergue has signed a decree remitting all the sentences passed on the six Germans in connection with the Germersheim affair. AN UNFORTUNATE SEQUEL SEVEN GERMANS ATTACK TWO FRENCHMEN (Rec. December 26, 11.5 p.m.) • Paris, December 25. President Doumergue this morning signed the pardons of the six German civilians convicted by court-martial on Tuesday of an attack on a French lieutenant, and within an hour- a telegram was received from Mayence stating that during Christmas Eve seven other drunken Germans attacked and injured two French soldiers as they were leaving church after Christmas Mass. This new incident differs from the Germersheim affair, in that the French soldiers being unarmed, they were unable to resist the superior number of aggressors, who escaped in the darkness. It is believed here that even in Germany this cannot appear otherwise than as an unfortunate sequel to the elemenev the French have shown, and as a justification for the sentences given in connection witli the Germersheim affair. . .