The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1934. THE SAAR.

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 8

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1934. THE SAAR.

lx is disquieting- to read that in a report to the League Council the president of the Saar Commission attaches some importance to the rumours that Germany intends a coup-de-main in the Saar. This seems hardly within the bounds of credence, for it would be an act of supreme folly from the diplomatic point of view. But there is no saying what Germany will do in the present exalted mood of the people. Under the Treaty of Versailles the Saar Basin was placed under the control of the League of Nations for fifteen years, at the end of which time it was provided the inhabitants were to decide by a plebiscite whether they would remain French, return to Germany, or become a self-governing community. The time for the taking of the plebiscite is next year, and as the population is mainly of German origin it is hard to see what possible gain would result to Germany if she precipitated a crisis in the way suggested. The report for the fourth quarter of 19153, describing the work of the Governing Commission of the Saar, was forwarded to the SecretaryGeneral of the League on February 28. This report deals tvith the political .situation in the Saar, as well as the administrative and economic activities i

in that territory. The commission reports on the new measures it was found necessary to apply for the maintenance of order and public security. Among the measures adopted by the commission were a series of ordinances increasing the penalty for the improper use of weapons; for controlling the entry into the Saar territory of persons coming to attend meetings as members of an association or as delegates of an authority or organisation outside the Saar; an ordinance prohibiting the wearing of uniforms by members of any association, whether political or not; an ordinance prohibiting military exercise and marches; and an ordinance for the repression of secret membership of associations and leagues prohibited in the territory. < Other ordinances adopted relate to measures for dealing with a campaign of systematic intimidation and threats of reprisals after the plebiscite. Likewise, measures have been adopted 'for preventing inhabitants of the Saar from being constrained by violence, threats, or boycotts to adhere, against their wishes, to a political association or to tako part in political demonstrations contrary to their opinions. Measures have also been taken giving tho authorities the right to seize and prohibit any publication divulging official secrets, inciting officials to insubordination, or denouncing an inhabitant of the Saar to an authority outside tho Saar. Publications aro also prohibited which contain threats of reprisals after the plebiscite for political reasons or which contain false or manipulated news regarding the administration of the territory, in so far as such publications arc likely to endanger public order. Reference was also made in the report to new measures to be taken against tho revelation by officials of professional secrets and against a breach on their part of their obligations of neutrality. Finally, tho flying of flags on public buildings without the authorisation of the chairman of the Governing Commission has been prohibited, and measures taken forbidding any person, member of a foreign governmental organisation, to direct a political association in the territory- Tho fact that the inauguration of these measures was considered necessary suggests considerable tension in the territory, hut it is to be hoped that the plebiscite will be taken according to plan and the decision unreservedly accepted.