MEMEL TREASON TRIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 8

MEMEL TREASON TRIAL.

Four Nazis were sentenced to death by a court martial at Memel. Others received long terms of imprisonment. These decisions aroused resentment in Berlin, where twenty-five thousand people gathered to protest. The cry lor the occasion was “ Germans, awake! ” which was echoed in other parts of the Fatherland. Herr Steiuacher, leader of the Association for Germans Abroad, made a characteristic declaration by saying that the only guilt of the prisoners was loyalty to Germany. Thus it will be seen that this condones everything, for the four who received the death sentence were found guilty of murdering a i'ellowNazi, whom they suspected of betraying them. Under the Treaty of Versailles Germany renounced her sovereignty over the town and territory of Memol, and a French High Commissioner, under the authority of the League of Nations, governed the territory till 1923. In that year the Lithuanians took a somewhat high-handed action. They invaded and occupied the territory. After considerable negotiation its protection by Lithuania was confirmed by the Allied Powers under a convention signed at Paris. The population numbers about 150,000, of whom about 36.000 inhabit the town of Mcmel. The trial that haa just ended has been pending for some months. Accused of planning to seize for Germany the little area of Merael, 126 persons were arrested. Irredentist activity began as soon as Memel was handed over to the Lithuanians. A» early as 1924, it is said, the German Government gave secret encouragement to all subversive movements there. But with the advent of Hitlerism the encouragement became open and unashamed, in accordance with the avowed aims of the National Socialistic regime. There were two Nazi political groups in Merael—the Socialist People’s Party and the Christian Socialist Workers’ Party, and they came to loggerheads. Berlin places Nazi solidarity before everything, and it acted as mediator in the dispute. It claimed that this was quite in order, as it involved no interference in Lithuanian domestic affairs. Lithuania, of course, adopted a view that was exactly the opposite. The existence of political- groups under foreign control was to her intolerable; and a long list of “treasonable” acts intensified the resentment that was felt. The authorities took active steps against the intrigues that cailic under their notice. The two German groups were officially banned, and a long series of arrests began. The indictment, road in December lAst, accused the German Consulate-General in Memo] and the authorities on the German side of the frontier of inspiring the treasonable activities and financing them. The accusation was made that Germans had been urged to become Lithuanian citizens for the time being, with the promise of restored German citizenship once Memel had been returned to the Reich. There was acute political trouble. The Lithuanians arc in a minority in the Diet, and they found that every legislative act on behalf of Lithuania was checked by German animosity and intrigue. Matters became so strained that the Lithuanians refused to take their seats in the Diet They declared that they “ would- Hot sit with those who received instructions from abroad and were present, not to do useful work, but to render useful work impossible.” As a result the session had to be dissolved. Germans is proceeding the wrong way in order to have Memel once more included in her borders. It is quite clear that intrigue, intimidation, and exhibitions of Nazi arrogance have been common, and that German troops have been, massed on the frontier. The

German Press has been calling for a plebiscite to settle once and for all the question of Memel’s nationality, but the case for such a procedure has not been strengthened by Germany’s methods in the last year or two.

The reported probable decision from Wellington to postpone the holding of the municipal elections from May 1 to May 8 is stated locally to be due to the reason that it is desired to hold them on the same day as road board and county elections.

His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy will return from the north by this evening’s express.

Our fathers used to indulge in practical joking on All B’ools’ Day, April 1, a common form of hoaxing being to send acquaintances on bootless errands. The origin of the custom, apparently unknown in Great Britain until the eighteenth century, is obscure. It is possibly connected with the old-time festivities of the spring equinox, or mayhave arisen, so Harmsworth suggests, as a travesty of New Year rejoicing when the reformed calendar transferred the beginning of the year from April 1 to January 1; Anyway, it is a practice that can be done without. Nowadays it has followed Valentine’s Day into oblivion, nad the world is well rid of both.

Of the pioneers who attended the Otago Early Settlers’ Association’s celebration meetings a few days ago Mrs Elizabeth Ann Coombs, daughter Of Mr Andrew Boyes, was the oldest in residence, having come out in the Mariner in 1849, and Mr William Ayson, of Waikaka, was the senior in age, 94 years. He was brought here, when 12 years old, by the ship Royal Albert, in 1853, his parents being Mr and Mrs Peter Ayson, who settled on a farm at Warepa and had ten children. It was from Glenshee, in Perthshire, that the Aysons came. As a lad William assisted his father in the farm work; then took employment with Mr C. H. Kettle, who after completing his engagement as a surveyor, took to farming and cattle breeding at Kaihiku. Subsequently William became a farm owner and specialised in sheep breeding, his flock of merinos being known far and wide. Last week he stayed in Dunedin several days after the anniversary, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, being as fit for such a holiday as many a man 20 years younger. He can talk of the happenings of 70 years ago and further as though they were recent events. The Aorangi arrived at Auckland this morning with 326 passengers from Sydney, including Brigadier-general G. ft. Dean, chairman of directors of the Colonial Mutual Assurance, South Australia, who was accompanied by Ins grandson, Mr R. Dean. _ The brigadier commanded the 13th Light Horse at Gallipoli. Fifteen senior boys, representing seven of Australia’s largest public schools, are travelling on the Aorangi to attend the King’s Jubilee They will be over two months in England, and later will visit Germany and Italy.—Press ..Association. There would he obvious advantages to the United Party in a fusion (states a Christchurch ‘ Press ’ correspondent). A count of heads shows that in a House of eighty members there are only seventeen United members, and it is common knowledge that the party has virtually no organisation in the country. On the other hand, the Reform Party has twenty-eight members. to 'which might be added Mr W. J. Poison, who has attended recent private meetings of Reform members. Since its formation, the Coalition Party has lost six members, who have taken seats on .the Independent benches. Four of those members—Messrs H. Atmore (Nelson), A. J. Stallworthy (Eden), W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), and D. M'Rongall (Matanra)—arc former United supporters, while two, Mr A. M. Samuel (Thames) and R. A. Wright (C., Wellington Suburbs), are old Reformers.

Up-to-date information about oysters is supplied by W. Lavallin Puxley in his book, published this year, entitled ‘ Deep Seas and Lonely Shores.’ The rock oyster can thrive between the tides and live out of water, in cold weather, for two or three weeks. It changes its sex several times during a season. The eggs swim about for a few days until they catch hold of stick or stone. Numbers sometimes cling to one hold, get on top of each other, and so die wholesale, since the under ones cannot open their valves to feed. It is a mistake to suppose that the other edible oyster, known to science as the mud oyster, grows in mud. No oyster can survive if it sinks into mud. It cam live out of water, but not for so long as the rock oyster. Biologically the important difference between the two kinds is that the mud oyster is unisexual. Having acquired the habit of affixing, oysters have lost the foot which formerly joined the head, so that the now useless foot has grown round the head. Oysters have also lost the sense of hearing! though they still possess primitive eyes.

Since the inauguration of the Unemployment Board’s scheme of subsidising" gold prospectors 1,011 ounces have been won in the Westland County by unemployed miners.—Hokitika Association.

“ We again throughout the year received a generous allowance from the Canteen Funds ” (states the annual report of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association ). The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has been allocated an amount totalling £IB,OOO last year, and the amount received by your Association has been expended throughout tho Otago district in the alleviating, in some small way, unemployment during the “ stand-down ” week. The administration and distribution of tho Canteen Funds are under the control of the N.Z.B.F. Canteen and Regimental Funds Trust Board, of which MajorGeneral Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., is chairman. The board’s policy is to preserve the Canteen Funds as far as possible for relief purposes, in later years, when other patriotic and war relief funds are exhausted. It is most gratifying to report that tho total cost of administration expenses of the funds is kept on a low level, the total cost for the past year being only £lsfi

“ The membership of the association for this last year has created a record of which we are justly proud, and we owe a great deal to our country subassociations and committees for the splendid work they have done ” (says the annual report of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association). Our official canvasser. Mr K. G. Richdale, has had a busy year, and, with the personal calls made on so many nonmembers, this part of his work has been the means of bringing into the fold many new members, who now realise the benefits of co-operation, and assisting those who are less tortunate than themselves. The association again challenged the Christchurch Association in a membership campaign, and wc have led them throughout the year finishing with a winning margin of members, our total being 2,532.

The postal authorities advise that the lonic, due at Wellington from London next Sunday, has eleven bags of English mail and 195 parcel receptacles for New Zealand. The Dunedin portion should be to hand to-morrow week.

Cabinet held two meetings yesterday, one in the afternoon and the other at night. At the conclusion Mr Forbes said he had nothing to announce except that it could definitely be stated that Mr Coates would be going to London by the first available vessel.—Press Association.

Information received by a Dunedin resident from an official at the Mount Eden Gaol shows that although prisoners have been transferred from ilangitoto to occupy some of the empty cells and maintain the output of the quarries, the gaol is by no means full. Fewer men are appearing before the courts again after one lapse, due to the influence of the Rev. G. Moreton and his helpers in their social rehabilitation work, and there also appears to be less serious crime. ' With the moderating of the weather the Port Chalmers fishermen have been able to get to sea, and the market this morning was fairly supplied with a variety of the kinds usually caught in deep water, including groper, which is always in demand. Some of the soles were taken at Taieri Mouth. Coming after a scarcity, and in no greater quantity that the market could immediately absorb, prices were firm at ordinary rates.

A traction engine, five horses, and ten men had to be commissioned yesterday morning before a motor car was pulled out of the s6w<Srage creek which flows into the sea at Waikouaiti. The vehicle, a now sedan, was crossing the stream to the beach on Saturday afternoon when it became firmly embedded. Attempted salvage was made the more difficult because the depth of the creek, already increased by the opening of flood gates a few days previously, was doubly augmented by tho incoming tide. The car had to be temporarily abandoned, and during the night was totally immersed. Though the vehicle was not structurally damaged, the engine suffered, and wiU have to be dismantled.