RATHENAU KILLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1922, Page 5

RATHENAU KILLED

SHOT NEAR BERLIN.

MON ARCHISTS ACCUSED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

BERLIN, June 24

Dr Rathenau has been assassinated. He held the portfolio of Foreign Alinister in the Cabinet, and played the leading part in the latest negotiations between Germany and the Allies over the indemnity.

He was assassinated near his home, at Grunewald, a suburb of Berlin. He was proceeding to "a Cabinet meeting in a car, which was followed by another car. When reducing speed, near a corner, two men in the second car fired ten shots with a revolver, and threw a grenade. Dr Ratheaau fell and died immediately. The assassians sped away unrecognised. The news caused a sensation in Berlin. Several Cabinet Alinisters burst into tears. The Cabinet meeting was abandoned, BERLIN, June 25. The assassins showed a high degree of organisation and careful preparations for the crime. The grenade blew off Rathenau’s left leg. He died in the arms of a housewife who ran out when the car drew up to the kerbstone after the shots were fired. /

The police offer a reward of a million marks for information resulting 5n the arrest of Rathenau’s murderers.

FIGHT IN REICHSTAG.

NATIONALISTS EJECTED.

BERLIN, June 24.

Amazing scenes were witnessed in the Reichstag, when news of Rathenau’s assassination was conveyed to the Deputies. When Herr Helfferich who yesterday bitterly attacked Rathenau on the Wies baden debt, arrived in the Reichstag with other members of the German National Party, a crowd of infuriated members attacked them. Blows were freely exchanged and books and rulers were used as missiles.

The Nationalists were diiven ignominiously from the Chamber after practically all of them suffered injury. Herr Bernstein, of the Left, seized Helfferich by the throat, shook him violently, and shouted “You are the assassin ;

you are the murderer."’ The Government declined to declare martial law in Berlin, and a Nationalist mass meeting was forbidden.

Herr Dittmann declared that ho had proof that the assassination was intended as the signal for a Alonarchist upheaval. During scenes in the Reichstag, General Seheuch, a former War Alinister, was severely assaulted after making unsympathetic remarks about Rathenau. Seheuch, escaped by retreating on his hands and knees under the reporters’ table. Both wings of the Socialists Party are to hold demonstrations in Berlin on Sunday as a protest against the assassination. A general strike for twenty-four hours has been proclaimed. PREAIIER'S PREDICTION, “1 SHALL BE THE NEXT.” Recd. 10 a.m. BERLIN, June 25. Premier Wirth, in the Reichstag, paid a touching tribute to Rathenau, - whose aim, he said, was universal conciliation. He died not only for the cause of the German people but of all mankind. Wirth added that the murder was likely to cause grave internal troubles. He declared: “Others have been threatened. I am certain that I shall be the next victim.” Premier Wiith concluded: AVoe to them who have interrupted Rathenau’s work. This great man with a child’s heart had many deadly foes, who aimed at his life. The German people must settle with those arch-enemies of the Republic. No Republican or Democrat ever perpetrated such an outrage against the Alqjnarchjises who continue to provoke plots, backed with ample financial support. The murderers are paid and protected by them. Wirth, in a voice of anger, concluded: “Gentlemen of tho Right, the methods you have practised until now cannot be allowed to continue.” The Premier’s utterances evoked the greatest enthusiasm.

DETAILS INJURIES.

BERLIN, June 25.

Rathenau resided in a quiet suburb, consequently there were a only few spectators of the murder. Several young men in a powerful car rapidly overhauled Rathenau. The occupants were disguised with motoring goggles. Leather caps pulled well down. Three shots went through the victim’s head. The lower jaw is practically shot away. There was also a bullet through his arm and chest, while the grenade lacerated the lower portion of the body. It is a significant fact that Doctor Esheirsch a notorious organiser of the Orgcsch Secret Monarchist Society, arrived at Berlin from Bavaria on Thursday, with numerous attendants. He quitted Berlin secretly on Saturday. LLOYD GEORGE’S TRIBUTE. Recd. 10 a.m. LONDON, June 25. Mr Lloyd George speaking at a Welsh Baptist Chapel, said that the late Dr Rathenau was one of the ablest Ministers in Europe. He has been doing his best to restore good realtions between his country and other nations which has been wronged, that is why he was murdered. The Premier expressed the deepest horror at the outrage, and trusted that Germany would not suffer from the wrong the assassins, had inflicted upon her. FRENCH COMMENTS. Recd. PARIS, June 25. The newspapers see in Rathenau’s murder striking evidence of the dangerous reaction against the German Republic as one of its sturdiest defenders disappears in Rathenau. Some papers aver the way is now

cleared for Stinnes, supported by the big business men and financiers, to realise his dual object of the restoration of the Monarchy and vengence.

“COWARDICE CAUSED WAR.”

NEW YORK, June 24.

Hawkins, a New York journalist interviewed Rathenau a year ago when the following statement was given conditionally that publication should not take place after Rathenau’s death.

“Cowardice caused the war; said Rathenau.” The Kaiser rattled his sword, until he had frightened himself, and all his Alinisters out - of their normal judgment. Bethmun-Hollwegg and his Ministers sat all night in fear and trembling, hoping and praying that the Czar would succumb to the terms of the ultimatum, and they would escape the disaster into which their cowardice had led them. The policy of frightfulness was the policy of a man afraid, who makes a great "noise in the effort to frighten the enemy, hoping that he may avoid fighting. All Germany knows this, and there is no danger of the Kaiser ever returning to Berlin. The German people have for ever been cured of royalty.”