SAAR PLEBISCITE

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1934, Page 5

SAAR PLEBISCITE

“GERMAN FRONT” THREAT. ’ (BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] ' SAARBRUCKEN, December 28. The final session of the Saar Parliament before tile plebiscite was marked by a bitter attack on the League of Nations, and the denial of its sovereignty by Herr Martin, the German Front leader, who also declared that the Saar Commission was serving foreign interests, rather than those of the Saarlanders. He denied animosity to the foreign troops, who were onlv doing their duty, but complained that the British were using as a hospital a building devoted to cultural purposes. He demanded that the police should be forbidden to carry whips or sticks, which were provocative. He denounced , the decree preventing the display of flags, and declared that the Saarlanders were being tortured with humiliation but would “give the traitors their receipt, when they voted on January 13 ” As he concluded his speech, members of the German Front walked out amid the jeers of their opponents. The Communist Deputy violently attacked the German Front, alleging that it had planned terrorism, including attacks on the Commissioner, but he did hot provide proof of his allegations. COMMANDER’S STATEMENT. • RUGBY, December 30. The Commander-in-Chief of the Saar International Force (General Brind), at an informal reception of representatives of the British Press, at Saarbruecken, stressed the peaceful mission of the Force, and the desire that its presence should incommode the local population as little as possible. He aimed to establish cordial relations with the Saar authorities and civil population, as well as between the sections of the International Force itself, and was not. satisfied with the progress already achieved. The general headquarters of the Force was gratified by the successful arrangements the governing commission had made to accommodate the troops at short notice in the congested Saar area.

The armoured car squadron of the 12th Lancers, the famous British cavalry regiment, mechanised some time ago, will leave Salisbury Plain on Monday ofr the Saar, and proceed to Saarbrucken from Calais by road. The British Saar contingent will then be completed . Their reparture was delayed to allow the men to spend Christmas at home, after long service abroad. ’ ,