INTERNED BY NAZIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1939, Page 8

INTERNED BY NAZIS

CONSUL TO AUSTRALIA

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

SYDNEY, November 4

Great interest was aroused here by the receipt of news from a reliable source that Dr. R. Asmis, German Con-sul-General in Australia until last April, had been interned by the Nazis after his return to Germany. When Dr. Asmis left he stated that he would make a short visit and then return. He did not come back. Dr. Asmis insured his life for £25,000 after the September* crisis last year. The policy was written by the Sydney office of one of the largest insurance companies in England. Dr. Asmis refused a policy with an Australian company. He paid up the total premiums of £15,000 in a lump sum. The £25,000 is payable in sterling in London on death.

Dr. Asmis left a stamp collection worth £4OO and £696 worth of jewellery in a safe deposit at the Commonwealth Bank. He also left £6OO worth of furniture stored in a Sydney warehouse. He decided not to risk taking these valuables with him, when he was recalled to Germany in April. They are insured by an Australian company, which is maintaining the policy, although it knows that no premiums will be paid during the war. It hopes to recover them after the war, when it would be prepared to meet any claims. Mrs. Asmis took with her £2OOO worth of jewellery, and Dr. Asmis shipped back to Germany his luxurious car.

The former Assistant-Consul for Germany, Mr. Leo Weyers, also left about £2OOO worth of jewellery in the Commonwealth Bank safe deposit before he left Australia. This is also covered on the same terms by the Australian company.

Before insuring his life, Dr. Asmis discussed with insurance officials life policies on his sons, aged 10 and 12, after they had been summoned to Germany, eighteen months ago, to attend Nazi youth camps. Local managers would not take these risks. Mrs. Asmis and her two sons left for Germany in August last year.