ESPIONAGE CHARGE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12090, 1 November 1933, Page 5

ESPIONAGE CHARGE

BRITISH JOURNALIST IN GERMANY. # MR. RANTER TO BE EXAMINED BY MAGISTRATE. BRITISH CONSUL'S INTERVIEW RECORDED BY POLICE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 30. The British Ambassador in Germany. Sir Eric Phipps, has received a further Note from the German Minister of Foreign . Affairs from which it appears that no decision has yet been taken with regard to the formulation of the charge against Mi Noel Punter, the correspondent L, t the “Daily Telegraph.” The British Ambassador requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs to furnish him at the earliest possible moment with precise information regarding the charge. It is understood that the normal procedure in the case would be for the Bavarian Government to send the papers to the State ' Prosecutor at Leipzig, with a recommendation a-s to the nature of the charge. Only the State Prosecutor, however, can decide whether the case " ill be proceeded with, and, if so. in virtue of which article in the criminal code the t-fiarge should be preferred. It is authoritatively announced in Berlin that Mr. Pan ter is go'ng to Leipzig, where lie will be examined by a magistrate on a charge of espionage. It is alleged that the arrested German journalist, Herr Achermann, made a statement making the case against Mr. Panter the blackest- It the magistrate decides on a prosecution, Mr. Panter will be tried in the Supreme Court. U The British consul and vice-consul saw Mr. Panter, but- the police recorded the entire conversation. Mr. Panter said a German prisoner tvas placed in hi.s cell, necessitating caution, as he feared that he might be an agent provocateur.