GERMAN MURDER

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1922, Page 5

GERMAN MURDER

DR RATHENAU’S DEATH.

GRAVE TROUBLE THREATENED. A MONARCHIST CRIME. BERLIN, June 25. | Premier Wirth, in the Reichstag, I paid a touching tribute io Rathenau, whose'aim, he said was universal conciliation. He died not only for the cause of the German people but of all ma: kind. V. irtli added that the murder was likely to cause grave internal troubles. He declared, “Others have been threatened. 1 am certain that I shall be the next victim.’ ’ Premier Wirth concluded: Woe 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 Monarchists who continue to provoke plots, backed with ample linaiicial support. The murderers' are paid and protected by them. Wirth, in a voice of auger ,concluded: “Gentlemen of the Kight, the .methods you have practised until now cannot be allowed to continue.” The Premier’s utterances evoked the greatest enthusiasm. •THE ASSASSINS. BERLIN, June 25. Rathenau resided in a quiet suburb, consequently there were only a few spectu ors of the murder. Several young men in a powerful car rapidly overhauled Rathenau. The occupants were disguised with motoring goggles ami 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 cnest, while the grenade lacerated the lower portion of the body. It is signilicant fact that Doctor Esheirsch, a notorious organiser of the Argesch Secret Monarchist Soviet v. arrived at Berlin from Bavaria on Thursday, with numerous attendants. He quitted Berlin secretly on LLOYD GEORGE’S SYMPATHY. LONDON, June 25. Air Lloyd George speaking at a Welsh Baptist Chapel, said that the late Dr Rathenau was one of the ablest Ministers in Europe. 11c has been doing his best to restore good relations between this country and other nations which have been wronged, mat is why he was murdered. The Premier expressed the deepest horror at the outrage, and trusted that Germany would not suiter from the wrong the assassins had. inflicted upon her. WAS STINNES IN IT.? PARIS, June 25. The newspapers in Rathenau’s murder see. 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 x realise his dual object of the restoration of the Monachy and vengeance. AN ALLEGED INTERVIEW. NEW YORK, June 24. Hawkins, a New York journalist interviewed Rathenau a year ago when the following statement was given conditionally that publication should 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 Ministers out of their normal judgment. Bethmann-llollwegg and his Ministers sat all night 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 lighting. All Germany knows this, and there is no danger of the Kaiser ever returning to Berlin. The German people have for ever been cured 6f royalty.” IN THE REICHSTAG. SOME AMAZING SCENES. BERLIN, June 24. Amazing scenes were witnessed in the Reichstag, when news of Rathenau’s asi sassination was conveyed to the Do--1 putios. When Tlcrr Hclff erich who yestordny bitterly attacked Rathenau on the Wiesbaden'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 driven ignominiously from the Chamber alter 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 National- ' ist mass mcethi'r forbidden. Herr Dittmann -Hared that he had proof that the ass;, mat ion was intended as the signal fur a Monarchist upheaval. During scenes in the Reichstag, General Schench, a former War Minister, was severely assaulted after making .unsympathetic remarks about Rathenau. Scheuch, escaped by retreating on his hands and knees under the reporters’ table. GERMAN REPUBLIC ENDANGERED WHY JUNKERS SLEW RARTENAU. (Received Jum ?6, 5.5 p.m.) ‘ ' BERLIN. June 25. There is no mistaking the extraordinarily serious situation which the murder of Dr Rathenau creates. Every Government Party is now convinced the German Republic iis endangered, and I

that Dr Rathenau was murdered because he was trying to the Republic a success, and that every earnest republican leader will meet with the same fate as Dr Rathenau. President Ebert, Chancellor Wirth, end other members of the Government have daily received threatening letters. Possibly, by mere chance. Dr Rathenau was the first picked. The crimes are stated to be part of a deliberate action to restore the monarchy by exterminating the men who are hold’ng a very delicate balance between the parties forming the Republican Government. Failing a coalition between the Left and Centre Parties, a fulfilment of the . Allies’ reparations demands is impossible, and confusion will reign in Germany. The monarchists see their chance therein. The Socialists have issued furious warnings to all speieties to prepare to fight the reactionaries. 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 rar drew up to the kerbstone after the shots were fjre<l. The police offer a reward of a million marks for information resulting in the arrest of Rathenau’s GENERAL STRIKE PROCLAIMED. BERLIN, .Tune 24. Both wings of the Socialist Party are to hold demonstrations in Berlin on Sunday as a protest against the as : 'ss'nation. A general strike for 24 l ours has been proclaimed. FRENCH INDEMNITY HUMTEK. ATTACKED IN BERLIN. BERLIN, June 25. Jean Guvard, a French official on the Reparations Commission, was attacked early this morning outside his residence and robbed of eight thousand marks. He was seriously injured and was sent to the hospital. One of his assailants was arrested.