SECRET SOCIETY.

Grey River Argus, 16 October 1922, Page 5

SECRET SOCIETY.

GERMAN MONARCHISTS. F URTH E R REV E 1 ,AT 1()N S. AT THE RATHENAU MURDER TRIAL. [a. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Receiver October 15, at 5.5. p.m.) LONDON, October 13. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspond* at states;— An analysis shows that the chocolates, which were sent to tho Leipzig prisoners, charged with Dr Rathenau, the German Foreign Minister’s murder, contained arsenic. It is assumed that the prisoner who received them was a member of the secret society which organised Dr liathenau’s murder. Ernest Techow, one prisoner, broke down under a dramatic cross-examina-tion by the President of the court, who warm'd Ernest that he was liable to the death penalty, and asked him, for the sake of his mother, to tell the truth. Ernest confessed that he took part in tho murder, and did so because he gave his word of honour to Kern. He said: —“If I had refused, Kern would have shot me.” Ernest burst into tears as he repeated: —Kern said: —‘If you refuse to help, I will shoot you down. -Ernest cont inued : —‘ ‘ Everybody belonging to the society has to obey orAN ACQUITTAL LIKELY. VICTIM’B MOTHER INTERVENES. (Rec. October 15. 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, October 13. A pathetic •episode occurred during the closing scenes at the trial of Dr. Rathenau’s murderers. xhe defending counsel read a letter, which the aged mother of Dr Rathenau wrote to the mo ther of Ernest Techow, against whom the Public Prosecutor is demanding the death 'sentence. Frau Rathenau wrote: —‘‘In indescribable pain, .1 stretch out a hand to you, the most miserable of all women. Tell your son 1 pardon him, in the name and in the spirit of his victim. May God pardon him if he makes full confession to earthly judges and awaits the divine judge with contrition. If your boy had known my son, the noblest, creature who walked the earth soon-er than turn a deadly weapon against him, he would ‘ have turned it against himself. May these words bring peace to your soul. ’ ’ Tears were in the eyes of the judge.as the letter was read. Afterwards Techow, when asked it had anything to say replied: —“I have told the Court the truth. 1 greatly reproach myself for my action, and 1 await the court’s just punishment.” It is expected that the appeal to th< Court ’s feeling will be successful. Three out of the nine judges hava already declared that they will not vote for the death penalty. Seven out of the nine must agree to a capital sentence under the German Law.