Death Penalty on Nazis

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 March 1935, Page 5

Death Penalty on Nazis

Plot to Seize Part of Lithuania for Germany SEQUEL TO MASS ROUND UP (United PiMuociation—By Electric Telegr*pb Copyright). LONDON, March 26. A court-martial at Kovno (Lithuania) has condemned four Nazis to death for murder and for -plotting to seize part of Lithuania on behalf of Germany. The leader of the Memel Nazis, Dr. Neuman, and his deputy’, Hei’r Bertuleit, were sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, and nine others to nine years. Herr Dressier, ex-president of the Memel Chamber, was sentenced to eight years. Thirty-five of the accused were released. The sentence on others ranged from one to eight years. The property’ of all found guilty was confiscated. The four sentenced to death were found guilty of murdering a fellow Nazi whom they suspected of betra.ving them. Two others charged with murder wer,e .sentenced to life imprisonment.

The death sentences will probably be commuted to life imprisonment. The court-martial will publish the proceedings on April 3, and the case will then go to the Court of Cassation, and .possibly’ to the Supreme Ooui’t. The executions, in any event, ai’e unlikely before MayA Beilin message says that the Allegexneine Zeitung warns the Government against entering a pact including Lithuania while Germans ai’e subjugated. It adds : “The entire German people supports its martyrs.” Investigations lasting many months culminated in December in the discovery of the alleged plot. Memel Storm Troopers allegedly’ carried out secret military exercises and established a special court to deal with “traitors.” After discovery of the plot the German Consul, Herr Loepke, the ViceConsuls, Herr t vi>ii Halein and Dr. Strack, were recalled to. Berlin. The police rounded up 126 Nazis who faced a mass court-martial. Seven were accused of murdering a. “traitor” named Jessutis. The majority denied that they were. merely maintaining German traditions.

Memel is a small strip of territory between East Prussia and Lithuania, and is controlled by the League of Nations. Its port (Memel) is the chief outlet for Lithuania.