SAAR PLEBISCITE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1935, Page 5

SAAR PLEBISCITE

SUNDAY’S POLL

GREAT INTEREST SHOWN JEJwted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right.) LONDONJanuary 11. The “News Chronicle’s” Geneva correspondent says: The procedure regarding the future of the Saar Basin will depend on the result of the voting on Sunday. If every district votes for the return of the region to Germany. 01 for the status quo, the League Council’s task should be an' easy one, but if some of the Communes votes one way, and some thq other, the problem immediately becomes' more complicated, and even dangerous.

The Peace Treaty- empowers the League Council to dispose of the territory much as it thinks; fit, taking into consideration the wishes of the inhabitants; but any proposal for the partition of the territory would meet with strong opposition.

Everybody (says the correspondent), is therefore hoping that the issue will be able to be decided finally without delay. •

ANNOUNCING OF RESULTS.

SA ARBRUCKEN. - January 11

The results ,of the. Plebiscite will be broadcast cn Monday in German, French and English, from the Wartburg Hall, as they are received from the eighty-three districts voting. Finally, the total vote on each of the three alternatives will be given.

It is hoped that this will keep manv of the Saarlanders iati home,' instead of roaming the streets. The results are being relayed to foreign stations.

UNRULY SCENES

LONDON, January II

Unruly scenes in the streets of Saarbrucken continue. They are associated mainly with the arrival of voters from abroad. The German Front officers say that their followers have been' urged not to overdo the welcome to the foreign voters, but the‘ United FrOnters a llege that these demonstrations are secretly planned. SOCIALIST LEADER’S PROPOSAL.

SA ARBRUCKEN, January 11

The Saar Socialist leader, Herr Braun, declares that if Sunday’s vote favours Germany, fifty thousand will want to leave the Saar as refugees. He says: “Even if only 20 per cent, of the population vote against the Territory returning to Germany, the League of Nations ought to split the Saar, making the area on the left bank of the river a refuge for those Saarlanaers who have voted for the status ouo.” . Tf the League of Nations declines to afford a sanctuary, Her r Braun will appeal to it for transportation funds.

He added that four thousand Jews are making their own arrangements to quit the territory.

NAZI COUP PLANNED

LONDON, January 11

The “Manchester Guardian’s” Saarbrucken correspondent says: The' Nazis are planning to celebrate a victory in the Saar before the result of the plebiscite is known. Their operation is timed to begin on Sunday evening. There is to be a seizure of power which that evening is to proceed quietly but emphatically, including the post offices, the railways, the power station's, and other buildings. If the Nazi plans are carried out, the League of Nations will be confronted with the accomplished fact of a Nazi Saar, irrespective of the result of the voting or the filial decision at Geneva.

It is difficult to see how the international troops can interfere effectively if the Nazi coup succeeds. The responsibility will be with the German Government.

DETERMINED VOTER

LONDON, January 11

Herr Hans Frohlieh, a German Jew, lias arrived at Southhampton from Johannesburg. He is en route to Saarbrucken. He says that lie has undertaken this seven thousand miles trip purposely to vote against Hitler.

MOVE COUNTERED. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) i LONDON, Jan. 11. The Saarbrucken German Front has instructed all supporters jto decorate their houses with garlands and illuminations on Saturday night, so that every German house could he recognised. The opposition countered the move by asking its supporters to do the same.

RESULT ON 15th. SAAR.BRUOKEN, Jan. 11. (Received this dav at 10.50 a.m.) It is officially announced that the plebiscite result will not be declared until 8 o’clock on the night of January loth'