SLOW PROGRESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 256, 26 September 1933, Page 7

SLOW PROGRESS

REICHSTAG FIRE TRIAL. REVELATIONS BY PRISONER. TORGLER MAINTAINS INNOCENCE (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.) Received September 26, 10.25 a.m. BERLIN, Sept. 25. The Reichstag fire trial has resumed at Leipzig. Van de Lubbe, despite breaking his fast, was deathly pale and seemed wholly disinterested in the proceedings. Taneff, a shoemaker, admitted that ho had been twice sentenced in his absence to 123 years’ imprisonment for Communist activities in Bulgaria, but had been granted an amnesty. Torgler, receiving permission to make a speech in answer to the indictment, announced in ringing tones: “I am completely innocent. I had nothing to do with the fire, directly or indirectly. I surrendered the day after the fire to defend myself against this monstrous charge. I fought in prison for seven months to prove my innocence. - For five months I was kept day and night in chains and I did not endure this torture because I was strong bodily, but because the consciousness of my innocence provided tho determination to vindicate my party.” Van der Lubbe, re-examined, listlessly answered questions regarding his movements the week before the fire. Asked whether he had told welfare officers it would be necessary to fire public buildings and provoke the Storm Troopers to inflame the public, he replied : “Possibly.” MUZZLING THE PRESS. REFERENCE TO CHAINS. Received September 26, 12.15 p.m. BERLIN, Sept. 25. The German Press has been instructed to suppress Torgler’s reference to chains. It must merely say that he proclaimed his innocence. It is understood that Torgler’s hands were fastened to his waist, _ allegedly because it was feared he might commit suicide. Tho fire in the • Reichstag broke out in the main hall of the building, in which tho deputies used to meet. All the Berlin fire brigades were rushed to the scene and tho flames were visible for miles. The building was half gutted. All the deputies’ seats and the public galleries were destroyed and the iron pillars which supported the golden dome were twisted out of shape. Traces were found of 2(1- attempts round the building to start the five. Rags and wood chips goaked in petrol were used. Yan der Lubbe, who was arrested the same night, was said to have admitted that ho had started the fire and that he had acted independently.