ESPIONAGE CHARGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 286, 31 October 1933, Page 7

ESPIONAGE CHARGE

CASE AGAINST MR PANTER. OUTLOOK NOT BRIGHT. CAUTION EXERCISED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received October 31, 9.30 a.m. BERLIN, Oct. 30. It is authoritatively announced that the British journalist, Mr Noel Panter, is going to Leipzig and will be examined by a Magistrate on the charge of espionage. It is alleged that the arrested German journalist, Herr Joseph Achermann, made a statement making the case against Mr Panter the blackest. If the Magistrate decides on a prosecution Mr Panter will be tried in the Supreme Court. The British Consul and Vice-Consul saw Mr Panter and the police recorded the entire conversation. Mr Panter said that a German prisoner was placed in his cell, necessitating caution, as he feared he might be an agent-provacateur. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. DECISION NOT YET MADE. PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED. (British Official Wireless.) Received October 31, 10.50 a.m. RUGBY, Oct. 30. The British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Eric Phipps, has received a further Note from the German Minister of Foreign Affairs from which it appears that no decision lias yet been taken with regard to the formation of « charge against Mr Panter, the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The British Ambassador requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to furnish him at the earliest possible moment with precise information regarding the charge. It is understood that the normal procedure in the case will be for the Bavarian Government to send its papers to the State Prosecutor at Leipzig, with a recommendation as to the nature of the charge. Only the State Prosecutor, however, can decide whether the case will be proceeded with and, if so, in virtue of which article in the Criminal Code the charge will be preferred.