QUIET IN THE SAAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 40, 15 January 1935, Page 7

QUIET IN THE SAAR

NO VIOLENT OUTBURSTS. APPEAL TO POPULACE. BY LEAGUE COUNCIL. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received January 15, 11.20 a.m. RUGBY, Jail. 14. The voting in the Saar plebiscite took place in an orderly manner and no serious disturbances occurred. The troops of tlie International Force were posted at strategic points throughout the territory, but were called upon to perform no duties other than escort the ballot boxes from the polling booths to the counting stations. It is hoped these peaceful conditions will continue. The League Council, in the appeal issued to tno Saar population to preserve calmness and dignity, specially emphasised that this attitude should be maintained not only during, but after, the voting. Hie population was urged to wait confidently for the Council to take with all speed the decisious that follow tlio voting.

ALLEGED ILLEGALITIES.

TALK OF CIVIL WAR

DISTRIBUTION OF REFUGEES

Received January 15, 8.5' a.m. PARIS, Jan. 14. The Minister of the Interior (M. Regnier) calculates that 50,0C(J Saar citizens will attempt to cross the frontier into Lorraine. ■ An inquiry is being made in tlie towns of .Northern France as to how the refugees can be distributed. Thus Roubaix is prepared to receive 5000 “Red” refugees, and the others will be housed temporarily in other towns. Saarbrucken correspondents concur that the Nazi German Front virtually swept the Saar. It is estimated that 75 per cent, favour the return to Germany. One English returning officer said: It has been far more orderly than an English election. There is a possibility that antiNazis will protest officially against what they describe as illegalities of the plebiscite. Herr Max Braun, the Socialist leader, says not a single condition of a free election was observed. “The workers won’t stand these provocations. "We are drifting towards civil war,” he said.

Herr Pfordt, the Communist leader, is taking the same line.

VOTERS HARASSED

LIKE AN OPERATION

Received January 15, 11.50 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 14

The Daily Mail’s correspondent, Mr Ward Price, writing from Saarbrucken, says the voters were so harassed, by warnings and directions that the majority were depressed as if undergoing a major operation. They dared iiardiy speak in the queues. Herr Max Braun declared that a German Front reign of terror was likely within 48 bobrs. Saarbrucken’s 1240 Mullers and 1560 Schmidts had special booths.

PREMATURE REPORTS.

“VICTORY FOR GERMANY.”

LONDON, Jan. 14

The Daily Mail’s Saarbrucken correspondent says that Herr Buerckel (Nazi Commissioner in the Saar) after midnight stated that reports from all Nazi Front organisers declared : We have won a great victory for Germany and the Nazi cause. At least 5000 former opponents changed their minds at the last minute in favour of Germany. One war veteran converted the Merzig Communists in a body. “Immediately the plebiscite results in the Saar’s return to Germany I will urge Communists to stay here and assure them of protection, even though they voted against Germany,” said Herr Buerckel, to Mr Ward Price, the Daily Mail’s correspondent. Herr Buerckel said that only those Jews who had been actively anti-Ger-man need be uneasy. He emphatically opposed concentration camps and pledged himself not to establish any in the Saar. He added that his views had Herr Hitler’s full support.