Communists Raid German Liner

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 176, 29 July 1935, Page 7

Communists Raid German Liner

Wild Scene at New York Docks

MANY INJURED AND OTHERS ARRESTED

United Press Association.— Ey Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 10.30 p.m, NEW YORK, July 27.

Two thousand Communists staged a wild anti-Hi tier demonstration at the North German Lloyd docks on the Hudson river between ipidnight and one o’clock on Saturday morning as the liner Bremen prepared to sail for Europe. The disturbance was apparently well planned as the Communists carried placards demanding the release of Thaelman, one of their German loaders, and other slogans appropriate to the occasion.

Before the police were aware of what was happening hundreds boarded the vessel which was crowded with passengers. The visitors immediately started trouble, pulling the German flag with the superimposed swastika from the bow and throwing it into the river. *Ovcr 250 police reserves were called out and the fighting became general on the docks as the Communists several times withstood baton charges before being dispersed. One Communist was shot in the leg by a detective and one of the police was seriously stabbed. A score of demonstrators were wounded and about the same number arc under arrest. Something' of a Diplomatic Incident regret expressed to GERMANY Received Sunday, 9.45 p.m. NEW YORK, July 27. Tho Communist riot on the Bremen combined with Major La Guardia’s refusal to grant au alien German trade license appear to have combined to make Something of a diplomatic incident m Washington. The acting-Hccrc-tary of State (Mr. Carr) unofficially expressed regret at the insult to the German flag and indicated that the Government might extend tho apology if Germany decided to press the incident.

Meanwhile, however, Press reports declare that the Nazi Government holds Mr. La Guardia’s action as a. breach of the trade treaty with America. Pending official confirmation, of this the reports arc not taken seriously in Washington as Germany has already denounced the unconditional most-favour-ed nation section of the treaty effective to October 15.

Lloyd officials to-day praised the efficiency of tho police in handling the .Bremen riot and indicated they considered the incident closed. The police, however, arc inclined to hold the line partially responsible for the unfortunate flag incident as early in tho day they warned the line that the demonstration was scheduled. The lino said it was able to handle tho situation aboard ship if the police provided protection at the docks. New York officials contend they had a sufficient force at the docks but the ship’s officers were at fault for allowing tho Communists to board tho .liner.