MILITARY AUTOCRATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 7

MILITARY AUTOCRATS.

THE TRIAL AT STRASBURG, CONFLICTING EVIDENCE. BARRISTERS' STATEMENTS. NO NEED TO INTERFERE. By Tolesrach—Press Association— (Received January 9, 11.15 p.m.) Berlin, January 9. Conflicting evidence was again given yesterday during the course of the court-martial at Strasburg of Colonel von Reuter on a charge of infringing the liberty of the # subject at Zabern (Alsace) during the recent riots between the military and civilians. A military witness described tho stoning of the soldiers by a howling crowd of 100 people. Two barristers stated there was complete tranquillity, and no cause for military intervention. A sergeant of the gendarmerie testified that he saw the military arresting people in the Schloss Platz at Zabern on December 28. The square was practically emptyHe did not know why the people were arrested. The excitement always became noticeable when the soldiers appeared. The Honour of the Army. Colonel von Reuter made a dramatic appeal to the Court, and declared on his honour as a soldier and a man that he had done only what was absolutely necessary to prevent worse things happening. The honour of the army was in his keeping, and he had safeguarded the trust reposed in him. The Prosecutor in his address said the colonel had acted in good faith and unconsciously usurped the police authority. He had violated the law in imprisoning citizens instead of handing them over to the civil authorities. Acquittal Proposed. The Crown Prosecutor proposed that there should be an acquittal of Colonel von Reuter on the charge of usurping the executive power, as he was not aware he was acting illegally, but suggested a week's im- | prisonment on the charge of infring- | ing the liberty of the subject.

The Prosecutor proposed three days' imprisonment for Lieutenant Schad for striking the witness Kormann.

The Judges postponed their decision until Saturday.

Der Tageblatt says the Crown Prince denies that his recent telegrams were intended to imply that the people of Alsace and Lorraine were the enemies of the country, but maintains the honour of the uniform and officers must be protected from insult.. It was the duty of the commander to protect his officers and men.