FIGHT FOR YOUNG PLAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20387, 16 October 1929, Page 13

FIGHT FOR YOUNG PLAN.

GERMAN GOVERNMENT.

NATIONALISTS OPPOSED.

DANGER OF REFERENDUM.

PEOPLE ASKED NOT TO VOTE.

(Received October 15, 10.35 p.m.) Times Cable. LONDON, Oct. 14. The Berlin correspondent of tho Times says tho German Government is carrying on an active campaign against tho Nationalists' scheme for a referendum on the Young reparation plan. The Minister of Justice, Herr von Guerard, in a broadcast speech, angrily denounced tho plan. Ho said the rejection of tho Young plan would mean tho inoccupation of tho Rhineland by tho Allies.

" The time has come," said the Ministor, " when tho German people must choose botween common-sense and nonsense."

Simultaneously the Government issued a statement calling upon tho public to reject tho referendum. This was signed by all tho members of tho Cabinet and the Premiers of Prussia and other States, also by 80 prominent men, including bankers and business men.

Tho statement emphasised that tho wholo "policy of understanding" initiated by the late Herr Stresemann would bo imperilled by the success of the referendum. It exhorted tho nation to abstain from taking part in it.

Before a referendum can be taken on the Young plan in Germany it is necessary for tho organisers of the movement to obtain 4,000,000 signatories to a requisition. Horr Alfred Ilugenberg, chairman of tho German National People's Party, on September 2 inaugurated the campaign against tho Young plan, intended to culminate in a referendum on the subject. Taking his stand at Wurzburg, Bavaria, alongside tho monument to Arminius, who led tho Germanic tribes against the Roman legions, Herr Hugenberg pointed to the sword of Arminius. Ho said Germany's sword had been snatched away and would not bo restored by the world until their hearts again were strong. A Bavarian speaker said the fight for freedom must bo waged both against the enemy on tho Rhino and the enemy at home. A representative of tho Steel Helmets organisation demanded tho inculcation of tho military idea. Ho avowed his faith in tho sword. Numerous similar Nationalist and Fascist demonstrations were mado against tho Young plan and tho " war guilt lie," including parades by the Steel Helmets. The ex-Crown Prince Rupprecht, notable for tho previous moderation of his public utterances, mado a speech at Municli attacking the \oung plan. He uttered a warning against driving the Germans to desperation and Bolshevism.