VAN DER LUBBE'S END

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21697, 12 January 1934, Page 9

VAN DER LUBBE'S END

NO CHANGE IN DEMEANOUR TACITURNITY MAINTAINED BERLIN, Jan. 10 The Dutchman, Van der Lubbe, who was guillotined this morning, after beipg found guilty of setting fire to the Reichstag, was said by one spectator of the execution to have " died as he lived—like a dumb animal." The carrying out of the sentence came as a surprise to the condemned man. Van der Lubbe refused to allow the prison chaplain to spend the last night in his cell, as is customary. He slept perfectly calmly. ■ He did not answer when asked whether h© wished the chaplain to accompany him on the last walk to the guillotine. Representatives of the press were not admitted to the execution, which they were instructed to report as a bare fact, omitting details. The guillotining was completed in a few seconds, amid the tolling of the prison bell. Yesterday doctors examined Van der Lubbe and pronounced him sane. The Nazi headquarters state that Van der Lubbe was guillotined instead of being hanged because hanging is an ignominious penalty reserved for traitors, whereas Van de Lubbe committed crime from conviction. Nevertheless, decapitation should not be interpreted as a milder form of execution.

An Amsterdam message states. that news of the execution has raised considerable indignation among certain sections of the population, which were completely surprised, as it was felt, after the Dutch Government's representations, President Hindenburg would commute the sentence.