GERMAN CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22009, 16 January 1935, Page 9

GERMAN CHARGE

PLOT TO SEIZE POWEK POLICE IN TERRITORY COMMISSIONER BLAMED ALLEGED NEGLECT OF DUTY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 15, 7.5 p.m.) BERLIN, Jan. 15 The chairman of the Governing Commission of the Saar, Mr. Geoffrey Knox, is attacked by an official German agency for " neglecting his supervisory duties and not preventing disaffection among the Saar police." The charge is based on an alleged plot for a putsch organised by socalled immigrant policemen, these being anti-Hitlerites, Communists and others expelled from Germany Mho secured entry by force.

The agency says that Herrmacht's squad of 120 policemen planned, under the leadership of Constable Grumbach, to seize power by force. Grumbach was suspended a few days ago and disappeared. Major Hennessy on Monday searched the barracks and disarmed 69 men and confiscated their weapons. The officer addressed the force secretly at midnight, says the agency, which affirms that Mr. Knox cannot be acquitted of blame. It is alleged further that six policemen and a woman friend of Herrmacht were arrested in connection with the putsch plot. LEAGUE'S DECISION APPEAL FOR PATIENCE ASSURANCE OF NO DELAY British Wireleaj RUGBY. Jan. 14 The Council of the League of Nations, in an appeal to the people of the Saar to preserve calmness and dignity, specially emphasised that this attitude should be maintained, not only during, but after the voting. The population was urged to wait confidently for the Council with all speed to make the decisions that are to follow the voting.