FRENCH ’PLANE SEIZED

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 8

FRENCH ’PLANE SEIZED

AFTER CRASH IN GERMANY - GERMAN METHOD OF RETALIATION MAY BE MADE TEST CASE Reuter's Telegram. PARIS, September 20. The “Echo de Pans” states that the German authorities at Freiburg have issued an order to prevent the French airman de Coste from leaving Freiburg and returning to France. The French Government is dealing with tho matter. The Germans seized de Coste’s machine .i:d dismantled the motor. • De Coste and Therry crashed in a fog over the Black Forest on their way to the East. (Received September 21, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. The “Morning Post” states that de Coste was arrested by the German police as lie left the Freiburg Hospital (and was only released on the payment of 25,000 marks’ bail) on charges of flying over Germany. It was in retaliation for the Versailles Treaty’s restriction of their aviation production .that the Germans forbade the flight over Germany of any full-strength Allied machine. Owing to this rule de Coste and Thierry had planned to fly via Switzerland, but they were misled in the fog, and crashed in the Black Forest. Germany’s dramatic action is likely to be treated as a test case. There may be serious repercussions, as it threatens the possibilities of civil aviation, and may affect the all-British route to India.