GERMAN SENSATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18591, 27 June 1922, Page 5

GERMAN SENSATION

DR RATHENAU’S DEATH

FUETHER OUTRAGES FEARED.

MONARCHIST RISING SUGGESTED.

AMAZING SCENES IN REICHSTAG.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, June 24. The news of the assassination of Dr Walter Kathenau (Minister of Foreign Affairs) near his home at Gnuiewaia suburb, caused a sensation in Berlin. A grenade blew off his left leg. He died m tde arms of his housemaid, who xau out wnen the car drew up to the Kerbstone alter the shots had were tired. Ur Wirtli states that the murder is likely to cause gave internal troubles. He added: ‘‘Others have been threatened, and 1 am certain that i shall be the next victim.” During the scene in the Reichstag, uenerai Scheuoh, a former War Minister, was severely assaulted after making unsympathetic remarks about Dr Kathenau. uenerai Scheuch escaped by retreating on his hands and knees under tne reporters’ table. Bom wings of the Socialist Party are to hold demonstrations in Berlin on Sunday as a protest against the assassination. A general strike for 24 hours has been proclaimed.—A. and N.Z. Cable. BERLIN, June 25. The police offer a reward of 1,000,000 marks lor me information, which will result in tne arrest of Dr Kathenau’s murderer. ' Amazing scenes were witnessed in the Reichstag when the news of Ur Ratheuau s assassination was conveyed to the Deputies. When Count Helherich, who yesterday bitterly attacked Dr Kathenau on the Wiesbaden Agreement, arrived hi tne Reichstag with otner members of the German National Party, a crowd of infuriated members attacked them. Blows were freely exchanged, and books and rulers- were used as missiles. Tne Nationalists were driven iguominiously Irani the Chamber, alter practically all of them had suffered injury Herr Bernstein, of the Left wing, seized Count Helfferich by the throat, shook him violently, and shouted: ‘‘Lou are the assassin; you are the murderer.” The Government' declined to declare martial law in Berlin. Nationalist mass meetings were forbidden. Dr vv'irth expressed the Government’s regret at the outrage. Herr Dittmann declared that he had proof that the assassination was intended as a signal for a monarchist upheaval.— A. and N.Z. Cable.

MURDER CAREFULLY PLANNED.

ASSASSINS WELL ORGANISED. DETAILS OF THE CRIME. VICTIM SHOT THREE TIMES IN HEAD, ■, BERLIN, June 25. The assassins showed a high degree. of organisation and careful preparations for the crime. Dr Rathenau resided in a quiet suburb; consequently therg were only few spectators of the murder. Several young pien in a powerful car rapidly overhauled Dr Rathenau. Its occupants were disguised with motoring goggles and leather caps pulled well down. Three shots went through the victim’s head and his lower jaw was practically shot away; also a bullet through his arms, and' chest, while the grenade lacerated the lower portion of his body. It is a significant fact that Dr' Escherisch, the notorious organiser of the Orgesch secret Monarchist Society, arrived in Berlin from Bavaria on Thursday with numerous attendants. He quitted Berlin secretly on Saturday.—A. auaN-iS-Cable.

A UNIVERSAL PEACEMAKER

DR WIRTH’S TRIBUTE.

WARNING TO MONARCHISTS

BERLIN, June 25. Dr Wirfch, in the Reichstag, paid a touching tribute to Dr liathenau, whose aim, he said, was universal conciliation. He died not only for the cause of the German people, but of all mankind. 1 Dr Wirth said; “Woe to those who have interrupted Dr Eathenau’s work. This great man with a child’s heart had many deadly foes, who aimed at his life. The German people must settle ■with those arch-enemies of the Republic. No- Republican or Democrat ever perpetrated such an outrage against the Monarchists, who continue to make plots, and they are backed with ample financial support; Murderers are paid and protected by them.” Dt Wirth in a voice of anger ' concluded : “Gentlemen of the Eight, the methods you have practised until now cannot be allowed to continue.” The Chancellor’s utterance evoked great enthusiasm. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

MR LLOYD GEORGE’S SYMPATHY.

HORROR EXPRESSED AT OUTRAGE. LONDON, June 25. Mr Lloyd George, speaking at the Welsh Baptist Chapel, said; ‘‘Dr Rathenau was one of the ablest Ministers in Europe. He had been doing his best to restore good relations between his country and the other nations which have been wronged. That is why he was murdered. The Prime Minister expressed the deepest horror at the outrage. He said he trusted that Germany would not suffer from the -wrong which the assassins had inflicted upon her.

FRENCH PRESS VIEWS. REACTION AGAINST REPUBLIC PARTS, June 25. Tlie newspapers see in Dr Rathenau’s murder striking evidence of theidangerous reaction against the German' Republic. One of its sturdiest defenders disappears in Dr Rathenau. Some papers aver that the way is now cleared for Herr Stinnes, supported by big business men and financiers, to realise his dual object of the restoration of the monarchy and vengeance.—A. and N.Z. Cable.