PLOTTING IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18850, 1 May 1923, Page 7

PLOTTING IN GERMANY

ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW REPUBLIC.

HIGHLY ORGANISED “FREEDOM’ PARTY.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, April 28. Reactionary plotting to overthrow the Republic was disclosed at a trial at Leipzig, which was held to decide whether the popular Freedom Party should be broken up. The whole facts will not be published, as the leaders of the party contend that the publication will endanger the national interests, in view of the new Allied Note regarding illegal German organisations. In consequence of this the •judges, after their opening speeches, decided to continue the hearing in private. The preliminary speech for the Government side indicated that the party was highly organised in Prussia, Thuringia, ahd Saxony into companies, innocently as gymnastic societies. The discoveries included plans for an advance into Central Germany, and the investment of Berlin, and the practice of field exercises in fighting formation. It was stated that branches had been established in all the leading towns, and that when the time was ripe, the leadership would bo transferred to a certain general. The most active organiser was Lieutenant Rossbach, who is now awaiting trial on a charge of high treason. The speaker contended that it was the intention to organise all the reactionary fighting formations with the object of overthrowing the Government. Herr von Greve and other leaders of the party replied that the party was innocent. Its aims were political, but they would hob disclose them in open court. They had no intention of engaging in a war with France, though it was admitted that defence .of the frontiers was among the objectives. It was also admitted that Lieutenant Rossbach had intrigued to obtain the neutrality of the Keichswehr. At this point the court entered upon a private session.—A. and is.Z. Cable. 9 . The trial referred to above arises out of the Rossbach plot, which was discovered at the end of March, and which aimed at the overthrow of the Republic and the establishment of a National Dictatorship. Tho documents which were impounded incriniinated Marshal von Ludendorff as the chief figure in the background and also a number of regular army officers.