GERMERSHEIM AFFAIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19980, 23 December 1926, Page 11

GERMERSHEIM AFFAIR

SHOOTING OF CIVILIANS. FINDING OF COURTMARTIAL. FRENCH SOLDIERS ACQUITTED, (Free* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.) PARIS, December 22. (Received Dec. 22, at 11 p.m.) The court-martial held concerning the Franco-German affray at Germersheim in September, when two French soldiers collided with several Germans, one of whom, Mueller, was killed, and another, Mathes, was wounded by shots from the Frenchmen. The court acquitted the French lieutenant, Rouzier. It sentenced Mathes to two years’ default and passed minor sentences on five other Germans. t A message from Berlin states that the news of the decision was received with great indignation in official quarters there. The findings and the sentences are described as a travesty of justice. It is asserted that all the weight of the evidence was against the plea that Lieutenant Rouzier was provoked, and the death of Mueller is described as a cold-blooded murder. The verdict is certain to arouse considerable feeling in Germany, and responsible quarters fear that it will undo a great deal of the good work that was started at Locarno for the improvement of Franco-German relations.—A. and N.Z. Cable. Two French soldiers at Germersheim (Batavia) quarrelled with two German civilians. They warned the public to stand back, and then shot the Germans. The French gendarmerie arrested a number of Germans.