FRANCE AND GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19981, 24 December 1926, Page 13

FRANCE AND GERMANY

GERMERSHEIM AFFAIR. A MOCKERY OP JUSTICE. DEEP RESENTMENT IN BERLIN. (Free. Association—By" Telegraph—Copyright.) BERLIN, December 22. The Government has instructed Herr von Hoesch, the German Ambassador at Paris, to demand the reopening of the Landau (Geimershcim) case, and also to make an official protest pointing out that the acquittal of Lieutenant Rouzier and the convictions of the Germans seriously menaces the furtherance of Franco-Ger-man friendliness. Dr Bell,’Minister in the Occupied Territories, in a statement to the newspapers, declares that the verdict is unbearable and is a mockerv of justice. If courts-martial think so lightly of the lives of the inhabitants, the people will be convinced that they are living without the protection of the lawj and adds: “Germany will do all in her power to make the right triumph.” Unabated indignation at the decision is voiced in the morning press, which unanimously declares that, while German territory is occupied and such acts are committed with impunity, real Franco-German conciliation is impossble. The Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger states that tho verdict will unite all hearts in Germany. Tlie Kreuz Zeitung says: “Thus does Locarno look in reality.” The Deutsche Tages Zeitnng states that the decision will not be forgotten when Frence again tries to mislead Germany with promises. The Berliner Allgemeine Zeitung says: verdict which acquits a murderer and sentences his victims is a bloody mockery of justice."—A. and N.Z. Cable.