GERMAN FIRE TRIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22067, 25 September 1933, Page 9

GERMAN FIRE TRIAL

VAN DER LUBBE'S MUTENESS EVIDENCE OF A SPECIALIST (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LEIPZIG, September 22. A disavowal of the much published story that he set fire to the Reichstag building was made on the resumption of the trial by Heines, police president at Breslau, an erstwhile Storm Trooper. He said he was in Gleiwitz that night. The question of whether Van der Lubbe's muteness is feigned or a symptom of insanity led to the early calling of a specialist, Dr von Hoesser, who testified that the prisoner was healthy and strong, talkative, and of ready wit while in prison, where he refused food in order to expedite the trial and save further suspense. THE TRIAL CONTINUED. LEIPZIG, September 23. (Received Sept. 24, at 10 p.m.) More pale and apathetic than ever, Van der Lubbe, through the refusal of food, looked in danger of collapse. Consequently, at counsel's request, a doctor sat alongside him. There was a dramatic moment when Dimitrova was cross-examined. He said he had seen reports that he waß sentenced to death in Bulgaria in absentia for leading an armed band after he had previously been sentenced to life for insurrection in 1927. Dimitrova heatedly protested against the injustice of the rejection of five lawyers he nominated. He provided sensation after sensation, and sometimes addressed the court like a political meeting. Continually gesticulating, often shouting, he denounced police methods of investigation, causing the judge to explode with anger and threaten to exclude Dimitrova for the rest of the trial if he did not behave himself. Charged with discrepancies between to-day's testimony and his preliminary examination, denounced the examination as mendacious, because the police wanted " to frame me up as an incendiary." The president angrily interjected: "I repudiate that." :S ~ _ Popoff, in a quiet, high-pitched voice, answered easily and suavely. He admitted joining Bulgarian Communists at the age of 20. He denied that he had been prosecuted, and he had not participated in an armed insurrection. Heisig, a police official, who examined Van der Lubbe after the fire, said he freely admitted having set fire to the building to awaken the workers to revolt. He was willing to abide by the consequences. Torgler'fl wife told journalists that she was sure her husband would be fairly tried.

THE " COMMISSION'S " FINDING.

LONDON, September 23. (Received Sept. 24, at 5.5 p.m.)

A Kingsway Hall meeting decided that a deputation to the German Ambassador should convey the decision of the London Reichstag " Commission." Lady Marley offered to lead the deputation, though the Commissioner of Police has forbidden it. - LUBBE HUNGER STRIKING. LEIPZIG, Feptember 24. (Received Sept. 25, at 0.45 a.m.) Lubbe is on a hunger strike. The prosecution says his motive is to break up the trial. The court physician declares that if Lubbe persists it will be necessary to consider forcible feeding.