BAVARIAN CONSPIRACY

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 26

BAVARIAN CONSPIRACY

FRANCE IMPLICATED. BERLIN, June I. Remarkable evidence was given by Major Mahr when the trial in Municn of Professor Fuchs and others for alleged conspiracy to separate Bavaria from the Reich was resumed. Major Mahr said he met the French Colonel Richart, who explained to him that France was the strongest power in the world and could do what she liked. France wished lor peace and quietness for the next 50 years and therefore she needed the Rhine frontier. They discussed the plot for two hours. Colonel Richart said that the rising must take place quickly. Only M. Poincare and M. Millerand, General ffuat, M. Lenail and himself on the French side were in the secret. Outwardly f ranee would be obliged to adopt a hostile attitude, but nevertheless the conspirators would receive all the help they wanted. Colonel Richart said that the Ruhr army had instructions to support the rising. He added that the action in the Ruhr would come opportunely for France, as otherwise a reduction would have been necessary’. The plan was that Bavaria should be joined to Austria, though Vienna would be given to the Czechoslovaks. The Tyrol, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse, Hanover, and Bremen , would form the New Rhine Confederation, and the whole of the west bank of the Rhine would then become French. There naturally is much speculation as to the motive for the trial which is so compromising to many of the Government's chief supporters. One reason given is a desire to cause trouble among the Allies by the disclosure of the French policy, it is significant that Berlin gives only the most meagre reports of the trial, which is continuing.