THE SAAR INCIDENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18582, 17 December 1934, Page 13

THE SAAR INCIDENT

STATEMENT BY GIRL PASSENGER IN THE CAR ATTACK MADE BY NAZIS (Elpc Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received December 17, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 16. The British United Press Kaarbrucken correspondent says that Katy Braun, a Ideal girl, lias given the Saar Commission a detailed report of the Justice affair. She says: "Captain Justice was driving mo Inline from a night club. Lord Aylesford occupied the hack seat. Captain .Justice was sober, and capable of managing the car, but not noticing the number he drove past my house. Jn turning round, he barked the car on to the pavement, knocking down a woman, who screamed. #

"A number of men who were leaving a cafe advanced on Captain Justice menacingly. Captain Justice apologised for knocking down the woman. They only threatened Captain Justice, whereupon he explained that he was a police officer and tivcw a revolver. "This infuriated the crowd, and somebody hi! Captain Justice a terrific blow mi 'the head, shouting: 'What do you mean, von dirty pig of an Knglishman':' She grabbed Captain Justice's revolver hand, or mora people might have, been shot.

"1 think the attackers were Nazis.'' he added. "I am a Nazi myself, and

member of the German Front

i'iie latest information says that the woman who was knocked down was onlv slightly hurt. The incident has caused the commission much perturbation. Mr. Geoffrey ,nov spent the day soothing the ugly feelings, which, unfortunately, have arisen oil the eve of the arrival of (he British contingent.

Air. Geoffrey Knox ffieially states that the ear driven liy Captain Justice was attempting to (\rn\ the corner, but drove on to the pavement, injuring one person. A-crowd, assembled and threatened the three passengers, especially the officer who was driving. A free light followed, and several shots were fired. One'person was injured. The police officer was injured by blows and admitted to hospital. The police will investigate and report, and a, court of inquiry will be held and the aggressor will Bo dealt with wftli full severity, and. without consideration for their status. The police officer will be deprived of his rank until the matter is cleared up. Officials consider that no political importance attaches to the incident, and emphasise, that Captain Justice was not" a member of the regular forces. It is now learned that the injuries to Captain Justice, who is an ex-member ol the South Africa i police, were confined to cuts and bruises

The ear struck Mrs. Steig, who was walking with her husband, necessitating" first aid. The bystanders, including members of the Deutscht'ront, became hostile and called others from an adjacent restaurant, until 4b menacing Nazis surrounded Captain Justice, who. producing papers establishing his identity as a police officer, asked the crowd to disperse. They refused, manhandling Lord Aylesford. Captain Justice threatened them with his revolver, which several attempted to seize. Two shots were fired, one superficially hit an electrician named Naumeistcrer in the stomach.

Captain Justice, interviewed ill hospital, admitted that the car ran over the woman's foot, and also knocked a man over without hurling him.

lie added: "Then the crowd became menacing, I drew a gun and somebody socked mo on the bead, upon which I fired into the. ground in order to frighten them. Someone then tried to seize the revolver, which went off again and just scratched somebody's skin. The crowd then knocked me unconscious, and the police cleared np the show." Kerr Dietmann, deputy-leader of the Dcutschfront, while willing to regard the incvident as accidental, requests the prevention of any recurrence.