BRITAIN NOT INVOLVED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18583, 18 December 1934, Page 6

BRITAIN NOT INVOLVED

THE SAAR INCIDENT STATEMENT IN COMMONS (British Official Wireless.) Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. 17. The Saarbritckeu incident was brought to the notice of the House of Commons by the Opposition Leader, Mr. Geo. Lansbury, who asked for a statement by the Foreign Secretary. Sir John Simon, replying, explained that the Saar police force was under the sole authority of the Saar Governing Commission, upon which continued to rest the primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order in Hie territory. Ilis (Majesty’s Government had, of course, no responsibility, either tor tlie recruitment or selection of the members of that force. He understood that recruitment abroad for this police force had now ceased, in view of the despatch to the Saar of the international force, which had no connection with the Saar police, but which was placed at the disposal of the governing commission for the purpose of maintaining order in case of need. The Governing Commission had issued special instructions for a prompt and thorough investigation, and the police officer concerned had been suspended until the matter was officially cleared up. As the question was still sub jtulice. Sir John Simon was unable to make any further statement, except that wherever the blame might be found to be, such an incident at this time was exceedingly unfortunate. There was no reason to anticipate political complications, and tic emphasised l again that neither the international force nor the British Government had any connection with the matter.