GERMANY

Southland Times, Issue 18929, 1 May 1923, Page 5

GERMANY

PLOTTERS ON TRIAL ’ I REVELATIONS AT LEIPSIG i (By Telegraph —Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) BERLIN, April 28. Reactionary plotting to overthrow the republic was disclosed at a trial at Leipzig held to decide whether the popular freedom party shall be broken up. The whole facts will not be published, as the leaders of the party contend that publication will endanger national interests in view of a i.ew Allied Note regarding illegal German organisation. In consequence of this the judges after opening speeches decided to continue the hearing in private. The preliminary speech for the Government side indicated that the party was highly organised in Prussia, Thuringia and Saxony into companies innocently disguised as gymnastic societies. The discoveries included plants for an advance into Central Germany, investment of Berlin, and field exercises in fighting formation. Branches were established in all the leading towns. When the time was ripe the leadership was to be transferred to a certain general. The most active organiser was Lieut. Rossbach, now awaiting trial on a charge of high treason. The speaker contended that it was the intention to organise all reactionary fighting formations with the object of overthrowing the Government. Von Greve and other leaders of the party, replied that the party was innocent. It* aims were political, but they would not disclose them in open court. They had no intention of engaging in war with France, though it was admitted defence of the front'ers was among the objectives. It was also admitted that Rossbach intrigued to obtain the neutrality of the Reichswehr. At this pcuit the Court entered upon a private session. GERMANY PROSPERING. COMMERCE OF AGRICULTURE FLOURISHING. INTELLECTUALISTS ONLY SUFFERERS LONDON, April 29. The Daily Express’s Berlin correspondent, referring to Lord Buckmaster’s statement in the House of Lords that the life of the Germap people to-day was one of great misery, states that a tour , of Berlin shows the contrary to be the case. The masses of Germany were leading the life of great prosperity. There had been an amazing growth of buildings, including factories and farm dwellings. Outside the capital food is cheap and abundant. It is calculated there are now five times more motorists than before the war.' Agriculturists are probably better off than at any previous period in history. Commercialists are hardly less flourishing. Ruhr capitalists have had gigantic credits opened in their favour to enable them to carry on resistance. It was true the middle classes, especially the Intellectuals, had suffered severely, many being crushed out of existence, but their places w*ere taken by others springing from a different strata of society. FRENCH TRAIN DYNAMITED. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) BERLIN, April 29. A dynamite outrage against a French passenger train is reported from Coblenz. Three French railway officials were killed.