STARTLING DISCLOSURES

Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 5

STARTLING DISCLOSURES

MUNICH TREASON TRIAL FRENCH PART IN CONSPIRACY (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) BERLIN, June 7. (Received June 8, 9.10 p.m.) Remarkable evidence was given by Major Mahr at the resumption of the trial in Munich of Professor Fuchs and others for alleged conspiracy to separate Bavaria from the Reich. Mahr said he met a French Colonel named Richart, who explained to him that France was the strongest power in the world and could do what she liked. France wished for peace and quietness for the next 50 years, therefore she needed the Rhine frontier. They discussed a plot for two hours. Richart said the rising must take place quickly; only M. Poincare, M. Millerand, General Buat, M. Lenail and himself on the French side were in the secret. Outwardly France would be obliged to adopt an hostile attitude, but nevertheless the conspirators would receive all the help they wanted. Richart said the Ruhr army had instructions to support a rising. He added that 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 Czecho-Slovaks and the Tyrol, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse, Hanover, and Bremen would form a new Rhine Confederation, and the whole west bank of the Rhine would then become French. There naturally was 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 the desire to cause trouble among the Allies by a disclosure of the French policy. It is significant that Berlin will give only the most meagre reports of the trial, which is continuing.