AIR RAID STORY

Southland Times, Issue 22052, 27 June 1933, Page 5

AIR RAID STORY

GERMAN CANARD NO EYE-WITNESSES OF “INCIDENT” POLITICAL CAPITAL (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Berlin, June 25.

Press and official circles continue to make the utmost political capital out of the air raid, which coincidently came 24 hours before the opening of Germany’s aviation week with exhibitions in many cities of models of aeroplanes. It now appears not only that nobody saw the air raiders, but that nobody has even seen the anti-Hitlerite leaflets supposed to have been scattered from the air.

The authorities in Berlin say copies of the leaflets have been filed in various Ministries, but that they are not open to inspection. Captain Goering has decided to order two police aeroplanes immediately, and declares: “We must have defence aeroplanes.” “I had not a single machine, he told the British United Press, “that could be sent aloft yesterday.” The incident, he says, shows how defenceless Germany is, as Communist machines might come over at any time.

The Berlin newspapers were ordered to print prominently on the front pages an official report that “foreign aeroplanes of an unknown type” appeared over Berlin on Saturday and dropped pamphlets insulting the Government. The Air Minister, Captain Goering, said that as the air police did not possess aircraft, several sporting machines pursued them, but could not overtake the intruders. The newspapers were also ordered to publish an official statement strongly protesting about Germany’s defencelessness in the air. The statement adds: ‘‘Pamphlets were dropped to-day. High incendiary bombs may be dropped to-morrow. Why have we no aeroplanes? ’ Nobody seemed to have seen the mystery aeroplanes. Both the air police and aerodrome authorities declared they had no knowledge of them.

AUSTRIAN REQUEST

ARMED DEFENSIVE AIRCRAFT.

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) Vienna, June 25.

While the German Press, is maintaining alarmist propaganda in favour of aerial defence, it is understood, that Austria, as a result of the leaflet “raid” at Linz, is appealing to the allied signatories to the Treaty of St. Germain to support the Austrian request already submitted to the Disarmament Conference for permission to use armed defensive aircraft. FURTHER ARRESTS HUGENBERG MAY RESIGN. SOVIET NOTE REJECTED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Berlin. June 25. The latest arrests are Paul Loebe, ex-President of the Reichstag, and Leuschner, Socialist ex-Ministerfor the Interior, at Hesse, who are charged with derogatory behaviour towards the German delegation to Geneva at Erzine, and the Catholic Deputy ,at Baden, who is charged with allying himself with the opponents of the Government.

It is understood Herr Hugenberg has tendered his resignation to President Hindenburg, who has not yet accepted it. It is stated that Herr Hugenberg argues that his resignation makes the Enabling Act passed in the Reichstag on March 23 invalid, because the Act is limited to the duration of the Cabinet. The Nazis deny this contention, holding that the resignations of Ministers do not affect the powers of Cabinet which are held in Herr Hitler’s name. The first evangelical bishop of the Reich, Di- von Bodelschwing, has resigned following the appointment of Dr Jaeger, of the Ministry of Education, as State Commissioner of all the Protestant churches in Prussia. It is recalled that Dr Bodelschwing was elected in opposition to the Nazi candidate. The Foreign Office bluntly rejected the Soviet Note protesting against the passage of Herr Hugenberg’s memorandum at the London Conference implying that Germany intended to seek territory in Russia for colonization. The Note argued that such a hostile declaration was contradictory to the Russo-German pact of friendship and neutrality. The Foreign Office’s reply was that the memorandum contained nothing to justify a protest. The concentration camps are already crowded, having been swollen by the arrest of hundreds of Socialist leaders, including 120 in Dresden alone, due to the prohibition of the Socialist Party.

HUGENBERG’S CLAIM APPEAL TO PRESIDENT. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) London, June 26. The Berlin correspondent of The Times says that Herr Hugenberg has appealed to the President to support his claim for the fulfilment of solemn constitutional undertakings and requests a decision within ten days. WAR ON COMMUNISM HITLER WANTS BRITISH AID. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 25. Reynolds News publishes a queer story that Herr Hitler aspires to an Anglo-German alliance for the purpose of exterminating Communism. .He is prepared to declare war on Russia and requires British support to secure armaments. He believes the collapse of the Soviet is near. Two of his emissaries in London are sounding the Government whether the visit of Captain Goering will be acceptable. HIGH TREASON ALLEGED NAZIS ARRESTED IN AUSTRIA. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) Vienna, June 25. All Nazi members of the Lower Diet have been arrested on a charge of high treason connected with recent bomb outrages. In most cases little damage was done, but they included an unsuccessful effort to blow up the largest gasometer in Vienna. Sulphuric acid was also dropped in letter boxes and cement on tram lines. The Nazis painted Swastikas in red upon signposts and walls and even on churches.