NAZIS’ VIOLENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1935, Page 5

NAZIS’ VIOLENCE

CHARGES BY REFUGEES

MOST PITIFUL SPECTACLE

ARRIVALS FROM THE SAAR

THOUSANDS TRY TO LEAVE

PREPARATIONS IN FRANCE

By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. Rec. 11 p.m. London, Jan. 18. Refugees from the Saar at Saareguemines present a most pitiful spectacle of despair. They are silent till they cross the frontier, but then they excitedly discuss intimidatory acts. They declare that two Communists named Michtenburg and Mattheu were beaten to death at Neunkirchew and that the face of another anti-Nazi was beaten to a pulp, salt being rubbed into the wounds. . _ . Thousands are applying to the JJrencn Consul at Saarbrucken for visas. Ma,ny Without money must be provided for. The Paris newspaper Figaro says toey ■ will be- regarded as citizens of the League of Nations and the money spent on them will be regarded as an advance by France to the League, which will be responsible for their final destination. Possibly a strip of territory in one of the French colonies will be allotted the refugees. The flight of all classes of refugees to France is increasing daily, _ including I many Jews. The French frontier guards are turning back those not possessing French visas. Many of the poor who spent the night at border stations and barracks were fed by soldiers. Several related acts of terrorism by Hitler supporters. ...... The French mines administration building at Sulzbach was invaded by a hundred, men, women and children who were afraid to remain in their homos, fearing Nazi violence. German Front leaders declare that they will not harm any one. Nevertheless Communists and Socialists are convinced that the present calm is a prelude to a storm which will shortly burst over the anti-Hitlerites. . . M. Pierre Laval, French Prime Minister, in addressing the Council of the League said France accepted the decision of the Saar people, but interpreted Herr Hitler’s broadcast speech on the day of the plebiscite as meaning that there would be no reprisals on lives or property. If the refugees became an international problem France would receive them in the spirit of humanity, but France would not fail to submit the matter to the League Council. The Council concluded by authorising an amnesty to people imprisoned during the plebiscite campaign. Mr. Geoffrey Knox, chairman of the Saar Governing Commission, was present at the League Council meeting and suggested the pardon. Mr. Knox’s hair has become greyer In the last few months. He said: “It has been a long business. I must say I feel somewhat tired. I have not the faintest idea where I shall go after March.” Herr Nietmann, German Front leader in the Saar, has issued an ultimatum that if Mr. Knox’s deputy, Herr Beimurger, Minister of the Interior, does not resign Herr Neitmann will not be answerable for his safety, states the Daily Mail’s Saarbrucken correspondent This indicates possibilties underlying the present calm. Others have reason to fear a lapse from the discipline which Herr Hitler enjoined.