NAZI ASSASSINS HANGED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19867, 2 August 1934, Page 9

NAZI ASSASSINS HANGED

REVEALED AS GERMAN SUPPORTERS CLOSE OF SENSATIONAL TRIAL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, VIENNA, July 31. Otto Planetta and Franz Holzweber were found guilty of the murder of Dr Dollfuss and high treason, respectively, and sentenced to death. Their petitions for clemency were rejected and they were later hanged. Close of Trial. The Court found Holzweber guilty of high treason as a ringleader of a gang whose only object in bursting into the Chancellery must have been to arouse feelings leading to civil war. Murder was clearly proved in the case of Planetta, experts having shown that his contention that he accidentally fired the second shot was impossible, and that he used a deadly weapon at short range. The Court found the absence of previous convictions a point in favour of the accused. The transcript of the evidence shows that Planetta admitted that there was no question of self-defence. He did not intend to shoot, but someone jogged his arm, the gun went off and Dr. Dollfuss fell. Planetta vainly tried to get a doctor, and then helped to dress the Chancellor’s wounds. Asked to make a final statement before the verdict, Planetta said: “What I have done has been for the country. I am not a cowardly murderer. I did not want to kill as an individual. I am sorry for Dr. Dollfuss, and beg pardon from Frau Dollfuss.” Holzweber declared: "I only participated in the action because I told Dr. Rintelen I would be at the Chancellery, that a new Government had already been formed, and blood would not be shed. I take the responsibility for all I have done and am willing to accept the consequences.” Counsel for the defence in addition to protesting against the Court’s rejection of all his applications, appealed on behalf of Nazism, saying: “I do not accept the new law of treason formulated under the new Constitution. The accused’s ideal can be expressed in one sentence, namely—one people—one Empire, which is the Nazi slogan.” Planetta and Holzweber, unshaven, standing grimly at attention, heard the death sentence without a quiver. The Judge gabbled the sentence inaudibly as if reading a routine message. The accused marched out erect, apparently unmoved, guarded by steel helmeted infantrymen, armed with fixed bayonets and Lewis guns. Shouts of “Hail Hitler.” Holzweber, who was hanged first, affectionately farewelled his wife, saying: “A great cause is at stake; Germany must either become great or perish.” , Both went to the scaSold ip the gallows court, a tiny quadrangle in the comer of Landesgerlch, unpinioned and unblindfolded, the chaplain murmuring spiritual consolation. As the noose was placed round his neck, Holzweber shouted several times loudly enough to be heard throughout the prison "Hail Hitler!” Holzweber was 10 minutes in dying, as the gallows, which was only a noose attached to a plank did not include a neck breaking drop, as in England. Planetta also died crying “Hail Hitler!” The guards outside the prison were doubled during the execution. BRITAIN’S KINDLY GESTURE. REQUIEM MASS AT WESTMINSTER United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 1, 7 p.m. LONDON, August 1. Foreign Office officials represented Mr Stanley Baldwin (Acting Prime Minister) at the Requiem Mass for Dr Dollfuss at Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Bourne officiating. The service was conducted as if the body of Dr Dollfuss rested in the coffin in front of the altar rails. IS GERMANY GUILTY? DAMAGING PROTESTS FROM SWITZERLAND. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August I, 8.50 p.m.) BERLIN, August 1. The Swiss Charge d’Affairs presented a Note strongly protesting against the smuggling of explosives from Germany into Austria through Switzerland. He produced evidence showing much smuggling of explosives and propaganda, and added that one German and two Austrians had been arrested in Switzerland in connection with the traffic. OFFICIAL AUSTRIAN ATTITUDE. GERMAN COMPLICITY ESTABLISHED. Oniteo Press Association—By Elecirn Telegraph CopyrtEhi (Received August 1, 10.50 p.m.) VIENNA, August 1. Herr Adam (Minister of Propaganda) broadcasting, disclosed that the Government had obtained documentary

proof of German complicity in the recent rising. Herr Adam said that a German subject, Franz Heel, of Munich, had been arrested in Upper Silesia on July 25, and he was discovered to possess complete plans for the putsch party, written in cypher and hidden in the soles of his shoes and inside his shirt. The fictitious broadcast of the Government's resignation was to be the signal for the rising and capture of the Chancellery. “WILL TELL ALL HE KNOWS.” THREAT TO EXPOSE GERMANY’S PART. United Press Association—By Eiectrtc Tel egraph —Copyright (Received August 2, 1.35 p.m.) VIENNA, August 1. The court-martial of the other rebels arrested at the Chancellery is not being held to-day. It is stated that Dr. Rintelen is recovering rapidly and that he threatens to tell all he knows. The authorities hope through him to establish a link implicating Germany.