NAZI EXCESSES IN THE SAAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19985, 18 December 1934, Page 9

NAZI EXCESSES IN THE SAAR

ASSAULT ON BRITISH OFFICER SPIRIT OF RESENTMENT REVEALED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SAARBRUCKEN, December 16. Captain James Justice, a British special police officer, after spending an evening at a cafe in civilian clothes, with other officers was driving home at 3 o’clock in the morning, accompanied by two friends, including Earl Aylesford, when the tyre burst. The car skidded, mounted the pavement and injured a woman. An angry crowd attacked Captain Justice and Lord Aylesford, of whose identity they were unaware, with sticks and stones. Cuptain Justice fired a revolver in self-defence, wounding a person in the stomach, although not seriously. The victim was sent to hospital. Crowd Retaliate. The crowd retaliated beating and kicking Captain Justice, who was admitted to hospital in a serious condition. It is believed he is suffering from a fractured skull. Lord Ayjesfdrd states: “I don’t know how it started. I saw a crowd beating Captain Justice, and I went to help him. The next thing I knew I received a blow on the face/’ The chauffeur of another car says: “I saw the crowd set about Captain Justice. They were merciless. Captain Justice was hit and kicked on the head, end his face was covered with blood.” The incident caused intense excitement throughout the Saar. REPORT OF OUTRAGE GRAVE ATTACK ON ENGLISH OFFICER LONDON, December 16. The Saarbrucken correspondent of the British United Press says: Katy Braun, a local girl, has given the Saur Commission a detailed report of the attack on Captain Justice. She says: “Captain Justice was driving me home from a night club. Lord Aylesford occupied thef back seat. Captain Justice was sober, and capable of managing the car, but not noticing the number, he drove past my house. In turning round, he backed the car on to the pavement, knocking down a woman, who screamed. A number of men leaving a cafe, advanced on Captain Justice menacingly. Captain Justice apologised for knocking down the woman. They only threatened Captain Justice whereupon he explained that he was a police officer and drew a revolver. This infuriated the crowd and somebody hit Captain Justice a terrific blow on the head, shouting ‘What do you mean, you dirty pig of an Englishman.’ She grabbed Captain Justice's revolver hand, or more people might have been shot. I think the attackers were Nazis. I am a Nazi myself, and a member of the German Front.” Concern in the Saar The latest information says that the woman knocked down was only slightly hurt. The incident caused the Commission much perturbation. Mr G. G. Knox spent to-day soothing the ugly feelings, which have unfortunately arisen on the eve of the arrival of the British contingent. ALLEGATIONS OF BAD BEHAVIOUR REPORT ON CLUB LIFE United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received December 17, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. The Saarbrucken correspondent of “The Daily Mail” says that the night club visited by Captain Justice and his companions was the scene of wild hilarity during their presence. Prince Lowenstein stated that the conduct of Captain Justice and another police officials was so outrageous that Prince Lowenstein and his half-brother, Count von Alvensleben, despite the lateness of the hour, decided to report the matter to Mr Geoffrey Knox (chairman of the Saar Governing Commission) to avoid a greater scandal, but en route to Mr Knox's house, they met a police officer and told him. He thanked hem and went to the night club. NO SIGNIFICANCE attitude of german official CIRCLES United Press Association--By Electric Telegraph-Copyright (Received December 18. 1.30 a.m.) BERLIN, December 17. Official circles, while regretting the Saarbrucken incident, emphasise that it has no political significance. The officials expect a thorough investigation and the punishment of the culprit. OFFICIAL REPORT ISSUED SAAR COMMISSIONER’S STATEMENT United Press Association—By Electric, Telegraph—Copyright SAARBRUCKEN, December 16. Mr G. G. Knox (head of the Saar Governing Commission) offiially states: “A car driven by a police office, attempting to turn a corner, drove on to the pavement, injur-

ing one person. A crowd assembled and threatened the three passengers, especially the officer, who was driving. A free fight followed. Several shots were fired and one person was injured. The police officer was injured by blows and admitted to hospital. The police will investigate and report and a court of inquiry will be held. The aggressor will be dealt with with full severity, and without consideration for status. The police officer will be deprived of his rank until the matter is cleared up.” Officials consider that no political importance attaches to the incident and emphasise that Captain Justice was not a member of the regular forces. Details of Accident It is now learned that the injuries to Captain Justice, who is an exmember of the South African police, are confined to cuts and bruises. The car struck Mrs Steig, who was walking with her husband, her injuries necessitating first aid. Bystanders including members of the Deutchfront, became hostile and called others from an adjacent restaurant, until 40 menacing Nazis surrounded Captain Justice, who producing papers establishing his identity as a police officer, asked the crowd to disperse. They refused, manhandling Lord Aylesford. Interview With Victim Captain Justice threatened them with a revolver, which several attempted to seize. Two shots were fired. One superficially hit an electrician, Neumeisterer, in the stomach.

Captain Justice, interviewed in hospital, admitted that the car ran over a woman's foot, and also knocked a man over without hurting him. He added: “When the crowd became menacing I drew a gun. Somebody ‘socked’ me on the head, upon which I fired into the ground in order to frighten them. Someone then tried to seize tile revolver, which went off, and again just scratched somebody’s skin. The crowd then knocked me unconscious, and the police cleared up the show.”

Herr Dielmann, deputy leader of the Deutchsfront, while willing to regard the incident as accidental, requests the prevention of a recurrence.