SEQUEL TO SAAR OUTRAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19986, 19 December 1934, Page 9

SEQUEL TO SAAR OUTRAGE

FULLEST INQUIRIES ORDERED PRESENCE OF TROOPS RESENTED British Official Wireless (Received December 18, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 17. The Saarbrucken incident was brought to the notice of the House of Commons by the Opposition Leader, Mr G. Lansbury, who asked for a statement by the Foreign Secretary. Sir John Simon, in replying, explained that the Saar Police Force was under the sole authority of the Saar Governing Commission, upon which continued to rest the primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order in the territory. His Majesty’s Government had, of course, no responsibility either for the recruitment or selection of members of that force. He understood that recruitment abroad for this police force had now ceased, in view of the despatch to the Saar of an international force, which had no connection with the Saar police, but which was placed at the disposal of the Governing Commission for the purpose of maintaining order in case of need. The Governing Commission had issued special instructions for a prompt and thorough investigation, and the police officer concerned had been suspended until the matter was officially 1 cleared up. As the question was still sub judice, Sir John was unable to make any further statement, except to say that, such an incident at this time was exceedingly unfortunate. There was no reason to anticipate political complications, and he emphasised again that neither the International Force nor the British contingent had any connection with the matter whatever. Cabinet Decision. The political correspondent of "The Daily Mail” says: "Cabinet has discussed the Captain Justice incident, and is informing the Saar Commission it favours extreme disciplinary action if the circumstances warrant it. LARGE FORCE ASSEMBLING BRITISH CONTINGENT EN ROUTE British Official Wireless (Received December 18, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 17. The transport of units of the British contingent for the Saar International Force began yesterday, and is continuing to-day. A supply detachment and 20 lorries crossed to Calais yesterday, and signal companies and transports are following. Part of the force will entertain to-morrow for Saarbrucken. Road corps will leave Calais on Wednesday, proceeding towards Lille, and by roads parallel with the old trenches. A Swedish contingent numbering 260, will travel via Berlin and Frankfort, arriving in the Saar on Saturday. PLIGHT OF VICTIMS POLICE QUESTIONING FOLLOWS HOSPITAL RELEASE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 18, 5.5 p.m.) SAARBRUCKEN, December 17. Captain Justice left hospital, with his head bandaged, still suffering slightly from the manhandling. He underwent an hour’s questioning by the chief of the Saar criminal police. The Saar is generally quiet except for smouldering animosity towards the English among certain sections. Lord Aylesford is progressing favourably. Mrs Steig remains in hospital, though her condition is not serious. ANTI-BRITISH CAMPAIGN HOPES OF EARLY SETTLEMENT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 17. The British United Press Saarbrucken correspondent says that the anti-British campaign has started in the Saar, as a result of the attack on Captain Justice. The verbal attacks are directed chiefly against the British, but they are intended for foreigners generally. The Nazi Press is magnifying the incident as much as possible. The agitation is directed against the police, not the British soldiers, who are promised a warm welcome. Some of the hot-headed members of the German Front, however, warn women not to talk to any Britishers, otherwise "something unpleasant will happen.” Saarbrucken is gaily decorated with holly. There is plenty of evidence of Christmas spirit, but little of peace and goodwill owing to the highly-coloured German newspaper accounts. The average Saarlander is now convinced that the British police officer deliberately attacked the Saarlander, and wilfully fired on the crowd. The Nazis forbid women even to smile at the British troops.