MURDER OF NAZI LEADER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20335, 6 February 1936, Page 9

MURDER OF NAZI LEADER

SEQUEL TO WAR ON JEWS GERMAN INDIGNATION AROUSED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ZURICH, February 4. Wilhelm Gustloff, a German subject, leader of the Swiss Nazis, was assassinated to-day at his home at Davos. He was struck by five bullets. The alleged assassin, David Frankfurter (26), a Jugo-Slavian medical student, surrendered to the police, stating that he broke into Gustloff’s home and committed the murder, because of his hatred of the Nazis. Tire Swiss Socialists repeatedly asked for the expulsion of Gustloff, alleging that he was not only a Nazi leader, but an agent provocateur. He formerly published a German newspaper in Switzerland, which was suppressed in retaliation for the German ban on certain Swiss newspapers.

OPPOSITION TO NAZISM PROBABLE MOTIVE FOR CRIME United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received February 5, 5.5 p.m.) ZURICH, February 4. Frankfurter, who is reported to be a Jew, abandoning his hat ran to the police station, brandishing a revolver at a passer-by, who tried to stop him. He told the police he never mixed in politics. No motive has been advanced for the crime except resentment at the German system. Gustloff is reported to have abused Swiss hospitality in conspiring to recapture German refugees. Police Account of Shooting The police state that Frankfurter went to Gustloff’s house, explaining that he wanted to discuss important business. Frau Gustloff showed him in to the drawing room where her husband was shot immediately he entered. Frankfurter says he is not a Communist and that he committed the murder on his own initiative. INSPIRED BY VENGEANCE United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received February 5, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. The Basle correspondent of “The Times” says that Frankfurter told the police that his crime was an act of vengeance for the Jewish race. Festivities Stopped The murder of Gustloff caused dancing to be stopped at a reception given by Baron von Neurath to 1500 guests at the Hotel Kaiserhof in Berlin.

HITLER’S CONDOLENCES DEEPEST INDIGNATION IN GERMANY United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received February 5, 10.45 p.m.) BERLIN, February 5. Herr Hitler telegraphed his condolences to Gustloff’s widow in the name of the whole German people. Herr Hitler says: “The abominable crime, Which ended the life of a true German, has caused the deepest indignation throughout the nation.” Nazi-leaders and newspapers are using the murder for more intensive antlJewish propaganda. “Tire Volkischer Beobachter” says: “If the Nazi attitude towards the Jews needed any justification, this* shameful act supplied it. This murder was made possible only by the atmosphere of hatred and envy of Germany created by the Jews.” Herr Hitler’s deputy, Herr Hess, also telegraphed to Gustloff’s widow, referring to her husband as one of Herr Hitler’s oldest supporters.