REICHSTAG FIRE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 26 September 1933, Page 5

REICHSTAG FIRE

TRIAL OF ACCUSED. “A MONSTROUS CHARGE.” (Received Tuesday, 10.25 a.m.) ■ ' BERLIN, Monday.’ At the Leipzig trial, Van der Lubbe, despite his having broken his fast, is still deathly pale, and seemed- wholly disinterested in the proceedings. Taneff, a shoemaker, admitted that he had been twice sentenced in his absence to 124 years’ imprisonment for Communist activities in Bulgaria, but was grantod an amnesty. Torgler, receiving permission to make a speech in answer to the indictment, announced, in ringing tones: “I am completely innocent. I had nothing to do with the fire, directly or indirectly. I surrendered the day after the fire to defend myself against this monstrous charge. I fought in prison for seveli months to prove my innocence, For five months T whs kept, day and night, in chains. I did not endure this torture because I was strong bodily; but because of the consciousness of my innocence and the determination to vindicate my party. Van der Lubbe, re-examined, listlessly answered questions regarding his movements the week before the . fire. Asked whether he told welfare, officers that it would be necessary to fire public buildings to provoke the Storm Troopers and inflame the public, he replied: ‘ ‘ Possibly. ”