M'MAHON’S STORY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 September 1936, Page 5

M'MAHON’S STORY

ABOUT FOREIGN POWER PRESS SCEPTICAL. Free a Association Eleetrio/PelnvrapV,— Conrright LONDON, Tuesday. The Press . Association states on re* liable authority, name McMahon wrote was that of the German Embassy. When the report was referred to an authoritative quarter, the only comment was: “Does anyone really take this seriously?”

Mr Kerstein, McMahon’s solicitor, told the “Daily Herald”: “The Power concerned is Germany. I informed the authorities of this plot after hearing a,bout it from McMahon while he was in' prison. Following my reports, the EjLeRI’’B 1 ’’ 8 French holiday was cancelled, and I»>. e went to Eastern Europe instead. Secret Service men verified many of MeMate.u’s statements. Several officers were subpoenaed to give evidence, but were n'ot called. Meanwhile the question of the King’s safety is being considered.-"’

In a leader, the “Daily Telegraph” says: “McMahon’s story bears every mark of improbability. The notion that any interest of a foreign Power would be furthered by the assassination of a British Monarch could only be born of a. diseased mind. Policemen on the scene are worthy of all praise for their promptitude in handling an alarming situation, but it is plain front the trial that a little more official perspicacity would have saved McMahon from folly and avoided public alarm.” “The Times” says: “No Englishman will be inclined to .conyict. a foreign Power of'plotting against the King’s life on evidence such as McMahon’s. McMahon is evidently part Of the economic wreckage of the day, an intellectual and moral weakling, broken by unemployment and nursing grievances until they become blind rancour against society. ’ ’ APPEAL LODGED. ALLEGED MISDIRECTION. (Received Wednesday, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, Tuesday. McMahon is appealing, mainly on the grounds of the Judge’s alleged misdirection in pointing out to the jury that McMahon’s story was told at the Old Bailey for the first time, whereas there was unchallenged evidence that he told the same story at the War Office months previously.