The Saar Episode

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19452, 17 December 1934, Page 10

The Saar Episode

ACCOUNT BY EYE-WITNESS

A MENACING CROWD. WOMAN ONLY SLIGHTLY HURT. AUTHORITIES PERTURBED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Dec. 17, 2.30 p.m.) , LONDON, Dec. 16. .The British United Press Saarhrucken correspondent says that Fraulein Katy Braun, a local girl, has given the Saar Commission a detailed report of the Captain Justice affair. She says:

“ Captain Justice was driving me home from a night club. Earl Aylesford occupied the 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 a woman but they only threatened Captain Justice, whereupon he explained that lie 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."

The girl said she grabbed Captain Justice’s revolver hand, or more people might have been shot. She added: "I think the attackers were Nazis; I am a Nazi myself and a : member of the German Front."

The latesV-,lnformation says the Woman knocked down was only slightly hurt. The incident has caused the Commission much perturbation and Mr Geoffrey Knox, the president, of the Saar Governmental Commission, spent the day soothing the ugly feelings which unfortunately have arisen on the eve of the arrival of the British contingent. I

CAPTAIN JUSTICE’S STORY. STRUCK ON THE HEAD. POLICE CLEAR UP THE SHOW. (Received Dec. 17, 2.30 p.m.) SAARBRUCKEN, Dec. 16. Captain Justice, interviewed* in- the hospital, admitted that his car ran aver the woman’s foot, and also knocked a man over without hurting 'him. He added: “When the crowd became menacing I drew my gun. Someone struck me on the head, upon which I fired into the ground in order to frighten them. Someone then tried to seize the revolver, which went off again and just scratched somebody’s skin. The crowd then knocked me unconscious. The police cleared up the show.”

Herr Dietmann, deputy-leader of the Deutschfront, while willing to regard the incident as accidental, requests a prevention of the recurrence. Extent of Injuries. It is now learned that/the Injuries to Captain Justice who is an ex-mem-ber of the South African police, are confined to cuts and bruises. The car struck Mrs Steig who was walking with her husband, necessitating first aid. The bystanders, including members of the Deutschfront, became hostile and called others from an adjacent restaurant, until 40 menacing Nazis surrounded Captain Justice, who produced papers,' establish-, ing his identity as a police officer. He asked the crowd to disperse. They refused, manhandling the Earl of Aylesford. Captain Justice then threatened them with his revolver, which several attempted to seize. Two shots were fired. One superficially hit an electrician, Neumeisterer, in the stomach.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

INVESTIGATION PROMISED. CAPTAIN JUSTICE SUSPENDED. NO POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE. (Received Dec. 17, 2.30 p.m.) SAARBRUCKEN,, Dec. 16. Mr Geoffrey Knox, President of the Governmental Commission, officially states: “A car driven by a police officer, when attempting lo turn a corner, drove on to the pavement, injuring one person. A crowd assembled and threatened three passengers, especially the officer, who was driving. A free tight followed. Several shots were fired. One. person was injured. “ The police officer who was injured by blows, was admitted to the 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 is not a member of the regular forces.