Anti-British Feeling

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19453, 18 December 1934, Page 7

Anti-British Feeling

CAMPAIGN IN SAAR. CAPTAIN JUSTICE INCIDENT. MAGNIFIED BY NAZI PRESS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. i (Received Dec. 18, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 17. The British United Press’ Saarbrucken correspondent says an antiBritish campaign has started in the Saar area as the result of the Captain Justice incident. 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 and hot the British soldiers, who are promised a warm welcome. Some 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 the Christmas spirit, but little “ peace and goodwill ” owing to the highlycoloured German newspaper accounts. The average Saarlander is now convinced that British police officers deliberately attacked a Saarlander and wilfully fired on the crowd. The Nazis forbid women even to smile at the British troops.

QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. GOVERNMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE. (Official Wireless.) (Received Dec. 18, 12.45 p.m.) ■ RUGBY, Dec. 17. The Saarbrucken incident was brought to the notice of the House of Commons by the Opposition leader, Mr George 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 maintenance of law and order in the territory.

His Majesty’s Government had, of course, no responsibility either for the recruitment or seleotlon

of tho 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, Avhich 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 speolal Instructions for a

prompt and thorough Investigation of the episode, and the police officer oonccrne,d had been suspended until the matter has been

officially cleared up. - As the question was still subjudice, Sir John Simon said he was unable to make any further, statement, except that wherever the" blame might he found to be, 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 no* the British contingent had any connection whatever with the matter.