CHARGE OF TREASON.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 7

CHARGE OF TREASON.

TRIAL STIRS EUROPE. GERMAN COMMUNIST PARTY. „ . ccn Flor Tr], Copvrtght. United Press \s>n. B kr L ix, Aug. 22. Being anxious to 'See and talk with Ihe former leader of me German Communist Parly, Bn* »“lmann, whose imprisonment lot two jeais wilhout a trial on a charge of treason has stirred Europe, a group ot American, French, Belgian and Spanish delegates lo llie Penal Congress visited the Moabit prison to-day. All the delegates were allowed to do was to watch Thaelmann from a window two storeys above him as he came in sight, exercising in the prison officials asked the visitors not to allow Thaelmann to sec them as he had received 100 many such visits and objected.. They refused the delegates’ request to see' Thaelmann in his cell and said he wished lo he let alone. The visitors were shown the cell where a newspaper and a half-smoked pipe were lying on a bed. These were pointed out as evidence of good treatment.

The delegates were told that the delay over the trial was due lo the defence asking for time to obtain and study documents. The officials said that Thaelmann's lawyer, who lived In Hamburg, had been proffered the name of an official appointed by the State to assist in the defence.

The delegates visited this official, who said the defence had received the case only two months ago. He refused to give information concerning the charges, but said the trial probably would be held in October and would last a fortnight.