VOTE IN SAAR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 93, 14 January 1935, Page 9

VOTE IN SAAR

Result to be Announced on Tuesday ALL QUIET IN AREA Excitement Runs High, But No Trouble Seen *. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Saarbruflien, January 11. It is officially announced that the result of the plebiscite will be declared at 8 o’clock on the morning of January 15. ; The results of the plebiscite will be * broadcast in German, French and English from Wartburg Hall, as they are received from the S 3 districts, and finally the total vote on each of the three"alternatives will be given. It is hoped that this will keep many Saarlanders at home instead of roamir: the streets. The results are being relayed to foreign stations. The reason for announcing the result of the Saar plebiscite at 8 a.in. on January 15 is . tc ‘ discourage anticipated demonstrations by dissatisfied voters, which naturally» would be more difficult to restrain if they occurred on Monday night when it was originally intended to proclaim the result. German Front newspapers offer a conciliatary “pardon” to all opponents who return to Germany or who even now may join the organisation. The German Front has instructed all supporters to decorate their houses with garlands and illuminations on Saturday night so that every German house will be recognisable. The opposition countered the move by asking its supporters to do the same. Despite the tension all is quiet iu the .Saar to-night. A few minor clashes in outlying districts occurred during the day. Nine special trains which brought 10,000 Saarlanders from Germany will be followed to-moi'row t by 36 specials bringing the remainder of 48,000 voters. No special arrangement has be/n made to bring 6500 voters residing in France. Pro-German priests, both Homan Catholic and Protestant, have arranged special services for Saturday night. A later message states that snow is falling heavily, assisting the police to maintain order. Excitement is running high, but indications point to everything passing off calmly. POLLING DAY ARRIVES Ushered in by Bonfires SIDELIGHTS FROM TERRITORY (Received January 13, 11.55 p.m.) Saarbnicken, January 13. On the eve of the plebiscite there Was no serious outbreak of trouble. Brutal attacks by supporters of. the status quo continue in isolated regions. Snow has fallen continuously for 24 hours accompanied by bitter winds, which are favourable to a quiet poll, but adds to the difficulties of m.otoriorries driven by the international troops, which will bring in the ballotboxes from the outlying districts.. Polling day was ushered iu to-night picturesquely with huge bonfires lighting up the snow-covered countryside. Meantime, church bells on both sides of the German frontier pealed out. A surprise order was issued to-night forbidding the publication of any newspaper or the distribution of handbills on polling day. More surprising still for a Continental country is that the Saar until Wednesday has gone semidry. Only wine and beer may be served, and then only during certain hours. The sale of spirits is forbidden. The “Sunday Express” points out that this is probably the most expensive election ever held. The costs include hundreds of special trains from , Germany, the expenses of voters from every part of the world, and the heavy campaigning costs, particularly of the German Front, including 26 Nazi newspapers all run at a loss. The total is estimated to work out at £2 for each vote cast. A majority for a return to Germany everywhere is taken for granted, but it is admitted iu Germany that unless the majority is overwhelming it will be a rebuff.for Hitler, because the real issue iu the Saar has become love of Germany against hatred of Hitler. CONSULTED BY LEAGUE Germany Had Agreed With Preliminaries BUT NO FORMAL PART (British Oilicial Wireless./ , Rugby, January 11. The inquiry made by the British Ambassador in Berlin, with the concurrence of the French and Italian Governments, as to whether Germany would be represented at the League Council meeting on Saar plebiscite matters, is consistent with the procedure adopted at other stages since, in January, 193-1, the Saar was first on the Council Agenda. As on the present occasion, Germany has “for reasons of principle” declined to take part formally in such discussions, but the decisions on all essential matters have throughout had her acquiescence, and usually her assent. It is noteworthy that, although the Saar annex to the Versailles Treaty requires only a majority decision, the Council has acted only on unanimity decisions. Initial contact between the German Government and the Council’s Committee of Three was affected at the request of Mr. Knox by Herr von Papen, Commissioner for the Saar, and the Committee’s first comprehensive report in June, 1934, fixing the date of the plebiscite and making-proposals for its conduct, contained official notes from the French and German Governments, undertaking to refrain from reprisals or discrimination against voters. In September the German Government instructed their Minister in Berne to maintain touch with the Committee, and in November German experts were sent to Rome to confer with the French and League experts on financial and economic matters requiring settlement. The German Government’s undertaking respecting the immunities of nonvoters and the protection of minorities were embodied, with other matters, in the Committee’s last report to the Council in December, and it was with the