GERMAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1922, Page 3

GERMAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. german assassination. DR RATHENAU the VICTIM. BERLIN, June 24. Dr Rathenau has been assassinated. He held the portfolio °f Foreign Minister in the Cabinet, and played the leadimr part in the latest negotiations between Germany and the Allies over the indemnity.

Dr Rathenau, was assassinated near his home, at Grunewald, a suburb. He was proceeding to a Cabinet meeting in n. car, which was followed by another car. When reducing speed, near a corner, two men in the second car fired leu shots with a revolver and threw a grenade. Dr Rathenau fell and -died immediately. The assassins sped away unrecognised. The news caused a sensation in Berlin. Several Cabinet Ministers burst into tears. The Cabinet meeting was abandoned. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) BERLIN, June 25 Dr Rathenau resided in a quiet suburb, consequently there were only a few spectators of'the murder. Several young men in a powerful car rapidly overhauled Rathenau. The occupants were disguised with motoring goggles, and leather caps pulled well down. Three shots went through the victim’s head lower. His jaw was practically shot away, also a bullet through tho arms and chest, while the grenade lacerated the lower portion of the body 1+ is a significant fact that Dr Escherisch, the notorious organiser of the Orgesch Secret Monarchist Society airived in Berlin from Bavaria on Thursday with numerous attendants and quitted IJerlin secretly on Saturday.

RATHENAU’S INJURIES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, June 24

A grenade blew off Dr Rathenau’s left leg. He died i" the arms of a housemaid, who ran out "lien the <*u drew up to the kerb after the shots were fired. Herr Wdrth states the murder is likely to cause grave internal troubles. “Others have been threatened. T am certain I shall be the next victim.” During the scene in the Reichstag, General Scheuch, a former War Minister, was severely assaulted after making unsympathetic remarks about Hathen au, Scheuch escaping by retreating on his hands and knees, under the re. porters table. Both wings of the Socialists Party are to hold demonstrations in Berlin on ( Sunday, as a protest against the as- ; sassination. A general strike for twenty four hours has been proclaimed. BERLIN, June 25.

The police offer a. rgward of a million marks for information resulting in the arrest of Rathenau’s murderer. LLOYD GEOROE’S TRIBUTE. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 25. Mr Lloyd George speaking at the Welsh Baptist Chapel said Dr. R-athe-nau was one of the ablest Ministers in Europe. He had been doing his best to restore, the good relations Iretwecn his ' country and other nations, which had been wronged. That is why he was murdered. The Premier expressed the deepest horror at the outrage and trusted Germany would not. suffer from the wrong the assassins had inflicted" upon her. j BERLIN, June 25. The assassins showed a high degree of organisation and careful preparations for the crime. The Reichstag paid a touching tribute to Dr Rathenau whose aim was universal conciliation. Ho died not only for the cause of the German people, but of all mankind. SCENE IN REICHSTAG. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, June 24. | Amazing scenes were witnessed in the Reichstag when the news of Dr Hathenau’s assassination was conveyed "to Deputies. When Helfferich whoyesterday bitterly attacked Rathenau on tha Wiesbaden debt arirved in the (Reichstag with other members .of the German National Party, a crowd of infuriated members attacked them. Blows were freely exchanged and books and rulers were used n.s missiles. The Nationalists were driven ignominiously from the Chamber, after practically all of them had suffered injury. Bernstein, of the Left, seized Heffrerich by the throat, shook him violently and shouted: “You are the assassin, you are the murderer.” Government declined to declare martial Iw in Berlin and a Nationalist mass meeting was forbidden.

Herr Wirtli expressed the Government’s regret at the outrage. Dittraann declared he had proof that the assassination was intended as a signal for a monarchist upheaval.

12 MONTHS OMD STATEMENT. GERMANY AND THE AVAR BKOXEII’S TELEORAMS. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) 1 NEW YORK, June 24. Hawkins, a New York journalist in- • terviewed Or Rathcnau a year ago. A statement was given conditionally that publietion should not take place until after his death. Cowardice caused the war, said Rathenau. The Kaiser rattled his sword until he had frightened himself and all his Ministers out of their normal judgment. Bethmeu.it, Hollwegg and Ministers sat all night in fear and trembling, hoping and praying the Czar would succumb to tlu> terms of the ultimatum and they would ' escape the disaster into "which cowardice had led them. The policy of frightfulness was the policy of cowardice. Tt waa the policy of a man afraid, who makes a. great noise in the elfort to frighten the enemy, hoping he may avoid fighting. All Germany knows this and there is no danger of the Kaiser ever returning to Berlin. The German people have forever been cured of royalty.

AVIRTH’S HARANGUE. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) BERLIN. .Tune 25. Herr Wirtli concluded:—“AVoe to them who interrupted Rntlienau’s work. This great man with a child’s heart had many deadly foes who aimed at his life. The German people must settle with those arch enemies of the Republic. No Republican or Democrat ever perpetrated such an outrage against the Monarchists, who continue fo provoke plots, backed with ample

financial support. The murderers are paid and protected by them. Herr Wirth, in a voice of anger concluded:—Gentlemen of the Right, the methods you practised' until now cannot be allowed to continue.” His utterances evoked great enthusiasm.

FRENCH COMMENT. TReceived this day at 9.50 a.m.) PARIS, June 25

The newspapers see in Dr Rathenau’s murder striking evidence of the dangerous reaction against a German Republic. One of its sturdiest defenders disappears in Dr Rathenau. Some papers aver" the way is now cleared for Herr Stinnes, supported by big business men and financiers to realise his dual object of a restoration of the Monarchy, and vengeance.