GERMAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1922, Page 2

GERMAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLfc ASSOblATldlf# GERMAN MONARCHISTS. ; LONDON, Oct. 13. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent states: — An analysis sliows that the chocolates, which were sent' to the Leipzig prisoners, charged with Dr Rathenau* the German Foreign Minister’s murder, contained arsenic. t It is assumed that the prisoner who received them was a member of the secret society which organised Dr Rathenau’s murder. Ernest Tecliow, one prisoner, broke • down under a dramatic eross-examina-i tion by the President of the court, who i warned Ernest that lie was liable to ! the death penalty, arid asked him, for ■ the sake of his mother, to tell the truth.

Ernest confessed that he took part in the murder, and did so because he gave his word of honour to Kern. He sa id ; “If I had refused, Kern would have shot me.” Ernest burst info tears as be repeated:—Kern said: “If you refuse to help, I will shoot you down.” Ernest continued -.—“Everybody belonging to the society has to obey oiders.” AN ACQUITTAL LIKELY. BERLIN, Oct. 13. A pathetic episode oecrred during the closing scenes at the trial of Dr Rathenau’s murderers. The defending counsel read a letter, which the aged mother of Dr Rathenau wrote to the mother of Ernest Techow, against whom the Public Prosecutor is demanding the death sentence. Frau Rathenau wrote:—“ln indescribable pain, I stretch out a hand to you, the most miserable of all women. Tell your son I pardon him, in the name and in the spirit of his victim. May God pardon him if he makes full confession to earthly judges and awaits the'divine judge with contrition. If your boy had known my son, the noblest creature who walked the earth sooner than turn a deadly weapon against him, he would have turned it against himself, May these words bring peace to your soul.” Tears were in the eyes of the judges as the letter was read. Afterwards Techow, when asked if he had anything to say replied:—“l have told the Court the truth. I /greatly reproach myself for my action, and I await the the court’s just punishment.”

It is expected that the appeal to this. Court’s feeling will be successful. Three out of the nine judges have already declared that they will not vote for the death penalty. Seven out of the nine must agree to a capital sentence under the German Law.

GENEK A L UINDENBURG. BERLIN, Oct. 14

■According to the “Vossische Zeitung” General Hindenburg acquiesced to the Nationals and Peoples parties request to become a candidate for the presidency.