GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE ERHARDT CASE. PRINCESS ON TRIAL. BERLIN, July 23. At Leip-zig the trial has begun of Princess Marguerite Hoheiiloho Erhinger (whose arrest was cabled on July 17th) on a charge of sheltering Captain Ivrhardt after the Kapp coup, and of perjury in swearing that he was unknown to her. The evidence showed the Princess l>ocame acquainted with Erhardt when his regiment was quartered on her father’s estate in Upper Silesia. Erhardt was then a popular idol, lie easily captured her affections. After the Kapp coup, Erhardt took refuge in Munich. The Princess, visiting relatives, met him there.

The Princess gave evidence that Erhardt produced naturalisation papers in the name of Esehwege, and said: “Er han’t is dead. lam Echwoge. Anyone questioned about me can truthfully say: 1 don’t know Erhardt!”

The Princess, sobbing, described how a-- a Catholic, she had struggled with her conscience before agreeing to shelter Erhardt in a villa outside Munich, which she bought, subletting a part to Herr Hugo Esehwege. The Princess admitted swearing before an examining magistrate that she did not know Esehwege was Erhardt. She only broke her oath to Erhardt- when he was arrested, and had admitted his identity. The president of the Court remarked : ‘‘Princess, you are to he pitied! \on wore shamefully treated by this man.' PROBLEM OF THE MARK. BERLIN. July 23.

A truly amazing position has been readied in Germany in regard to the issue of marks. The number actually manufactured is hardly known from day to day. The Reichsbank alone manufactures fourteen million separate notes daily, carrying from tlu> one thousand mark to the half million mark denominations. The lowest note printed is one thousand marks, valued al one farthing, simultaneously, there are 40 private printing works under contract to print. These are working three shifts, so the flood never ceases for a minute. Paradoxically, the less a mark purchases, the more purchasing is done. Though the end is inevitable, it is not yet dimly apparent. The railway fares have been quintupled without affecting travel. Last week tho Govciuliicnt had to multiply the taximeter by fifteen thousand, now it is multiplied by twonty-tive thousand.

GERMAN GOLD RESERVE. BERLIN. July 21. The Reichsbank report shows a gold reserve cf £20.000,000. a little more than half the amount held at the beginning of the year.