GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1924, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

OKR.MAX ML'HDKILS. AUITRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION IIKM LIN, December I. At Hanover, the trial ol Harrman, a butcher, has commenced on a charge of murdering twenty-seven youths in 1018. At that time Harrman was a recruiting agent for the Black lieichswehr. Youths were recruited for service in Fast Russia. No explanation was given of their non-return, but war operations were presumed to have caused their deaths. Recently a nun: her of sculls have been found in a river near Harrman’s bouse. The jxiliee searched and found bloodstained clothing, and later found cut-up bodies. The revolting circumstances have necessitated the trial being held in camera. Harrman is displaying brutal indifference. lie declares that his only wish is to he executed, and then the whole lot will he finished. His counsel, however, is pleading mental irresponsibility. BERLIN, December 5. At Hanover there was unprecedented interest in flarrman’s trial. The man has been in gaol for fifteen out of J 5 years, lie seemed a long immunity from arrest because he acted as a spy on the Hanover police. His victims were aged from. 18 to 22 years. He waylaid them at the railway station, and decoyed them to his miserable garret, overlooking the River Seine, where lie strangehl the victims during the night.

One hundred and ninety witnesses nro attending the trial. They were searched for arms before tliev were admitted, as the authorities were told that some of the youths’ relatives intended to si von "c themselves on Ifarrmnn.