GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1925, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

[“The Times” Service. J

GERMAN SCUTTLING VICTIMS (Received this day at 9 a.in.)

LONDON. March 28

Workmen who were engaged breaking up a salvaged German destroyer at Scape Flow found five bodies ol Germans; but it is not determined whether they are officers or sailors. This is the first indication that the Germans had any casualties during the scuttling of the surrendered licet. Conjectures are that the victims had insufficient warning. Another theori is that they were teds left to their fate.

The “Sunday Express” Aberdeen correspondent says' fragments ol clothing indicate that the Soapa Flowvictims were officers and he advances the theory that they were massacred bv the Reds.

TWO MURDERERS EXECUTED BERLIN. March 28.

There were extraordinary incidents aj 'Essen during the executions of twio murderers, Or pic and, (laruga. Orpic spent two hours in an elaborate toilette, and dressed as for a wedding. When he mounted the scaffold in the presence ot several thousand spectators he obtained permission to address them. He said : “I am only 2-1. Until now 1 have never been nr rested, I am going to my death, aslc all /Whom I have wronged for their pardon. God bless you!” Tie trap in Orpic’i* case tailed to work the first time, and the operation had to be repeated. Citrttga, n few minutes later, mounted the scaffold alul he listened calmly to a- priest’s exhortations, which lie occasionally interrupted, and conrbeoitfdv expressed a difference <of opinion. Then with the noose affixed, smiling to a friend in the crowd, the next instant he was hanged.