GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1926, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

MUllDEli MYSTERY. [Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] BERLIN. Aug. 5. The Helling murder case has developed into a political situation. (Helling, ■who was cashier of Herr Haas, a Magdelburg magnate and a Jew, was murdered, and Haas was suspected ot procuring men to murder him, owing to fear of income tax fraud exposure). The German newspapers are .devoting pao-ei to the case, which has become an astounding battle between the Monarchists and the Republicans, with an infusion of Jew-baiting that recalls the Drevfu.s affair. Before the investigation into Helling’s death had gone far, it was revealed that Sehroeder, who is Haas’s chief accuser, was a member of secret Nationalist societies, including the well-known. Steel Helmet

Corps. Instantly the Nationalist press mobilised against the wealthy Jew. The police and judge were so generous to Schroeder that the Prussian Ministry of Justice suspended the local police, on the ground of incompetence, and sent Commissioners to enquire into the attitude of Judge Tvoelling, who was obviously against Haas. The arrest of Schroeder’s fiancee was effected (and she revealed the contents of'life letters from prison to her). Her arrest was due to the Prussian State Attorney and was arranged without Judge Txoelling s knowledge. There was an unexpected development in the case. The police took Schvoeder back to his shabby room, and reconstructed the crime. Then they read his letter written from gaol to hi* fiancee, in which he told her what to say if questioned by the police. Finally Schroeder broke down, and confessed that he had hilled Helling because he needed money. The Judge, however, still refuses to release Haas.