GERMAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1928, Page 2

GERMAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) THE ZINOA'IEFF LETTER. RERUN, Jan. 29. A Leipzig message states the famous Zinovielf letter, which figured in the last general election in Britain cropped ii]i at the resumption of the trial of Sehoreck (cabled lltli January). Karl Mortens, a German Fascist, living at Geneva as a political fugitive, who was granted a safe conduct and immunity from arrest in order to attend, created a sensation by giving evidence that a Polish spy, Paciorkovski forged the Zinovielf letter. Scliereck was living at the same boarding-house as the Pole and he helped to draw up the letter, while committing his own forgeries. EX-KAISER’S BIRTHDAV. BERLIN. Jan. 28. Kven less attention than ever was paid to the ex-Kaiser’s sixty-ninth birthday yesterday. Only the most oiit-qioken Monarchist papers alluded to the event. The “Deutsche Tageszeitung” paid a tribute to “our righteous human aspirations," while the “Deutsche Zeitung” reasserted its faith that AA’ilhelm would return to the Fatherland, hut nowhere was a single word written or spoken suggesting a wish to see him once more seated on the throne. The ex-Crown Princess, her sons, and Princes Eitel, Eredich and Oscar attended a service at Potsdam, the preacher at which, by bis selection of a text, certainly echoed the sentiments of those at Doom, for he clmse a passage from Micali. “0 my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me’’ (chapter six, verse three). A meeting was held in the evening in ironical honour of Air Parker Gilbert. Agent-General for the Reparations Commission, who was described as “the real Emperor of Germany, who rules with a- ton lint and scissors for coupons, whereas the ex-Kaiser ruled with a crown and sceptre.” The meeting was organised under the auspices of a Fascist group, and was broken up after tumultuous scenes, in which several persons were seriously injured. The police arrested fifteen Fascists, two of whose victims were sent to hospital. SOVIET FINANCE. LONDON, Jan. 29. The “Daily News’’ Berlin correspondent says it is semi-officially announced that Russia is unable to pay Germany interest on loans in recent years. The banking house of Afendolssohns is taking a lead in establishing German claims in view of coming negotiations regarding Russia-Ger-man trade treaty. Russia’s financial position is thus established as on the verge of bankruptcy. The “Daily News” comments that the Soviet promptly honoured her British trade obligations, and there is nothing to indicate that Russia is nearer bankruptcy than previously, although the Soviet obviously requires new capital, of which internal loan and attempt to sell Solids abroad at high rate of interest are evidence.