ANTI-SOVIET PLOT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1930, Page 5

ANTI-SOVIET PLOT

BY OIL MAGNATES

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

BERLIN, Jan. 9. There was a sensational incident at the resumed 30 days’ trial of Professor Shu via Kanin idzo, “the uncrowned King of Georgia,” also of six Germans on a charge of conspiring to forge masses of Russian notes, in hopes of causing an economic crash in Russia, anti then by overturning, the Soviet in a rush attack led by the Taiinenberg hero, General Hoffman ; it being suggested that the real prize was the control of the Georgian oil wells, and it is implied that great, oil magnates, including one British oil magnate, arc behind the plot.

The sensation was when the Judge, at the instigation of the defending barrister, cleared the Court of witnesses, the public and the press, ;• bile an important piece of secret evidence was being disclosed. Only two special representatives of the German Foreign Office were allowed to remain in the closely guarded Court. Counsel said that the interests of the State demanded this secrecy, and added that the document would prove beyond doubt that Professor Karunidzes’ activities were strictly political, end were recognised by the German Government. When the document had been read, the witnesses returned, and the trial proceeded. There were further allegations of English complicity in the plot heard when one of the accused men, Herr Willi Schmidt, who is a prosperous Nil rein burg manufacturer, in giving evidence, declared that it was his own opinion that the purpose of the forgery of Russian currency was not necessarily to overthrow the Soviet regime, but was, with England s help, to obtain possession of South Russia and of Georgia, for the sake of the oil wells there.

“English oil concessions are referred to definitely for the first time,” saH the Judge. “What docs this mean?”

There was silence, until Dr Beer, the defending counsel, replied: “Professor 'Karunidze {has already mentioned the name of one oil magnate, Deterding.”

The Judge: You wished to secure the independence of Southern Russia? Herr Schmidt: Yes. The Judge: I am seeing clearly now! First, the Southern States were to he severed from Russia, for which a icvolt was necessary. That was to be financed, partially, with false Russian notes. Then economic agreements we>-e to come into force, and the oil magnate was to do’ the rest..

“Of course,” said Herr Schmidt. “But the economic complex was discussed along with the political one. Herr Schmidt admitted providing. £250 towards the cost of General Max Hoffman’s visit to London and he declared that his own motive was to secure a profitable market for Gei man) in an area purged of Bolshevism. The trial was adjourned.

KEEN LONDON CONCERN

LONDON, January 10

The personal aspects of the Kanmidze trial are exciting the keenest interest in London. Mr Deterding, the magnate mentioned at the trial, U' cs at Park Lane, London. He is one of the world’s foremost oil kings. Mere wd! certainly lie heard concerning Hit use of liis name. Professor Karmulize is called “the Uncrowned King of Georgia.’ He is Hie alleged .ringleader of the plot to secure the oil territory lor German and British financial groups. The defending counsel declares Ivarunicize is purely a Georgian patriot. The document which was supposed to prove this was read in camera, because, according to his counsel, it might endanger the safety of the German State if made public.” General Max Hoffman is described as being President Hindenburg’s Chief of Staff. He is reputed to have been the winner of the Battle ot lnnnenliurg in the late war, and to be the maker of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty of Peace between Germany and Russia.

The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic writer says that General Hoffman, in the spring of 192£5, approached the British Embassy and others at Berlin, with a view to his coming to London to discuss with the British Govern niont the position of the Soviet Government, which, he declared to be on the verge of complete financial colla use. Berlin referred him to London, where the Foreign Office expressed ail inability to receive him. Tin’s did not deter General Hoffman from conferring with some leading unofficial personalities in British industry and politics.