GERMAN DECREE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1932, Page 5

GERMAN DECREE

STEPS TAKEN

FOR PROTECTION AND FREEDOM

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyr i gli t.)

BERLIN, July 18

The Reich Ministry of the Interior issued on Monday evening ,ti:e expected emergency clbdree prohibiting all open-air meetings, demonstrations, and parades throughout the Reich. The decree states that the Riich Government is determined to take all necessary,''measures to protect the lives of its citizens against further attacks, and to ensure freedom of political activity.

“The Government expects,’’ 'so the decree concludes, “that all] the sections of the nation which are respectful to law arid order will remain calm and .collected, as only then the persons who arc deliberately provoking these bloody disturbances call be prevented from carrying out their intentions,” It is stated in political quarters that the Reich Government furthermore contemplates tlie establishment of special tribunals to deal with all persons charged with carryitig Or making use of weapons and explosives. These Special courts will be lempowered to pronounce the death sentence in cases whore tlm gravity of the offence justifies tlie extreme penalty, Tne measures ganoraly are approved by the .Press, the “Vossische Zeitung” stating that they are undoubtedly calculating to improve the situation if 'rigorously enforcer 1 , against all offenders without-regard to the party offiliations.

POLICEMAN FIRES ON CROWD

TWO KILLED; FIVE WOUNDED

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) ' BERLIN, July 20

After attending a funeral, two women were, killed during a political demonstration near Hanau. The majority of the five thousand mourners [besieged the house of a policeman who had been on duty during the disturbances and -mashed the windows. They were about to forc e an entry when the policeman appeared with a .revolver, and fired, killing two .and wounding five.

EMERGENCY STATE IN BERLIN

BERLIN, July 20

A state of emergency has been proclaimed in Berlin and Brandenburg and the police are under military command.