FURTHER COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1933, Page 5

FURTHER COMMENT

THE REICH TRIAL

VAN DER LUBBE MAY NOT HANG.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, December 27

The “Daily Express’ ” correspondent at Leipzig says: “How much longer is this going to last?” asked vr.n der Lubbe of the prison warder, who replied telling Lubbe of the intervention of fhe Dutch Government, which will postpone the decision regarding the sentence for at least a fortnight. Van der Lubbe dejectedly pushed away a -slioe of Christmas cake, which the warder brought to the condemned cel!

It now appears unlikely that Lubbe will hang, but Torgler goes to the concentration camp.! Torgler’s wife has given Dr Sick, her husband's lawyer, £IOOO, which is all her money. When the wife applied for State relief, she was curtly told : “Apply to the London committee of inquiry, before which yiour son save evidence.’* ' The Bulgarians will probably be expelled at the end of the week. Most newspapers comment on • the verdict of the Reichstag fire tiiar. The "Daily Telegraph” says.: The honour of the Supreme Court, ana with it that of German justice, has been fully vindicated.

The "Manchester Guardian” , says : The Court had the courage to perform its duty of considering-the .evidence on itg merits. '‘The Times,” in a leading article entitled. “An Upright, Verdict,” 9 a ys 'Ubut no ’'message could be more seasonable to lovers of justice than the acquittal of four of ‘ the defendants in the Reichstag fire trial,- with the exception of the self confessed .incendiary, ,van ! der Lubbe,- whoseconviction was inevitable. The result had vindicated the good sense - of integrity of the German .judiciary. The fifty-seven days’ inquiry . has served to establish beyond question , the innocence of Torgler and. the Bulgarians.'. By reaching the only verdict consonant with . honour and justice, the Court. struck a ■ blow for .. humanity.' ' ; .. . ; v.;:-

DUTCH GOVT. SEEK'S REPRIEVE

BERLIN, December 27,

The Dutch Government has • appealed for the commutation of van der Lnbbe’s death sentence. •

The' result .-As problematical, because the German law • requires the •prisoners to make, such a -request, but Vah der Lubbe remains silent.