"VIVE RECKLIN! ”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 364, 26 May 1928, Page 9

"VIVE RECKLIN! ”

ALSATIANS CHEER FOUR CONSPIRATORS FIVE YEARS’ BANISHMENT (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Times Cable. LONDON, Thursday. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says four leaders of the Alsatian .autonomist party have been convicted of conspiracy against the State and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and five years’ banishment from Alsace. They are Recklin and Rosse, who were recently elected to the Chamber of Deputies at the general election, and Able and Fasschauer. Eighteen others were acquitted. Counsel for accused pleaded for the abolition of the “war psychology,” which, he said, prevented a friendly international understanding. Scenes of disorder marked the close of th© trial. Many persons stood on the benches cheering the accused men and shouting “Vive Recklin! Vive Rosse!” The persons who had been acquitted joined in the demonstration of sympathy with those who had been sentenced, and shook their fists at the jury. The gendarmes had difficulty in clearing the court, and the excitement continued outside. The counsel for the defence was carried shoulder-high through the streets. A meeting passed a resolution demanding the release of the four convicted men, who have decided to appeal. Crowds remained in the streets until late at night; and there were many free fights.

The trial of 22 autonomists and separatists of Alsace-Lorraine began at Colmar on May 2.

Only 15 of the accused were present in court. The others escaped to Germany and were tried in their absence. The chief defendant, Dr. Ricklin, was elected to the French Chamber of Deputies by a large majority. He was a member of the .Reichstag before the war. Another of the accused, Joseph Rosse, represents Colmar in the Chamber of Deputies. Only these two speak French well. The indictment therefore was translated into the German tongue.