The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1922. DR. RATHENAU’S MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1922. DR. RATHENAU’S MURDER.

Whatever may be the feelings entertained towards Germany and her statesmen, the assassination of Dr. Rathenan will be regarded by all right-minded British people with just as deep a feeling of repulsion as all such foul deeds arouse nearer Home. There must, of course, be something radically wrong when prominent men are marked down for death at the hands of assassins, whether hired or selected for the . purpose. No matter how desperate a cause may be. the removal by murder of any man is a relic of barbarism and primitive instincts. Again and again have assassins perpertrated the yvorst crime known to the law, sometimes with a motive, at oth-

ers by misguided impulse resulting from a disordered brain, and occasionally as the tool of some secret society. That Dr. Rathenau’s murder was deliberately planned and carried out appears to be beyond all doubt. The pathetic element in the tragedy is the fact that the victim was probably the best, friend his country possessed. a man who was striving his •itmost to make the Republic a success, and, by a policy of conciliation, to restore good relations between his country and other nation that had been wronged. It is well known that there exists in Germany a powerful secret organisation, the object of which is to restore the monarchy, and incidentally, it seems, to remove by assassination those on whom the existence and furtherance of the Republic depends. Herr Erzberger was the first prominent victim of this organisation, and it was expected that the trial of Commander von Kill in ger on a charge of complicity in that murder, would reveal other political murders since the Armistice was signed. Threatening letters have been received by most, if not all, of the prominent anti-Royalists, and a warning has been given by the executive of the Majority Socialists for all Socialists to be on their guard at the Monarchist celebrations on June 28, the anniversary of the signing of the Versailles Treaty. That Dr. Rathenau held strong views adverse to a monarchial regime is evident from his statement in the interview given to a New York journalist a year ago, when he said : “The German people have for ever been cured of Royalty?’ Past-masters in the art of secret intrigue, the Tankers and Monarchists have set their wits to work on the old lines of creating dissensions, even going to the length of sweeping out of existence those who stand in their way—a heritage of Kaiserisrn. Again and again they have tried to create disturbances and foment partisanship to further their ends. “Cowardice.” said Dr. Rathenau, “caused the war,” and it is the worst form of cowardice —the employment of assassins—that the monarchists are displaying. The peace and prosperity of Europe in great measure depends on a contented and prosperous Germany. The scenes in the Reichstag when the news of the foul deed became known, indicate the high tension that exists, and it is the aim of the Monarchists to intensify the fury of the people as much as possible in order to pave the way for a coup d ’etat. Mr. Lloyd George fiittinHy voiced the sentiments of all British people when he expressed the deepest horror at the outrage, and trusted that Germany would not suffer from the wrong the assassins inflicted on her. It is for the German people to settle with the arch enemies in their midst, and it is for the Allies to help those who are striving to uphold the German Republic, for should the Monarchists regain power there is no doubt as to war clouds gathering on the horizon and defiance being hurled at the Allies. It is clear that the best interests of Germany are being imperilled by deadly and dastardlv methods. The menace must be fought ans overcome

ERRORS OF JUDGMENT.. The result of the nautical inquiry into the wreck of the Wiltshire was probably anticipated by thoae who followed the proceedings as reported from day to day- The judgment of the Court was that the captain made two errors of judgment, though, as a matter of fact, there was really only one error, namely, the neglect to at once turn round when the soundings indicated danger, and then to navigate the ship with the utmost caution. Apparently the ships’ course had been correctly set, but the failure to pick up the Cuvier light when, according to the captain’s own evidence, he was within the range of that light, should of itself have engendered a policy of due caution, and it was to the absence of that caution that the Court considered the calamity was due. There was put forward a suggestion that the set of the current was in a large measure responsible for the vessel being carried out of her proper course, but the fact remains that whether the visibility was not good, or the vessel had been carried out of her proper course so that the light could not be picked up, the responsible officer in charge had an obvious duty to perform under the circumstances, and upha-ppily it was not carried out. The Court could come to no other conclusion than that the captain’s judgment was in error, and had there been any loss’ of life it is possible a more severe penalty would have been imposed on the captain than the payment of the costs of the inquiry. Very rightly the Court expressed appreciation of the conduct of the captain, the officers and crew of the Wiltshire after the ship had been stranded, also of the work of the rescuers. It is at such times that the best traits of Britishers come to the fore. There can be no doubt the captain feels acutely the misfortune he has met with, while the public certainly deplore the calamity, though fully endorsing the Court’s judgment.