The Munich Trial

The trial of General Erich Ludendorff and Herr Adolph Hitler, heroes of the "Beer-hall Brawl" (TIME, Nov. 19), began at Munich, Bavarian capital.

More than 150 witnesses are expected to be called, and there is a possibility that these will include Cardinal Faulhaber, ex-Crown Prince Rupprecht, ex-Dictator Gustav von Kahr. The Bavarian authorities were taking the utmost precautions against interference.

Generalfeldmarschall von Hindenburg, having been besieged by innumerable letters to intervene on behalf of General Ludendorff, wrote the following letter, which was made public:

"Let us maintain in these sad days the firm belief that the objective of the trial will show that everything which my dear comrade and helper did was dictated solely by glowing unselfish love for the Fatherland--and I assume the same motives inspire his present opponents, for I strive to be just to all sides."

The National Association of ex-Officers issued the following protest:

"To arraign the former leader before a court of justice does not correspond at all with the dignity of the German people, and even our enemy countries admit that Ludendorff was inspired solely by patriotic motives. The whole world will ridicule and jeer at Germans because of this patriotic tragedy."