Treason Trial

The treason trial at Munich (TIME, March 3, 10), which resulted from the "Beer Hall Brawl" of last Fall, (TIME, Nov. 19) produced several thrills.

The Union of German Officers challenged ex-Reichswehr-general von Lossow to a duel on behalf of General von Ludendorff. One, Lieutenant Kriebl, joint defendant with "Ludy," also issued a challenge to von Lossow on his own account. It was alleged that he had betrayed General von Ludendorff.

The testimony of the defense was concluded and showed an effort to shift the responsibility for the putsch onto the shoulders of ex-Reichswehrgeneral von Lossow and von Seissermann, ex-Chief of the Bavarian State Police. According to the evidence, they had backed down at the last moment without giving any hint of their intentions.

The Court went in to hear evidence of secret plots concerning arms and ammunition which found their way into the hands of Adolf Hitler, one of the principals in the brawl. This session was secret as it was feared that disclosures important to Germany might be made. Immediately before the session an officer in full gray uniform and wearing an Imperial cockade marched into the Court and created a tremendous sensation.

The day following the second session, Herr Stenglein, State Prosecutor, became infuriated and dropped the case for the prosecution when Herr Kohl, one of the lawyers for the defense, demanded that von Kahr, von Lossow and von Seissermann be arraigned with Ludendorff, Hitler and the lesser heroes now being tried. After a lapse of two days he was persuaded to take the case again.