Treason Trial

Citizens Hitler and Ludendorff incited some beer-hall Bavarians to overthrow the German Republic on Nov. 8. Admitted. And what do they say when asked to show cause why they should not be decapitated, hung or otherwise extinguished for high treason? They say, in effect: "We were not the only ones. The highest Bavarian officials were in the plot, but got out when they thought it would fail. One of them was Dr. von Kahr, former Bavarian Dictator; another was the Commander of the reserve corps (Reichswehr), General Von Lossow. Another was Colonel von Seissermann, Munich police-chief. So there!"

These three were called last week to testify against Hitler and Ludendorff. From their own testimony it appeared certain that they were in the original plot to restore the monarchy. But the conspirators disagreed. Hitler and Ludendorff wanted to march to Berlin to restore the Hohenzollerns. The others wanted to stay in Munich and restore the Wittelsbach House (Prince Rupprecht) to royal power. When Ludendorff finally refused to support the Wittelsbach idea, Dictator von Kahr and his friends deserted the conspiracy.

The Dictator, the General, and the Chief of Police did not, however, say all this in so many words. The Dictator said he joined the Hitler plot merely so that he could overthrow it. The General (Von Lossow) said that all they had in mind was the creation of a Directorate, of which Admiral Von Tirpitz was to be a member. Both of them referred to Prince Rupprecht as "His Majesty." The Chief of Police was forced to admit that all three of them were "hand in glove" with Hitler last November. Finally General Von Lossow left the court, refused to give more testimony, was twice fined for contempt, was sought by the police.

And thus confusion is confounded. In the confusion Ludendorff and Hitler expect to escape with their lives, for in the night, all cats are grey.