An Acquittal

There came an end to the treason trial at Munich (TIME, March 3 et seq.).

Feldmarschall Erich von Ludendorff (flagitious, inscrutable, unrelenting) was acquitted of all blame for his part in the so-called "Beer Hall" uprising* of last Fall.

The General appeared for his final day in court equipped in full military regalia with numerous orders, decorations. His acquittal was attributed to the strong feeling of favor which he had worked up as result of making no attempt to hide his Nationalistic sentiment. "Ludy" was unafraid. Last week, for example, he told his judges that they themselves sat "before the judgment of History, which does not send men who fought for the Fatherland to a fortress, but to a Valhalla."

Adolph Hitler, the other prime investigator of the revolt, together with former Chief of Police Poehner, was sentenced to five years of confinement in a fortress and fined 200 gold marks. Since it was understood, however, that he will be obliged to serve only six months--and then receive a parole for good behavior, his followers received the verdict with loud approval, signalled it from the housetops with wigwagging, deluged Hitler and Ludendorff with floral tributes, cried out: "Down with Von Kahr, Von Lossow, Seisser!" fr

*On the evening of Nov. 8, 1923, Adolph Hitler, General Ludendorff and their followers suddenly appeared before a gathering of Bavarian officials in the Burgerbrau Kellar (famed beer cellar), fired shots to obtain silence arid dramatically announced the overthrow of the Government, proclaiming themselves dictators.