Sentencing of Nazi Climaxes Swiss Resentment Against German Spying

Sentencing of Boris Toedli, Swiss citizen of Russian origin, in absentia to three months’ imprisonment, payment of nine-tenths of the court costs and 500 francs damages to a civil plaintiff for espionage in behalf of Germany has climaxed the rising sentiment in Switzerland against Nazi spying. The three-month sentence was a month more than asked by the prosecution.

The charge in the two-day trial in the Lower Criminal Court, which ended yesterday, was espionage against Swiss citizens, chiefly in connection with C.A. Loosli, anti-Nazi author, who was awarded the 500 francs damages; Robert Grimm, Socialist and member of the National Council; B. Lipschitz, Berne Jewish lawyer, and Hans Klippenberg, a German emigrant residing in Berne.

In summing up, Prosecutor Wetli called on the court for a verdict which would secure the spiritual defense of Switzerland. He ridiculed the defense’s assertion that the Weltdienst was a private concern, declaring that the relations of its head, Col. Ulrich Fleischauer, with Heinrich Himmler, head of the Gestapo (German Secret Police) were well known.

Lipschitz, attorney for Loosli, read correspondence in which Col. Fleischauer declared that Soviet agents must be liquidated, Toedli replying he was surprised so many words were wasted when “a piece of lead” should suffice. The attorney submitted sheafs of correspondence on the 1935 case involving “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion” establishing how money was sent from Germany to Toedli to cover the cost of the trial. The attorney also described Col. Fleischauer’s activities regarding a Lieutenant de Potters, who was involved in the French “Cagoulard” affair.

Tobler, only National Front (Swiss Nazi) member of Parliament, counsel for Ernst Isler, secretary of the Front, who was acquitted, said he would not defend Toedli or his actions, but insisted Isler acted in good faith in giving Toedli information.