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DER REICHSTAGBRAND PROZESS By Dr. Sack A hook about the Reichstag trial, compiled by one of the leading counsel in the ease, ought to be a work of compelling interest. In this volume of 346 closely printed pages (Ullstein, Berlin, 3 R.M.) there are things of great interest ; but they could all have been comprised in a slim pamphlet, such pamphlet carrying as its frontispiece the portrait of General Goering at the trial. This is by far the most arresting " exhibit " in the book ; so arresting, indeed, that against its eloquence the argumentation of Dr. Sack, and his patient effort to demonstrate to an unjust and falsely prejudiced world that Nazi Germany really is a " Becht- Staat," falls, colourless and wan, to the ground ; even if the action of the German Government were not there to make poor Dr. Sack's efforts look rather ironical, that fact would have filled the reader with deep doubts as to his power to inter- pret its spirit and purpose. As for the book itself, it is largely a scrap book, whose various sections are stitched together by the justification design. In the case of Dr. Sack himself, that justi- fication has to he two-fold : he has to prove to the outside world that the new Germany respects the law, as law, and con- ducted the proceedings with perfect correctitude. It is really a little hard on him—since his integrity, here, is not open to doubt, and his general record is an honourable one—that his Government should have spoiled his case for him, on this point. His other purpose is concerned with opinion within Germany : there, he feels constrained to prove that he, a good Nazi party member, was nevertheless justified in undertaking Torgler's defence. To this a very large share of his speech at the trial, here reprinted verbatim, was devoted; so large a share, indeed, as somewhat to weaken the effect of that action on his part, in- so far as it is presented, now, as an argument for the integrity of the new German legal system. The stronger his ease, in fact, the worse for the Government which still keeps the acquitted Torgler in prison ; and its strength, in so far as it rests upon evidence, is tremendous. The flimsy structure of the " case " against Torgler Dr. Sack has not the smallest difficulty in tearing to pieces ; so little, indeed, that one feels his reiteration of personal conviction as to the innocence of the accused as definitely insulting to Torgler.
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