IN GERMANY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16419, 13 January 1919, Page 7

IN GERMANY.

THE SPARTACUS REVOLUTION. GOVERNMENT WINS THE DAY. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright, (Australian and N.Z. Coble Aeaociation.) BERLIN, January 9. At noon on Thursday Government troops stormed and recaptured the headquarters of the Spartacus Group a 1 the office of tho "Itoto Fahne," and destroyed tho premises. The fighting reached its climax or "Wednesday night, when many people •were killed and ■wounded during the Government's assault on tho Wolfi Bureau with, grenades and machineguns. The fighting diminished on Thursday, nnd the streets are now oomparativelj quiet. The Government has completely woe the day. Tho Spartacus revolution has definitelj failed. STREETS LIKE BATTLEFIELDS. AMSTERDAM, January 9. On Thursday the situation in Berlin was unchanged, but decisive fighting was expected at any moment. Trains and trams have stopped running, as the crews refuse to operate them. They declare that it is unsafe to travel in the streets while tho Spartacus sunnorters are at largo. Herr Übert declares that he prefers battle to further negotiations. The Government believes that it is now able to overcome armed resistance. A cavalry division has arrived in the capital. The prevalent belief in Berlin is that American troops will be sent to restore order. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" compares the streets of Berlin on Tuesday to a battlefield. Artillery fire was continuous for six hours. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. LONDON, Januarv 10. Berlin advices state that the Government has issued a manifesto to the workers, bourgeoisie, and soldiers, stating that the Spartacus Group is extending its domination over Berlin, and that Dr. Liobknecht has declared "war to the knife against the non-Socialist population. Thereforo the Government accented the challenge and appealed fo r the formation of a volunteer IlenubTican Guard. Tho Spartacus supporters have established a new Government, stvled the Revolutionary Committoe. comprising Liebmann, Ledebour, and Tiek. tho lastnamed being president of the Spartacus League. TROOPS POURING IN. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received January 12th, 3.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, January 10. Great Government reinforcements are pouring into Berlin, including loyal naval forces from Kiel. The directors of tho railways declare that the railways are still in the hands of the Government, and a number of trains are running. DAY OF RECKONING AT HAND. (Australian and N.Z. 'CaJblo Association.) (Received January 12thj. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. The German Government has issued a manifesto to the people casting the blame for the violence upon the Spartacus Group, who seek absolute power. Tho manifesto adds that tho Government is taking the necessary stepe to destroy the reign of terror. Violence can only be met with violence. The hour of reckoning is approaching, and a decisive action will not be long delayed. EXTREMISTS DISCOURAGED. (Received January 12th, 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 9. Berlin reports state that the Spartacus Group are discouraged by the meagre rosults achieved. The Government retains possession of the chief buildings, including the Reichstag. They ejected the Spartacus forces from the State Printing Office. The latter stole eighteen million marks in paper money. The Government is concentrating troops in the suburbs for the suppression of (disturbances. SrSTEMATIO OPERATIONS. (Received January 12th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. A German Government wireless communique states that the excitement in Berlin increased on Wednesday, and street fighting was more lively and widespread. In view of a further failure in the negotiations, the Government oontinued its efforts to assemble the order-loving elements under a united organisation, arming them for the purpose and systematically clearing out Spartacus nests. At the Brandenburg gate, the barracks, the main railway stations, and police headquarters there were lively combats. No decision was reached by the afternoon. The Government is determined to persist in energetic attacks, if necessary bombarding the Spartacus haunts, pspecially the police headquarters, -with artillery, aided by airmen, in order to restore them to the possession of the rightful authorities. For the first time since the outbreak 1 of the revolution, the economic life Df the city is seriously disturbed, and street fighting has reached an acute stage. The exact casualties are unknown owing to the destruction of communications, but the numbers killed and injured are greater than hitherto reported. Sonsational reports are Jepxecated. Foreigners and neutrals have not been hurt. Railway and bram traffic has ceased. Students in Berlin have placed themselves at Herr Ebert's disposal, and ire forming a Students' Union. LIEBKNECHT IN DANGER.

BOLSHEVISTS ASSIST EXTREMISTS.

(Received January 12th, 0.0 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, January 9. A message ■from Berlin states that I>r. Liebknecht had a narrow escape in the Unter den Linden. Crowds assailed his taxi-cab, dragged him out, and were on tho point of lynching him when a party of armed Spartacus supporters rushod up and rescued him. Dr. Liebknecht, standing on the roof of tho taxicab. addressed his supporters. The early success of the Spartacus revolt was due to the Government s lack of firmness. The authorities later recognised the gravity of the situation and adopted drastic measures. Herr Ebert's troops are superior in. numbers and discipline to the extremists, who havo steadily lost strength m the encounters during tho past two days. Their position is practically hopeless. The Government expeots soon to regain possession of "the tO" 3graph office.

It is reported that thousands of Russian Bolshevists have arrived in Berlin disguised as German soldiers, and are joining the Spartacus forces. The latter have proclaimed red terrorism in Berlin. Dr. Liebknecht, draped in a red flag, and standing in a motor-car, announced the formation of a new proletariat Government with himself as President. RIOTS ELSEWHERE. (Received January 12th, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN. January 11. It is reported that Dr. Liebknecht ■was killed in the street fighting on Thursday. Serious rioting is reported at Hamburg, Dusseldorff, and Augsburg. j FAMINE THREATENED. | (Received January 12th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 10. A Berlin message received on Friday states that the Spartacus group is attempting to creato a famine. It lias cut off the water, gas, and electricity service, and tho populace Is panicstricken. Mobs are storming tho bakers' shops. LUDENDORFF RETURNS. (Received January 12th, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, January 9. Ludendorff received the Government's permission to return, and has arrived at Leipzig. There -was a Spartacus outbreak at Munich on Tuesday. Extremists attacked the bank, but were repulsed by machine-guns. AMERICAN EMBASSY WRECKED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Roceived midnight.) BERLIN, January 9. Twenty persons who took refugo in the American Embassy were killed, and the building badly damaged. THE SPARTACUS PROGRAMME. (Received midnight.) NEW YORK, January 9. Mr Dosch Fleurot, in a message to tho "New York World," Btates:— "A member of the Spartacus Bund gave me a programme of their intentions. They will disarm the soldiers, police, and others not belonging to the proletariat, and will control all arms and ammunition plants. They will establish a revolutionary tribunal, at which men guilty of prolonging the war ■will be tried, including tho Hohenzollerns, Ludendorff, Hindenburg, and Tirpitz. They will substitute a Federation of States for a Socialist republic. The first step will be the confiscation of all private fortunes and incomes, and tho cancellation of the public debt, including war loans, except small amounts subscribed Vby poor people. Banks, mills, and other commercial enterprises will bo confiscated. The leaders say they are determined to carry on the struggle until a working class Government is established. They say they represent the aspirations of the working class throughout the whole world." MESSAGE TO PEOPLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 13th, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 10. According to a German wireless message, Mr Bernard Shaw, Mr Israel fcang. ■will, Mr Jerome K. Jerome, and spiritual" and intellectual leaders, jurists, and Labour leaders, including Mr Smilie, have sent the following Christmas greeting to the Germar people: "A new era is ahead, the modelling of which will he humanity's united task. Our earnest hope is that you will step forward in peace and friendship with other nations and thus transform discord into harmony. U so. old evils will disappear, and in time the unity of nations will be realised. We send you a message of hope and friendship." THE POLISH INVASION. (Reuter'a Telegrami.) (Received January 12th,' 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 10. Berlin advices state that the Poles, advancing from Colmar, encountered a German volunteer oompany, and heavy fighting ensued. The Poles retreated, and the Germans captured Colmar and Weissenhoehe. The losses on both sides were very heavy. GERMAN INTENTIONS. (Received January lWh, 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM. Jamiary 10. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" states that three army corps will be employed to recapture the p-rovince of Posen and protect Silesia.