"REIGN OF TERROR"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2921, 6 November 1916, Page 5

"REIGN OF TERROR"

WIN FOR 'GERMAN SOCIALISTS Australian-New Zealand Cable Association* London, November 3. Tbo "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Rotterdam states that the Reich* stag: unanimously appointed a committeo, under the chairmanship of Herr Schiedemann (Leader of the German, Socialist majority) to inquire into tbo "roign of terror" revelations. This amounts to a Government surrender to public opinion. The Prussian, rulers have found that the German public is not quite so docile as they supposed.

[According to recent messages startling disclosures were made in tho Reichstag during a debate on "preventive arrests." It was stated That i' 24, persons are now incarcerated, of whom 189 are merely suspected of espionage. _ There are 1053 cases in which restrictions aro imposed on residenc#. i'he military use arbitrary powers, and subject those they oxrest to various foraiß of mental torture and hardships. The prisoners include Rosa irtixembourg, whoso influence was feared; girls of seventeen, and high diplomatists who had represented Germany abroad. Socialist members alleged that "preventive arrests" were being employed against people who were pohticaly ohjecHonablo. Dr. Helfferich, Minister for the Interior, defended tbo systemSome of the deputies gave a long catalogue of instances of oppression. Herr Dittmann (Socialist) said that, the military had established a reign of terror, aud there had been orgies of baseness and villainy. Young girls hact been arrested - and locked np with prostitutes. • Even Government supporters joined in the condemnation. Br. Helfferich's reply was constantly interrupted by angry exclamations. Being Tm-" ahle to pacify the House, the sittings were suspended. The newspapers described tho sitting as one of the nosiest' since the war. They bitterly resented Dr. Helfferich'e offensive tone, and tho declaration that tho Government restricts, for the duration of the war, thu Jtaichstag Select Committee's control of the foreign policy. Dr. Helfferich's apology or his resignation was demanded. Later, Herr Schiedemann, Leader of the German Socialist majority, in an artiole in "Vorwaerts," withdrew his Party's support of Herr von BethmannHollweg, whose whole mainstay the party had previously been. Herr Schiedemann declared that the revelations in the Reichstag ■ (regarding tJio military policy of "preventive arrests") would prevent any further support from his party. He demanded a strong, man to lead the country in a democratio spirit.]