AN EMPIRE IN RUINS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 42, 13 November 1918, Page 7

AN EMPIRE IN RUINS

BROKEN DYNASTIES IN GERMANY ■ OF RULING ' y PRINCES ByTelegraph-Presß Association-Copyright . ' London, November 12. Herr Ebert, in his manifesto, says: "Prince Max, with the all the Secretaries of State! handed over to me the business of the Imperial Chancellor. I am proceeding in accord with the' p arties in the formation of a People's Government, whose endeavour will be to bring to the German.people peacejas speedily as possible, and strengthen the freedom it has gained. ' I appeal to all citizens for support." Herr Ebert adds: "It is the duty of all in the town ana country to facilitate production' and transit of food. Shortage of supplies means plunder, implying misery to all, whereby, the poorest and the workers will be the chief sufferers. I beg you all to leave the'streets and preserve calm and order." A ; wireless German official message, dated November 11, says Herr Ebert issued a proclamation as follows:—"The new Government has taken charge of. affairs in order to preserve the people from civil war, and examine and just claims to self-determination. It can only accomplish its task if all tne authorities lend a helpful hand. I k now how hard it will be for many to co-operate with the new men who will now conduct the Empire's business, but I appeal to their love-for our own people. If the organisation of public life stops at this serious hour, then Germany', will become a prey to anarchy and the most terrible misery. Therefore lend 'help by continuing to work fearlessly and unrelentingly until the hour comes that relieves us of our duty."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii. , ' t V. • RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY. Washington, November 11. Officials regard the statement by the new German Government as intended to convince the Allied world that responsible authority is being maintained in Germany. It is understood that the Allies would be just as willing and even more willing to'deal with a democratic Germany than with an autocratic Government, provided the democratic Govern ment is able to maintain order and carry out the obligations imposed by the terms of the armistice and the subsequent ■ pledges of the peace treaties.. It is made clear at headquarters that the fact that the repudiated Kaiser headed the German Government during the great war does not relieve those who deposed him from the responsibility or paying the cost of . the Kaiser's great adventure.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW GOVERNMENT'S PROCLAMATION . Copenhagen, November 11. A message from Berlin states that the new Government issued the following -proclamation"Fellow citizens! This day the people's release has been fulfilled. The Social' Democratic Party has undertaken the Government and has invited the Independent Socialist Party to enter the Government with equal rights. The new Government will organise ;'q,n election, constituting a. National Parliament." The proclamation was signed by Ebert, Schiedemann, and Landsberg. . _ ' . • The manifesto concludes: "Long live the Social Republic." News has been received of the formation of similar councils elsewhere in Germany. Everything's proceeding within -the bounds of economic order. The processions from the suburbs to the centre of Berlin, carrying red flags, were .headed by armed soldiers, who urged soldiers and officers wherever they met to remove their cockades and epaulOts. The majority voluntarily complied, and geileral fraternisation of sailors, soldiers, and workmen occurred. Workmen on entering the barracks were received with enthusiasm by the. soldiers. As far'as is. known the only clash botween the people add the armed forces occurred on the occupation of the Cockchafer Barracks, of the Fusilier Guards, There two officers fired shots, leading to three fatalities.—Reuter." BERLIN UNDER THE RED FLAG ■ STRIKING CHANGE IN THE CITY, • .J . (Rec. November 13, 0.45 a.m.) ' London, November 11. The "Times" Hague correspondent states that the "Handelsblad's" Berlin correspondent, writing on November 10, states:—"ln a few hours the aspect of the • proud city has completely changed. Tho Workers and Soldiers' Council is in . absolute control. Lorries filled with soldiers and civilians move slowly through , the streets, whioh are crowded with sightseers, who are scarcely able to comprehend the startling 1 event. Soldiers wear red favours, cheer, and shout "Hoch, the Republic!" Police are invisible. Compact processions more in orderly fashion. The workers carry carbines, and tho soldiers rifled and grenades. Tho public is not manifestly enthusiastic, but a joyous feeling is prevalent, and cheers are exchanged with passing soldiers. A great red cloth hangs from the Schloss. • Tlw Soviets havo occupied the Keichs Bank, the Town Hall, and the police headquarters." Reports from Essen state that tipre have been murders and conflicts. The loyalist soldiers fought until overpowered. The Kaiser's effigy was burned.' Work has censed 'at Krupp's. . At Hamburg order has been restored. '-The shops have opened under the' Soviets' control. At Frankfurt the Soviets' guards aro keeping order."—"The Times." GENERAL STRIKE COMMENCES (Rec. November 13. 0.30 a.m.) London, November 11. Excitement in Berlin reached a clim ax on Saturday afternoon, when a large number of motors, carrying armed workmen, sailors, and soldiers, stopped all men in uniform. and out off their Iron Crosses and imperial cockades. They occupied the telegraph offices. The police forthwith disappeared. Civilians wearing red and white armlets kept order. A general strike 'has now com-menced.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRINCIPALITIES SUBJUGATED ' s London, November 11, Hanover, Offenbach, and .Augsburg have been seized, with little resistance. The soldiers removed their cockades and donned .red.' They announced their decision to obey only the Soviets.—"The Times." THE NEW REPUBLICS i B6rne > November 10. , . The coalition of Democrats, Socialists, and Peasants, after overthrowing the projected Lithuanian Monarohy, has cancelled Duke Uracil's election as Kir;" and proclaimed Lithuania, a republic. _ < Amsterdam. November 10. Hesse-Darmstadt has been deplared, a republic.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KING OF SAXONY DETHRONED mi. v i c • , . New Yoi " k i November The King of .Saxony .has been dethroned—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn. ' '- . THE NEW WURTEMBURG (Rec. November 12, 11.30 p.m.) ''■'i'rr, , '' Copenhagen, November 11. Tlis to of Wwtemkrg, m a proclamation, states that the new Cabinet will ho d an election with secret ballot and equal suffrage, after which a conventaon will give the State a new democratic constitution. "My person will never be a hindrance to the development desired by tho people," states the King. • (Rec. November 18, 0.30 a.m.) The King of Wurtemburg did not wait for the election, but fled from Stuttgart owing to hostile manifestations.—Reuter. • ' THRONES ARE TUMBLING IN GERMANY Amsterdam, November 11. The Grand-Duke of Mecklenburg has abdicated.—Reuter. (Rec.. November 13, 0,30 a.m.) Copenhagen, November 11. •The Grand Duke of Oldenburg has been dethroned.—Reuter. HARD TASK FOR REGIME. (Rec. November 13, 0.45 a.m.) - . London. November 11. Thrones are tumbling in Germany, but it is not yet clear that Herr Ebert is succeeding in centralising control. Much depends upon the attitude of the returning soldiers and the food distribution. If the soldiers refuse to surrender to the new power, discordancies may load to a collapse of the whole fabric. Expert commentators think .that the Soviets are mostly solid Socialist societies and committees of which the extremists aro not feared. They are more concerned about food, thinking that disturbance of production may lead to famine and to inevitable Bolshevism and_ reaction. Mr. Hoover, United States Food Controller, is coming to Europe immediately to deal with tho problem of victnailing Central Europe. London fully expects to remain rationed until the enemies are supplied. Paris raises the point whether the Kaiser s {.bdication is . beyond doubt. There is no authoritative publication yet of tho abdication letter. Paris insists that von Hindenburg and many generals accompanied the Kaiser to Holland. They may be a centre of reaction. . Important questions are being asked the Holland Government by the Allies.—United Service. BLOODLESS REVOLUTIONS (Rec. November 12, 11.30 p.m.) . Copenhagen, November 11. A message from Dusseldorff states that the Soviet, in a proclamation, states that public seourity and order will be maintained bv the police. Plunderers and thieves will be shot. r It appears that the Dusseldorf revolution was bloodless. At Dresden the civilian authorities are co-operating with the Soviet. In.Berlin the Soldiers' Council has issued a proclamation announcing that it has taken over the military administration. "Comrades, wo stood together in the field, and bled together in battle," it states. "United we will lead Germany to' a happy future."— I "The Times. •

GERMAN WAR FACTORIES CLOSE \ Amsterdam, November 10. The Munich factories and shops closed on Thursday. Tens of Ihousamls of people met before the Royal residence, including numerous bourgeois, who demanded abdication. There was a procession, and the city was placarded with the signs "Peace and Liberty/' "Away with the Hohenzollerns." .Uniting before the Royal Palace, the crowd shouted, "Away with the Kaiser end King." Despite orders, soldiers joined the procession, and the situation became threatening. The crowd marched from barracks to barracks, and then to the ies. Further events are unknown. Numerous soldiers and sailors arrived in Berlin on Thursday afternoon. At the barracks an officer addressed them in harsh tones, after which (ho men, with slight resistance, marched to the city. All the barracks subsequently were closed. The Independent Socialists had been prohibited to meet, but the prohibition was only partly known aiid great crowds gathered in' tho halls. When informed of the prohibition they left quietly. A strong patrol of mounted and foot police guarded the city. On Thursday night the revolutionaries seized the telephones and telegraph services. Workmen went tp work on Friday, but informed their employers that they would strike if the Kaiser's abdication was not announced by noon. The sailors who did not participate in the revolution.were marched through the streets, causing a sensation, and then wore sont home when a telegram was dispatched that the streets and stations of tho castle wore being heavily patrolled.—"The Times." " ROYAL FUGITIVES DEFINITE END OF _ KAISE RISM. London,' November 11. Mr. Mackenzie, "The Times" correspondent, writes-.—"lt is impossible yet to estimate the real situation in Germany. Tho first movements appear to be orderly; but it is mot yet known whether the local rising was initiated in Berlin, where the Socialist leaders are working to dominate and co-ordinate affairs. The position of Liebknecht and the extremist Junkers and Industrialists is obscure. Nothing i 9 heard of the Beaurocracy, upon whoso attitude almost everything, especially food and transport, depends. Later events will show whether the local movements can bo pieced together and order maintained through the economic crisis. Whether he has really abdicated or gone into hiding, one thing is certain, the Kaiser will not' return. He has been a false friend of every country in turn, and the greatest enemy to his own. Ho will be remembered all the time as a vain, versatile, emotional, and unscrupulous wielder of a force which he could not contr 1 . The present claimants to power were hitherto Imperial. Socialists. Bernstein described them as train-bearers of the Imperial Government. Wo will soon know what the Eberts and Sehiedemanns are like. Certainly a remarkable Socialist majority controls Munich as well as Berlin, while their close colleagues dominate German Austria.—"The Times." KAISER'S EXIT SOJOURNING AT POPULAR RESORT. London, November 10. The "Times" correspondent at The Hague states: "The Kaiser, with a suite of ten gentlemen and two Court carriages, passed the Dutch frontier at Maastricht on Sunday morning in the greatest secrecy. He was observed at Midnachten, a popiilar summer resort. Tho Kaiser's seclusion is zealously safeguarded."—"The Times'." . GENERAL STAFF ALSO SEEK SANCTUARY Vancouver, November 11. A London message states that von Hindenburg and the General Staff accompanied the Kaiser to Holland. Ten automobiles carried the fugitives, who were all armed.—Reuter. Amsterdam, November 10. It is reported that von Hindcnbiirg fled with the Kaiser and tho Crown Prince.—Reuter. ■ AUSTRIAN IMPERIAL FAMILY London, November 11. Advices from Berlin state that the A ustrian Imperial family has fled to Switzerland. The entire Austrian fleet has been interned.—Reuter.

THE OUTBREAK AT KIEL

HOW THE NAVAL MUTINY DEVELOPED. (Eeo. November 12,, 10.30 p.m.) Amsterdam,- November 11. It is now established that the primary outbreak at Kiel was due to an order given to certain warships to put to sea. Tho Bailors and stokers believed that this meant the fleet was being ordered out to commit hnra-lriri at the hands of the British and American Navies. The revolt 600n assumed a political character, the rebels demanding the control of all public services and industries, an eight hours' working day, and' State support for'all unemployed and needy people. The revolutionaries everywhere are picking off the Gemian eagle from their helmets, Anyone refusing to remove the eaglo risked being shot. Tho rebels are also strictly prohibiting the wearing of tho Iron Cross.—Beuter. WHOLE OF PRUSSIA INVOLVED THREE NEW REPUBLICS. (Roc. November 12, 10.3(1 p.m.) Amsterdam, November 11. Telegrams from Berlin show that th o revolution is hourly gaining momentum. The whole of Prussia is now involved. Bavaria, Saxony, and Baden have proclaimed republics. Scores of big towns are in the hands of the revolutionaries. They were mostly gained without bloodshed, as tho troops quickly threw in their lot witlr the rebels.—Keuter. FINAL ATTEMPT TO RALLY THE ARMY London, November 10. ( The "Daily Chronicle's" Amsterdam correspondent states that the Kaiser's visit to headquarters was intended to rally the Army round him. Only the ofheers, chiefly Prussians, placed themselves at his disposal. ITo conferred for several hours with the Crown Prince, von Hin denburg, and General Greener. Bom generals advised his abdication. Hindenburg said that delay would have terrible consequences .in tho Army. The Kaiser had not decided when the conference ended, but made up his mind an hour later, after the receipt of a communication from Berlin—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TERRIBLE SCENES IN RHINELAND The Hague, November 11. Fugitives describe terrible scenes in the Rhino and Weslphalian industriiil regions" Exhaustion ,and starvation precipitated the revolution. The people were at tho end of their powers,'and frequently collapsed in the streets. the revolutionaries havo completely captured tho sympathies of the population, who now look to Socialism for deliverance as they formerly swore by tho Ivaiser and Urn Fatherland. Fanaticism now dominates Germany. Houses are daubed red, soldiers wear red tie.?, children red knickers, women red socks, and even their sabots are painted red. The crowds thronging the streets are mad with excitement Armed with pols of red paint, they nre daubing' everything. There is much destruction and vandalism. A mob rushed the Hamburg Museum and destroyed works of art and slashed the pictures—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. THE GERMAN ARMISTICE Washington, November 11, 12.30 a.m. I Tho war end* this morning at six o'clock. The armistico was signed by tho German representatives at midnight. The terms of the armistice will not be made public until later.—Beuter. Washington, November 11. The news of the signing of the armistice was telephoned to President Wilson at the White House from the State 'Department before it was announced in the newspapers. Correspondents and officials of the various Government Departments remained at their desks awaiting the news, which was, conveyed to them immediately after President Wilson was notified—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CALL TO NAVY TO STAND BY CAMP ORDERS CANCELLED, ' Washington, November 11. President Wilson has announced that all orders calling out members of drifts to the camps have been cancelled. Mr. Daniels (Secretary of tho Navj) w, nnnmmppH that American Navy construction will continue despite the armistice, tealwe the of policing the waters of the world will fall on the Allied navies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. / THE MEETING OF THE ARMISTICE DELEGATES another version. Cfeo. November 13, 0.30 a.m.) u The meeting of Marshal Foch and the German plenipotentiaries took place armistice." —Aus. N.Z.-Cable Assn.