GERMAN UPHEAVAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 151, 22 March 1920, Page 5

GERMAN UPHEAVAL

GRAVE DEVELOPMENTS

GEINERAL SOCIALIST RISING FEARED

AGITATION FOR SOVIET

REPUBLIC

By Telegraph—Presß Association—Copyright

London, March 17,

The telotrrams via Copenhagen indicate crave new 'developments. There was fighting on Tuesday night at Spandau (a suburb of Berlin) between soldiers and communists, and sixty-five were killed and a large number wounded. The. position last night in Berlin was most serious, and a general rising by the Socialists was feared. The Independents and Communists proclaimed a republic, and sent Kapp a list of their Ministry, toeelher with an ultimatum. Kapp replied bv declaring that martial law will be drastically enforced. Pickets throughout the city were strengthened, and all citizens must be indoors by nightfall. Von Hindenjmrg has assumed the role of peacemaker. He telegraphed to Kapp, urein? the withdrawal of the troops and the dissolution of the now Government, provided earlv elections were held- Yon Hindenlnirg sent President Ebert a copy of the telegram.

Earlier Berlin messages agreed that both the old and the now Governments have most to fear from a renewal of the Spnrtacist outbreak's. Kapp stated yesterday that he had put aside- the-negotin-tions with the old Government in order to concontrate against the Communists. His Government expected a revolt immediately.

Stuttgart telegrams state that extreme T?adical developments have already begun in Solingen, Essen, and elsewhere in the Rliineland. The Spartacists arc only ■vvaitinjr for an opportunity to seize power iind declare .a dictatorship. A Soviet has been established in several places, including Stuttgart. The' Snartacists are ■relying on the support of 200,00(1 Russian prisoners of war still in Germany. A- violent agitation in favour of a Soviet Remiblic and an alliance with Russia has been begun in Berlin by the Independents and Communists. Trouble originated yesterday by workmen charging the military, who were marching in the Brunne'istrasse playing pntriotic airs, and a number were killed and wounded. Another skirmish at Charlottenlmrg resulted in several heirs; killed and wounded. Workmen in Strausberg', eastward nf Berlin, disarmed the town militia.. The casualties in Spandau were almost entirelv confined to civilians!. Fights in other parts of Boi'lin district continue, it-eluding some in the inner portion, near rhe castle, where eight were killed and twelve wounded.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn., fßec. March 21, 5.5 p'.m.) I •; London, March 17. . The "Dailv News." Berlin correspondent states that Government machineguns fired on the crowd at PotsdamerPlatz. - Twelve were killed and many wounded. Seven workingmen were kill, ed in Trhlandstrasse, and others were killed or wounded at Charlottenburg. Details of the casualties are not obtainable. The Government troops used tanks at Dresden, where, after a fierce struggle, the workers captured the tanks. Fiftv were killed and ISO wounded. Armed workers in the mining districts are attacking the troops.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .'

Paris, March 18.

The French Charge d'Affaire3 has arrived in Stuttgart, and has been instructed, to maintain diplomatic relations with Bauer's Government.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

COMMUNIST " COMMITTEE OF ACTION

Berlin, March 17. It is ronorted that the Independent Socialists Colin and Daumig have formed a Communist '"committee of action" with a view to establishing a Soviet Repuo:i« and-a -Proletariat Dictatorship. The committee'sent an ultimatum to ICapp demanding the withdrawal of his taps bv to-night, and Kapp agreed, provided an amnesty was granted. Th* "I'rankfurt Zeitung" states that the V : ce-Ohancellor. Hen - Schiffer, who was Minister of Justice in Bauer's Cabinet. hut sided with Kapp, has taken over the reins of government from Kapp. , The streets are brilliantly illuminated at night as a precaution against a Communist outbreak.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Berlin, March 18.

A Soviet 'Republic was. proclaimed in Eisleben. Saxony.ia l The troops defeated the armed Communists at Elberfeld and drove a thousand of them into the occupied territory, where they were disarmed bv the British.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

COMMUNIST SUCCESSES.

Berlin, March 18.

The Communists in Westphalia are ■rapidly eouiiug to tho front, attacking both Noskc and the revolutionary troops. Communists at Weeter attacked tho Reicliswehr forces, and the latter brought up a battery of artillery. The Communists captured the guns and forthwith executed all the officers. There was n. similar affair at Hemie, where tho Communists were victorious. There are various reports regarding Kapp besides that of suicide. It is saitl that he was arrested by Spartacists and led off frojn Berlin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. FRENCH RHINE~GARRISONS DOUBLED PRESS VIEWS OF TJIE COMPROMISE (Rec. 'March 21, 5.5 p.m.) Pari9, March 1(1. Herr Mayer (German Charge d'Affaires) ,informed M. Milleraml that news from Stuttgart showed that Ebert's Government had. declined all dealings with the irregular administration established at Berlin. It js understood that-the French Rhine garrisons have been doubled. Belgium is hurrying reinforcements to the frontier. The French Press remarks that tue compromise verges on the ridiculous, and the French Government is closely watching tho situation. Much conlideuce cannot be placed in either Government, considering that adversaries who come so quickly together could not have had very serious difference®. The "Maiin" observes that unity of action between tho Allies was never more necessary tliau now.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INDEPENDENTSMPROCLAMATION PROPOSE TO SECURE POWER, Berlin, March 18. j

The chief reason, for von Kapp'a resignation was want of money, as the State Bnnlf refused to pay luo demands of the new Government. Tho leaders of tlw Majority Parties were summoned to a conference in the Beichslag on Wednesday afternoon, and it was expected that n Provisional Government would be formed in the evening.

General von Seekt lias succeeded von Luttwitz in. command of the troops in Berlui, while the Baltic troops have been sent from the city. The Independent Socialist loaders in tho meanwhile have issued a proclamation that the proletariat <loes not fee the point of reorganising working men's forces for tho benefit of libert, and proposes to secure power for itsolf. Colm and Daumig have accordingly proclaimed a republic of workmen's, soldiers', and sailors' coun-cils.—Aus.-N.SS. Cable Assn. JUNKERS' RICULOUS FLIGHT UNCERTAIN ATTITUDE OF COAI- ' MUNISTS. (Bee. March 21, 11.10 p.m.) London, March 20. A Berlin message reports that tho Government has aeepted the workmen's terms and the strike lias been settled. The latest telegrams from Berlin indicate that tho Junkers will not survive tho ridicule in which their latest advantnre ended, including the flight in toxica iw.. yiled with lut-boxes und suit cukcj). nnd tho pitiablo part played by so-called strong men liko Ludendorff and Helfferich. The old Government is also discredited by the fact that Nosko crushed tho agitation of the Left Wing extremists with ruthless energy, but omitted to deal with tho even more dangerous Eight Wing. Tho attitude of the CommunifitSj who are equally opposed to both.

Ebert and Kapp, is still uncertain, though the railway and postal strikes are declared ended.—Aus.-N.Z. Cublo Assn. (Rec. March 21, 11.20 p.m.)' London, March 21. A Hamburg message reports, that Luttwitz lias committed suieido and Kapn lias been arrested at Leipzig—/iu?.-N.Z'. Cable Assn. SPARTACISTSIAPTURE ESSEN ALLIES PREPARED TO INVADE GERMANY (Rec. March 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 20. A hundred thousand Spartacists have captured Essen. 'There has been terrific fighting. A Soviet republic has been de clared. The Allies are prepared to invade Germany unless there is an early ending of the revolutionary outbreak.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. GENERAL STRIKE ENDS. (Rec. March 21. 5.5.. p.m.) Berlin, March 20. The general' strike has ended.—Aus,N.Z. Cable Assn. "PREPARE FOR NEW WAR!" GENERAL VON LUTTWITZ'S PROPOSAL. (Rec. March 21, 5.5. p.m.) Paris, March 16. Bauer announced that one of tho gravest proposals Luttwitz submitted to tho Berlin Cabinet was that army demobilisation in accordance with the Versailles Treaty should not bo carried out, nor war material destroyed. Germany, on the contrary, should, according to Luttwitz, prepare for a new war. Addresses of fidelity to and confidence in Ebert's Government are pouring in. especially from Southern, Western, and Central States. It is reported that the Kapp Government's settlement conditions include an amnesty for all participants in the coup d'etat—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DETAILS FO KAPP'S DOWNFALL COMMUNISTS' ULTIMATUM. London, March 18. Berlin messages give further details of the events leading to Kapp's downfall. Members of the Imperial Council on Tuesday night demanded a conference with Luttwitz, who, in a long speech, dealt with Germany's political and economic nasition, and finally admitted that Kapp had not succeeded n securing even . tlm support of the Conservatives upon which he relied, and had also failed to fill any Ministries except those of . Agriculture and the Post. Office. The employees of the Post Office immediately i told Kapp's nomineo that they would not take his orders.

The conference was still sitting when the. Communists' ultimatum arrived, demanding tho immediate withdrawal of troops, in default of which a Soviet would bo proclaimed. Thereupon Luttwitz announced that he and the officers of the Reichswchr were willing to fight the Communists under tho Bauer Government.

Negotiations were resumed on Wednesday by representatives of the National Liberal Centre, People's, and Democratic parties, who accepted Kapp's resignation at noon. The negotiations continued throughout the afternoon, and finally Luttwitz offered to resign. Ilis succesvon S?ekt, undertook that the "Iron" and Marine divisions would return to Doberitz at the earliest moment, and be demobilised, there.

The National Assembly will probably return to Berlin in a few days, and it radical reorganisation of the old Government, regardless of party,,which was be? gun before the coun d'etat will bo carried out. speedily. Herr Noske is to. arrive in Berlin bv acronlane to-day to cooperato in organising the position. The leaders of all the Socialist parties the Dpi'incratc p»d the Centre I'nrtv, agreed that the National Assembly elections should be liehl in .Tune, and that the President should bo clected by the whole of tho pennle. JFho 'trade Union Congress demands NosVe's resignation, and tho nunislnnont of Ivapp. Meanwhile, President PAert has ordered the Imperial Court at Leipzig to institute actions against Knnp, '•n'.i T'i'Mu* 17. von -TnTOH', Admir.nl Trotha (Chief of tho Admiralty), and Captain Ehrhardt.—Aus.-N.Z.. Cablo Assn.

PLIGHT OF KAPP AND COLLEAGUES (Bee. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) 1

m London, March 18. The 'Daily Chronicle's" Berlin corespondent states that Kapp and Lnttwitz <i»r' tb»ir misguided colleagues Jlp<l ],i?t night in rain and mud tnan unknown de.stinai.ioii. The correspondent was present at tlio Chancellor's palace when Kapp, pale and worn, with a few friends, entered a motor heaped with luggage and documents and disappeared' at high ii'whl. 'I'he Wilhelmsti'os.w i? oniet. A procession of motors preceded ICapp, bearing Junker officers eaior to escape the wrath to' come. Trebitsch Lincoln cannot he found'. He is comparatively friendless, and will probably hido his rdontity Jn Berlin or seek the frontier. While Kapp was escaping, Bauer's olfinin «. v.w ret"j-»inrr. A small knot of civilians saw Kapp go, while his daughter was stnndin? nearby silently Creep-ing.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

AN UNCENSORED-'MESSAGE

EARLTTCR NEWS MERE PROPAGANDA.

(Rec. March 21, 5.5 p.m.)

_ ~ London, March 17. ine Kenwick "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Bsrliii smuggled out a dispatch by courier to Rhine, giving uncensored news to .Sunday night. He savs: the political censorship established is of tho worst form. Tlio merest expression ot opinion or the slightest deduction is anathema niaranatlia to the censorship of. Trebitsch Lincoln, with the result that all news cabled has been mere propaganda. The first interview Kapp granted was given to a newspaper circn--1 oi ß the Germans in the Unitvm® , " api> is findinp it extremely difficult to complete a Cabinet. So far he has gathered together comparatively unknown men. It may be called a Government of experts, but is uhlikelv to inspire the trust of the people. Even the bulk of the Conservatives a.re holding aloof. As I write, the sitnntion is developing fast behind the scenes. It is expected that the general strike will lx> effective by Monday. There is talk of a b'-se numb»r of proletarians.' If they act, then the Berlin streets will run with blood. Kapp's Government is likely to show little mercy. If there is trouble the Government will appoint Liidendorft military dictator to restore order. The : broad muss of (lie people sees in Kapp's ! Government only its ancient foe—militarism. The workers have met in secret, but their oniii'oiis and plans as vet have not been disclosed. All the non-Prus-sian provinces are closing their frontiers, and separation is spreading by leaps and bounds. _ About three-quarters of Germanv sides with the Bauer Government against the Berlin regime, and a move on the part, of the new Government can scarcely fail to lead to civil war. The manner in which Luttwitz carried out tho coup showed all the old Prussian skill of organisation. This leads me to express the belief that enforcement of Part Vof the Treaty—the military clausewas never so necessary as to-day. Berlin is a peril to Europe. Germany lias approached her supreme tragedy. It was brought about by the stupidity of the Government, which left Berlin at the mercy _ of militarism. Tlio Allies' representatives thus far had no relations with Kapp's Government.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LINCOLN KEFt'SE.S TO DISCLOSE

ALMS. fßec. March 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 17. Interviewed Trebitsch Lincoln said ho had laboured hard for the last sixmonths against Ebert's Government. ll~e was not ashamed to admit it, but tho new regime were not reactionary. Questioned, lie added: "ff tlioy were T would probably still be associated with (hem. I have my own aims and mtrposes. but I'cfuso to'disclose them. It is difficult to say what imtioiialitv T am. Certainly I am not English."— Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NOSHE PURGSNfT THE ARMY London, March 18. The Stuttgart correspondent of the "Daily Express" interviewed Herr Noske.

'.s . sa . he lvns always certain tliat a o majority of the officer class v .'ere not devoted adherents of the Republic, but ue did not imagine they would be such tools as to attempt to overthrow tlio -wernmcnt. Most of those who were likely to attempt to foment a counterrevolution had already been dismissed, and the others feared discharge. "I could not di s rai« morn," he said, "because there were an insufficient number of loyal Republicans available. However, I am now purging the Army, and 3 '''"'"•ng the severest punishments, i here can be no question of an amnesty for men guilty of high treason."—Aus.ivZ. Cable Assn. PROBABLE MEMBERS OF NEW a CABINET. 2 Amsterdam, March 18. It Is expected that a new German Cabinet will be constituted on "Friday, - including Herr SchifFer as Chancellor, ; General von Seekt as Minister of War, - and Cn"" 1, C"" n as Minister of Finance,. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN VFITOmO AMEROGEN (Rec. March 21, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam. Mi.vh Ifi. A, number of Germans of high rank visited Ameroogen recently, but were not permitted to have -personal conversation with the ex-Kaiser.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OUTRAGE ATWIESBADEN FRENCH TYPIST KILLED. Paris, March 17. Germans _in Wiesbaden attacked two female typists attached to the French Mission, and one. died of her injuries.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. PRINCE OF WALES 4 IMPRESSIVE FAREWELLS. (Rec. March 21. 5.5 p.m.) London,. March IG. Dense crowds lined the route between .■Buckingham Palace,' where the Royal lamily took lunch, and Victoria Station, and gave an ovation to the Prince of Wales and other Royalties. A representative gathering of people assembled on tile railway platform to- wish the Prince "God speed." Their Majesties, with Princess Alary, Prince Albert, Prince Henry-, and Prince Arthur of Connaught, were warmly cheered on arrival, also the Queen Mother Alexandra, :he Duchess of Argyll, ami the .Countess of Athlon?. The aged Queen 'Mother seemed deenly 1 affected in fhrwyelling her grandson. She ! -natted him lovingly and kissed I'im on 1 .both cheeks. The Prince respectfully , stooped and kissed his grandmother's hand. The King mid Queen remained in conversation several minutes, pr their Royal Ambassador,, the Prince, stood at the door of the carriage, finally shaking hands with his grandmother and mother as the train started, amid r°'ieived cheer- , ing.. Prince.s Albert and Henry aceom- ( panied the Prince of Wales to Ports- . mouth, which iras reached at -1 p.m. . The crew were drawn tip on the quarter \ deck, and a band of marines played the , National Anthem as the Princ'c went on ( board. He nrocecded lit once to . shake E hands with all the officers and to inspect ( the crew. The scone on deck was brilliant with a. blaze of scarlet, where the marines iverc drawn up, and the glitter of gold lace of the naval uniforms. A salute of guns roared a welcome. The impressive little ceremony ivas soon over, . and the Renown drew into, the stream *} at 5,30 for the long voyage.—Aus.-N.Z. 1 Cable Assn. -> CEREMONIES AT PANAMA. Washington, March 18. Soveral members of the British Embassy have left for Panama to lake part in tho ceremonies arranged tor tho arrival of the Princo of Wales on March t.

30. The President of the Republic of' <l Panama will give a grand ball in honour c of the. Prince.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ii

ARRANGEMENTS AT PETONE In conversation with, a. Dominion representative apropos th§ arrangements, to bo made in connection with the Prince's visit to Peione, Mr. George London made the following statemeut.:^"The people living on the northern portion of Wellington Harbour, with their claims for its historic importance, have been promised a brief visit bv Ilia Prince of Wales, The occasion is to be marked by a-somewhat uujque anil ambi-. lions ceremony—that ot the. reproduction of certain historic nicideuts connected mainly with the advent of whito peoplo to and culminating in tho appearance of'- ibu otft'ly settlers, on January 22, liJfO. Tho programme of events has not been finally decided upon, but the. interest, taken in the proposal lo.cally, and the cordial help given by tho Early Settlers' Association, will, nn doubt, assure the success of the undertaking. It has been urged by one of the. promoters thnt, us tho most of the ceremonies attending the Royal visit appear to be military displays, school children's demonstrations, or social functions, a departure which strikes the maritime note, is one worthy of the most generous support and encouragement. Tho destiny of the country must bo intimately associated with maritime pursuits, when the immenso amount of seaboard is considered. The incidents of the display, tihorefore, are to <be connected with peoplo who liavo gone down to the sea in

ships to carry the flag into new countries unci found, perhaps, now empires. "On ' tlio Petone foreshore there will be erected a model Maori pa, in which Native, life of tlio earlier days—particularly that having significance, for the present—will bo reproduced. It should,, therefore, be both instructive and entertaining. A band wi'il probably play a musical passage to introduce each item, and the suggestion has been niado that a locturer should explain the significanco of tlio events. . An admirable site has been secured for tlio display, and ample accommodation will bo provided. - '