GERMANY WITHIN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1919, Page 2

GERMANY WITHIN

GERMAN ELECTIONS.

HEAVY VOTING

RESULT MAY BE CLOSE

[Australia N.Z Cable Association.)

COPENHAGEN, Jan. 21

It is estimated that ninety per cent, of the. electorate of Berlin voted. Soldiers and women were particularly eager. There is no doubt of a Government victory. A few disturbances occurred, but the Spartacusists made numerous efforts to destroy ballot boxes. Owing to the enormous number of votes,- the resudt would not be known early. LONDON, Jan. 21. The “Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent on Sunday stated that polling was proceeding without trouble. Feverish excitement prevailed in political circles. It was difficult to forecast the result, but he was inclined to believe the Liberals and Majority Socialists would carry tile day but possibly by only a small majority. The polling booths generally were established in public houses and cinema palaces. Polling began at 9in the morning, when queues were already waiting.

Later on, armed soldiers were posted at every booth. Machine-guns and field guns were placed at strategic positions, where disturbances were likely. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Amsterdam correspondent states that out of 1,100,000 electors in the city of Berlin, 1,200, 000 voted.

A picturesque incident was a procession of Sisters from a Catholic Lyceum, marching to register their votes.

The Spartaeuists at Hamburg burned number of ballot boxes, and stole some boxes at Denstaken, and also attempted to prevent voting at Hattowitz.

FORTY MILLIONS VOTED. GOVERNMENT ON TOP. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Jail. 22. Nearly forty millions voted at the "German, elections. Complete returns nre not yet available, but the polls in Berlin and many provincial towns aro declared showing the Government Socialists are on top. Everywhere victory was unexpected the Independent Socialists have secured a few seats, but topped the poll only at Leipzig and Halle. The Centre Party maintained a strong position in Bavaria, except at Munich, where Government Socialists polled 150,000 and the Centre Party 80,000. _ • Wurtemburg returned seven Government Socialists, four Centres, two Independent Socialists.

Elected members include Leichhorn, Hause, Sehcidrnann and Erzberger. It is expected the Government Socialists will be the largest Party in tlio Convention, but they will be outnumbered by a coalition of bourgeoiso parties.

SPARTACUS SET-BACK. AMSTERDAM, January 21. Hamburg which the Spartacusers and Independent Socialists regarded as their stronghold, returned seven Government Socialists, three Democrats, and one Independent Socialist.

CONSTITUTION BILL. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 21.

The German Constitution Bill follows the lines cabled on 22nd December. Prussia is divided into several Republics including the Republic of Berlin, having ten million inhabitants.