GERMANY WITHIN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1919, Page 2

GERMANY WITHIN

N.Z. Cable Association.)

FIGHTING IN RUHR REGION.

MUNICH , Feb. 20.

Prince Joachim, of Prussia, son of the ex-Kaiser, has arrived. It is suspected that his visit is in connexion with certain intrigues. There was bloody machine-gun ing bet ween the Sparatacist and the Government forces in the Ruhr region. Thirty-five mines have been closed.

THE ARMY BILL

COPENHAGEN, Fob. 20. The “Deutche Allgemeine Zeituug” states that the Ministry of Defence has completel a Bill for the formation of a' standing army of 150,000 to 175,000, exclusive of officers and non-coms. It was intended to form a brigade in every province. There will be no conscription at present.

ULTIMATUM FROM ESSEN. LONDON, February 21. The United Press correspondent at Weimar reports: —The Workers Council at Essen has sent an ultimatum to the German Cabinet that unless tlic industries be immediately socialised and the minimum wage made higher than the present maximum and unless all the workers Councils are recognised at once, the Government will be overthrown.

NEW GERMAN ARMY. COPENHAGEN, February 20. The Deutsche Allegemcigne Zeitung” states: Tlie German Minister of Defence lias oomplctd a bill for the formation of a standing army of from 150,00 to 175,000 men. This is exclusive of officers and non-coms. It is intended to form a Brigade in every province. There is to be no conscription at least at present.

LUDENDORFF ORDERED OFF. VANCOUVER FEBRUARY 20. The Swedish Government has warned Ludendorff to depart before to-morrow.

CIVIL WAR. LONDON, February 21

Herr Scheidmann the Premier in a speech at Weimar, declared that Munich was now the scene of bloody civil war, and Herr Aver, Bavarian Minister of the Interior lias beep murdered, as well as Eisner (ex-Premier)j and three other Ministers had been wounded. The Spartacusites have arrested Rosshaupter, who was wounded and not killed

Another report says Aver was wounded, and not- killed while Deputy Osel was killed.

SHOOTINGS IN THE DIET

BERNE, February 12.

During a sitting of the Diet at Munidi, while Aver, Minister of Home Affairs was denouncing the assassination of Eisner, Several shots were fired from the public gallery. -The deputies took panic. Aver collapsed, being hit by a bullet in the left side. Another bullet killed Deputy Osel, of the Bavarian Popular Party. Two were seriously wounded.

HOW CIVIL WAR BEGAN. COPENHAGEN, February 21

Following a general strike at Munich, there was an outbreak of civil war, which was signalised by the ringing of church bells.

A procession of ten thousand workmen (hmrehed through the citjy. Violent, firing began and shops were plundered. The Spa Racists fled, but the Spartacists, whose adherents, it is said, include well-known anarchists, rushed into the streets with armed motor ' cars. They arrested a minister.

BAVARIA A SOVIET REPUBLIC. COPENHAGEN, February 22. Martial law has been proclaimed at Munich. A Committee of Action has been formed, including representatives of the Communist Soviet. Serious disturbances occurred at Augs burg on Friday. Cavalry and sailors repeatedly cleared the streets pouring volleys into the crowds. The “Vossiche Zeitung” says: “Bavaria was last, night proclaimed a Soviet Republic by the Revolution Munich Soviet-, which is now all powerful.

TROOPS* TO ATTACK COLLIERS. BERNE, February 21. There are thirty-five thousand German Government troops advancing towards the Ruhr coal region, where the strikes ’prevail.