THE REVOLUTION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1920, Page 4

THE REVOLUTION

INTERESTING STORY.

,Cy Electric Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON, March 18

Messages from Berlin give further details of events leading to Kapp’s downfall. Members of the Imperial Crown council on Tuesday night demanded a conference with General Luttwitz, who, in a long speech, dealt with Germany’s political and economic position, and finally admitted Dr Kapp had not succeeded in securing even the Conservatives’ support, on which he relied, and that he had also failed to fill any of the Ministries except Agriculture and the Post Office. The employees of the latter immediately told Dr Kapp’s nominee that they would not take his orders. The Conference was still sitting when the Communists gave their ultimatum, demanding an immediate withdrawal of troops, or otherwise a Soviet would be proclaimed, upon which Luttwitz announced that he and the officers of the Reiohswehr were willing to fight the Communisits under Bauer Government.

Negotiations were resumed on Wednesday by representatives of the National Liberals, the Centre, the People’s Party, and the Democratic parties, who accepted Dr Kapp’s resignation at noon. Negotiations continued throughout tho afternoon. Finally General Luttwitz offered to resign, his successor, von Seckt, undertaking that the Iron Marine Division would return to Doebiritz at the earliest where it would be demobilised. UNCENSORED REPORT.

Mr Renwick, a newspaper correspondent at Berlin, smuggled out a despatch by a courier to the Rhine, -giving uncensored news to Sunday night last.

'Ho says a political censorship had been established in the worst form. The merest expression of opinion, the slightest deduction, was anathema maranatha to the censorship. This was yun by Trebij*ch Lincoln, The result was that all the news cabled had been mere propaganda. The first interview Kapp granted was given to a newspaper circulating amongst the Germans "n the United States. Kapp was then finding it extremely difficult to complete a Cabinet. So far he had gathered together comprativcly unknown men. It might be called Government of experts, but was unliekly to inspire the trust of the people. EVen the bulk of the Conservatives were holding aloof. “As I write,” he said, “the situation is developing fast behind the scenes. It is expected a general strike will bo effective by Monday. There is talk of a large number of proletarians. If they act, then thee Berlin streets will run with blood. Kapp’s Government is likely to show little mercy. If there is trouble, this Government will appoint Ludendorff military dictator to restore order. The broad mass of the people sees in the Kapp 'Government only its ancient foe—militarism. The workers have met iri secret, but their opinions and plans as yet have not been disclosed. All the non-Prusinn provinces are closing their frontiers, and a move for separation is spreading by leaps and bounds. About three quarters of Germany 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 wliieh General Luttwit carried out the coup showed all the old Prussians’ skill of organisation. This leads me to express a belief that the enforcement of Part 5 of the Treaty—the military Clause—was never so necessary as to-day. Berlin is a peril to Europe. FURTHER NEAVS. LONDON, March 20. Latest telegrams indicated negotiations between the two Governments had been suspended, Kapp resigning after Hindenburg advised his resignation and wrote to Ebert urging an early election.

The position of the new regime was most difficult, owing to the Finance Department refusing to pay Kapp’s troops.

Moreover, the strike at Berlin was on the 17th assuming big proportions. The city was without gas, had no means of transport, and the restaurants were closed.

It was thought Kapp signed a decree ordering death to the leaders of any strikes. Only Kapp’s military colleagues continued to struggle. The civil executive was then in charge of the Under Secretaries of Ebert’s Ministry, who remained at Berlin when the members of the Cabinet fled to Stuttgart.

1 tie Imperial Office for the distribution of cereals sent an ultimatum to Kapp, demanding his resignation within 24 hours.

KAPP DONE FOR.

LONDON, March 20

Telegrams from Berlin on the 16th, showed the agreement between Ebert and Kapp, that was published officially only amounted to proposals, which Kapp sent to Stuttgart, but Ebert, Noske, and Bauer declined to consider them. The collapse of the Kapp Party is regarded as complete. Berlin people were greatly relieved. WHERE tS KAPP? BERLIN, March 18; 'Hiere was street fighting all night at Kapp. It is rumoured he has suicided. It is also said that he has been arrrested by the Sparticists. KAPP’S EXIT. LONDON, March 19. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent states Kapp and Luttwitz and their misguided colleagues fled last night in rain and mud to some unknown destination.

The correspondent was present at the Chancellor’s palace when Kapp, pale and worn with a few lriends entered a motor car heaped with luggage and documents, and disappeared high speed.

The Wilmhelmstrasse is quiet. A procession of motors proceeded Kapp, bearing junker officers, eager to escape the wrath to coine. Lincoln (the ex-British M.P. and clergyman) cannot bo found. He is comparatively friendless, and probably would hide his identity in Berlin. NOSKE’S VIEWS AND POLICY. LONDON, March 18. The “Daily Express Stuttgart correspondent interviewed Noskc, who said that he was always certain that the majority of the officer class were not devoted adherents to the Republic; but be did not imagine that they would be such fools as to attempt to overthrow

the Government . 'Most of these likely to attempt to form a counter revolution had already been dismissed and the others feared discharge. Noske added: “I could not dismiss any more because there was an insufficient number of loyal Republicans available. However, I am now purging the army and inflicting the severest punishment. There can be no question of amnestry, for the men are guilty of high treason.”

THE PROSPECTS. The National Assembly will probably return to Berlin in a few days. A radical re-organisation of the old Government, regardless of party, which had begun before the eouj) d’etat, could be carried out speedily. Noske arrived in Berlin by aeroplane to-day, to co-operate in organising the position. IS IT CIVIL WAR? BERLIN, March 18. The Communisits .in Westphalia are rapidly coming to the front. They are attacking both Noslte’s and the Revolutionary troops. The Communists at Weeter attacked the Reichwehr. The latter brought a battalion of artillery. The Communists captured there guns forthwith. They then executed all the officers. A similar affair occurred at Lenne, where the Communists were victorious. Violent anti-Kapp demonstrations took place at Stettin, and Kiel. A telegram stated fighting between students, soldiers and workmen continued throughout Thursday at Kiel, in which many were killed. It is believed that Kapp fled to East Prussia.

The garrison at Wilhelmshaven revolted and imprisoned the whole of the ol-fic-ers of the corps, numbering 400, because they sympathised with Kapp.

The “Daily Mail’s” Berlin correspondent states that Government machine guns fired on a crowd at Potsdam and 12 were killed and many wounded. Seven working men were killed in the Uhlandstrasse. Others were killed and ounded at Charlottenburg. Details of all the casualties are not available. The Government troops usefJ tanks at Dresden, where after a fierce struggle, the workers captured the tanks and 50 were killled and 480 wounded. Armed workers in the mining districts have attacked the troops. There was street fighting all night at Hanover. Armoured cars swept through the streets, firing on the crowds, while the inhabitants replied from their windows. There were many casualties.

THE EX-KAISER, AMSTERDAM, March 16

A number of Germans of high rank visited Amerongen recently, but were not permitted to have personal conversation with the ex-Kaiser.

HAGUE, March 17

The Dutch Prime Minister states the ex-Kaiser has assured the Government lie will abstain from any political action, and consequently will not compromise Holland politically. * A Royal decree simultaneously lays down that the ex-Kaiser’s residence shall be the province of Utrecht. The Government will fix the exact localty later on.

GOOD NE'W;S. BERLIN, March 20 The general strike has ended.

NEW GERMAN CABINET. AMSTERDAM, March 18

It is expected that a new German Cabinet will be constituted on Friday including Herr Schiffer, Chancellor, Von Suckt, War Minister; Herr Ouno, Finance Minister.

Interviewed, Trebitsch Lincoln, a former English M.P., said he lias laboured hard for the last six months against President Ebert’s Government.. He was not ashamed to admit it. The new regime, he said, however, was not reactionary. When questioned, he added: “If they were, I probably would still be associated with them. I have my own aims and purposes, but I refuse to disclose them. It is difficult to say wliat nationality I am. Certainly, I am not English.” SPARTA CISTS CAPTURE, ESSEN. LONDON, March 20

A hundred thousand Spartacists have captured E'ssen. There lias been terrific lighting. A Soviet Republic has been declared.

The Allies are prepared to invade Germany unless there is an early ending of the revolutionary outbreak.

CONFUSED GERMANY. LONDON, March 16. The situation in Germany is still confused and telegrams from Stuttgart deny the Bauer Government is negotiating with Kapp. , Premier Bauer declared Kapp must resign unconditionally.

Kapp on the other hand, replied that Mayer left Stuttgart with proposals for a compromise. THE FIGHTING. COPENHAGEN, March 16. Berlin telegrams state the fighting continued in many German towns. Troops fired on a socialist demonstration at Leipzig, killing twenty and wounding sixty. There was some street fighting at Dresden. The announcement of the compromise caused many strikers to resume work. Nevertheless Berlin is practically 'solated, through the railway strike. A number of strikers were killed ’n the Moabite district. BERLIN, March 16.

Tile Democratic party issued a proclamation ordering its supporters to cease all except indispensible work, while the traitor Kapp usurped power. It appealed to officials to accept aiders only from the legitmate Government. It explained its action is not a strike, but a unanimous protect against q. criminal violation of the constitution.