REVOLT IN BERLIN

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1919, Page 5

REVOLT IN BERLIN

INCREASED EXCITEMENT.

OUT SPARTACUS MISTS, iARTILLERY MAY BE USED. fiEREET (FIGHTING ACUTE, Received Jan. 12, 6.5 p.m. London, Jan. 0. 'A German Government wireless communique states that the excitement in Berlin increased on Wednesday. Street fighting was more lively and widespread. In view of the further failure in the negotiations, the Government continued it* efforts to assemble the order-loving elements, under united organisation, Mining them for the purpose, and systematically clearing out Spartacus nests at the Brandenburg Gate Barracks, the main railway stations, and the police headquarters. There were lively comfcats, no decision being reached by the afternoon.

The Government is determined to per«ist in its energetic attacks, if necessary bombarding the Spartacns haunts, especially the police headquarters, with artiDery and aided by airmen, in order to restore them to the possession of their figHtfol authorities. For the first thne since the outbreak of the revolution, the economic life is seriously disturbed, and street fighting reached an acute stage. The exact casualties are unknown, owing to the destruction of communications, but the numbers killed and injured are grekier than hitherto. Sensational reports are deprecated. Foreigners and neutrals are Bqt hurt, but the railway and tram traf®c remains stoppeed. Students in Berlin placed themselves at Ebert's disposal, forming a Students' CWofu—Aub.-X-Z. Cable Assoc. LIEpQfeCHT NEARLY LYNCHED. AUTHORITIES TAKE DRASTIC STEPS. EXTREMISTS' POSITION' HOPELESS. BED TERROR PROCLAIMED. Received Jan. 12, 6,5 pjn. 2. Copenhagen, Jan. 9. A. message from Berlin states that Ließknecht had a narrow escape ia the Unter den Linden. The crowds assailed this taxj-cab and dragged out Liebknecht j and were on the point of lynching him I when «! party "of armed Spartacusers rushed op aad rescued him- Liebknecht, standing on the roof of the taxi-cab, addressed his supporters. The early Spartacus success was due to the Government's lack oi firmness. The authorities latterly recognised the gravity of the situation and adopted drastic measures. - Ebert's troops are superior in numbers and discipline. The extremists have steadily lost strength in the encounters during the l*st two dav» and their pnvi-on is practically hopelessJl Ttie Government expects soon to regain possession of the telegraph office It is reported that thousands of Russian Bolsheviks have arrived in Berlin, disguised as German Bolaiers, and are forcing the Bpartaeusitea. The latter nave proclaimed a Red terrorism in Berlin. Liebknecht, draped in a Red flag, standing is his motor-car, announced the formation of new proletariat Governpient,fWith himsell as president. The troops refused to disperse hunger riots at Prague, wii<-.re large and deeper ate pillaged the store-houses.— £ns--N.Z. Cable Assoc. GOVERNMENT REINFORCEMENTS. _ poraosts mo bekun. Received Jan. 12, 6JS p-m. Copenhagen, Jan. 10. Great Government reinforcements are pouring into Berlin, including loyal naval forces front Kiel. The directors of tie railways declare that the railways are still in the hands of the Government. A uu. jber of tra'ns ' ai"a running. The Frankfurter Zeitung states that three army corps will be imployed to re-capture the prjwiice of Voseu and to protest Silesii.—-Renter Service. *: GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO. VIOLENCE MUST MEET VIOLENCE. 6PARTACUSERS BLAMED. Received Jan- 12, 6.5 p.m. - . London, Jan. 9. fhe German Government has issued a manifseto to the people, casting the Maine for violence upon the Spartacusers, Who seek absolute power.

The manifesto adds-that the Govern* Bent is taking the necessary steps to destroy the reign of terror. Violence can mly be met With violence. The hour of reckoning is approaching and decisive action will not be long delayed—iAus.-NZ. Cable Assoc. FAI& AT MUNICH. I l-JSM B#celveH Jan. 12, SJS pin. ' Copenhagen, Jan. 8. Ollendorff, who has received the Gov•wnenfs permission to return, arrived •*_Uipsig. The Spartacusers, in an outbreak at J*®"®" on Tuesday, attacked the bank, , *®®e repulsed by macbino-gnus.— Ans.-NJI Cable Asioe.

SPARTACUSERS DISCOURAGED GOVERNMENT CONCENTRATING TROOPS. TO SUPPRESS DISTURBANCES. Received Jan. 12, 5.5 p.m.' Amsterdam, Jan. 8. Berlin reports state that the Spartacusers are discouraged by the meagre results achieved TlTe Government retains possession of the chief buildings, including the Reichstag, and has ejected the Spartacusers from the State printmg office. The latter stole 18,000,000 marks in paper money. The Government is concentrating troops in the suburbs, /or the suppression of disturbances. The Spartacusers have proclaimed a new Government, called a Revolutionary Government Committee—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. SPARTACUSISTS' GOVERNMENT. UNDER A NEW NAME. Received Jan- 11, 5.5 p.m. Berne, Jan. 10. The Spartactitists have established a aew Government styled the Revolutionary Committee, comprising Liebknecht, Ledebour, and Tiek. The last-named is president of the Spartacus League.-* Reutev POPULACE PANIC STRICKEN. ATTEMPT TO CREATE FAMINEReceived Jan- 12, 6.5 p.m. oan. 3. A Berlin message of Friday states that the Spartacusers, attempting to crento a famine, cut oft' the water, gas, and electricity The popuiace is panic-stricken., a mob storming the baker a' shops.—Aua--N.Z. Cable Assoc. LIEBKNECHJ REPORTED KILLED. RIOTING AT HAMBURG; . Received Jan- 12, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, Jan. 11. It is reported that Liebknecht was killed in tho street fighting on Thursday. Serious rioting is reported at Hamburg, Dusseldorff, and Augsburg.—Aus--N.Z Cable Assoc. ' FIGHTING EXPECTED. - EBERT PREFERS BATTLE TO NEGOTIATINGARMISTICE TERMS NOT CARRIED !- OUT. G&EAT SHORTAGE OF MATERIAL. Received Jan- 12, 65 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. ? On Thursday the situation in Berlin was unchanged, but decisive fighting is erpeeted at any moment. The trains and trams nave stopped runmig, us their crews refuss to operate them because they deßlare i( unsafe to travel the streets wiiHe 1 lis Spartacusers are at largeHerr Ebert declares that hp prefers a battle to further negotiations. The Government believr>s it is flow able to overcome armed resistance, as a cavalry division has arrived at the capital. The prevalent belief iu Berlin is that American troops will be tent to restore order

The Frankfurter Zeitung compares the streets of Berlin on Tuesday to a battlefield, artillery fire being continuous for ea hours

The London and Australian press understands that the Allies' occupation of the left bank of the Rhine and three bridges was without untoward 'incident, but the Germans have fallen considerably short of complying \vith the armistice regard--ing handing over material, as there were 385 heavies, 7000 machine-guns, 1000 trench mortars, 000 asropauea with 4376 engines, 130,819 trucks, and SOOO motor lorries deficient at the end of the first month.— Cable Assoc. MANIFESTO BY GOVERNMENT. UEBKNEOHT'S CHALLENGE ACCEPTED APPEAL FOR REPUBLICAN ARMY. Received Jan. 12, 5.5 pjn, London, Jan. 10. According to Berlin advices, the State Government has issued a manifesto to the workers, bourgwiiae, and soldierß, stating that the Spartacusers are extend' ing their domination over Berlin; that Liebknecht has declarrd war co the knife against the non-Socialist population; therefore, the Government has accepted the challenge and appealed l'or the formation of a volunteer Republican guard.—Renter. AMERICAN EMBASSY DAMAGED 20 PERSON'S KILLED. Received Jan, 13, 12.10 a.m. Berlin, Jan. 9. ( Twenty Americana who took refuge in the American Embassy were killed and the building was badly damaged.—Aus. N-Z. Cable Assoc,

THE SPARTACUS PROGRAMME PROLETARIAT TO BE SUPREME. - - » FEDERATION OF STATES. GENERAL CONFISCATION OP ■WEALTH. '' Received Jan. 13, 12.35 a.m. itfew York, Jan. 9. Mr Dosch Fleurot, in a message, states: The Spartacus Bund members gave me a programme of their intentions. They will disarm the soldiers, the police, and others not belonging to the proletariat. They will control all arms and ammunition plants. They will establish a revolutionary tribunal, at which men guilty of prolonging the war will bo tried, including the Holienzollerns, Ludendorff, Hmdenburg, and Tirpitz. They will substitute a federation of States for a Socialist republic. The first itep will be the confiscation of private fortunes and incomes, the cancellation of public debt, including war loans, except small amounts subscribed by poor people Banks, mills, and other commercial enterprises will be confiscated. The leaders said they were determined to carry on the struggle until a working class go\ eminent was established. They said they represented the aspirations of the working class throughout the whole world.—Aus. N.Z. Caiblc Assoc. FIGHTING THE POLES. VEtv.* HEAVY LOSSES. Received Jan. 12, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Jan. 10. Berlin advices state that tiie Poles, advancing from Colmar, encountered a German volunteer company Heavy fighting ensued. The Poles retreated and the Germans captured Colmar and Weissenhoche, the looses on both sides ibeing very heavy.—Reuter Service. MESSAGE OF HOPE AND FRIENDSHIP. FROM BERNARD SHAW AND OTHERS. Received Jan. 13, 1.30 a m. London, Jan. 10. According to a German wireless message, Messrs. Bernard Shaw, Zangwill, Jerome K. Jerome, spiritual and intellectual leaders and jurists, and labor leaders, including Mr. Smillie, sent a Christmas greeting to the German people as follows:—"There is a new era ahead, the modelling of which will be humanity's united tt*'c. Our earnest hope is that it will be a step forward in peace and friendship with the other nations, and thus transform discord into harmony, so that evils will disappear and, in time, the unity of nations be realised- We send you a message of hope and of friendship.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.