CLASH IN BERLIN

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1919, Page 7

CLASH IN BERLIN

• GOVERNMENT VICTORY, -'i TYPICAL STREET SCENES. '" FIRM ACTION BY NOSKB. Wliat Liebknecht pompously announced as the second German revolution has failed this time. The first battle in the German civil war lias ended in a victory for the Government, wrote the special correspondent of the London Times from Stockholm, under date January 14. Now on neutral ground, free from German censorship, I can give a resume of the history of the last week. It was certainly a tactical mistake of "General" Liebknecht to begin the battle on the Sunday night (January 5). If he had waited until January 18 or 19 he would have succeeded in disturbing seriously the elections, at least in Berlin. What' decided him to start then was partly because the Government, aware, through his own and Rosa Luxemburg's indiscretions, that-they intended to attempt to hinder the elections by violence, were taking measures to prevent such action. Then the dismissal of Eichorn from the Police Presidency gave Liebknecht a good excuse to send an ultimatum, and lie hoped that his cause was strong enough to make the Independent Socialists join his colors. It is true that Eichorn was the absurdest Police President that ever existed outside the comedy stage, disarming the police and arming the mob, but from the Socialist standpoint the Government had no authority to dismiss him, as one of the most important points of the, Socialist programme is that officials are elected by the people and cannot be nominated or dismissed by the Government. This made a number of Independents take part in the demonstrations in favor of Eichorn and against the Government on Sunday, January 5, but, when it came fighting, mostf mf the Independents became neutral, though many showed strong sympathy with the Spartacus people. Warfare by Shouting. The strategy and tactics of civil warfare in a big city are somewhat different from those of ordinary war, and Liebknecht had the advantage not only of the initiative, but also of having by his side counsellor and lieutenants experienced in this special kind of warfare, such as Radek, alias Sobelsolra, and other Russian Bolshevists. Therefore, he knew which were strategically the most important positions, and managed to' secure them almost without a fight, as tlw' Government had not had the foresight to man them with sufficient garrisons, and the Government troops had no,t clear instructions to defend them. When hostilities began on Monday Liebknecht was in a, strong strategic position, and if lie had then at once made a re'olute attack on the Government in the Wilhelmstrasse he would probably have won this battleRut on Mondav and the blood evidently was not hot enough on either side for serious fighting. Endless columns of men and women marched through the «treets shouting "IToch! Horh" for liebknecht and Eichorn and "Nieder! Nieder!" for (he Government if they were Spartacists, and "Hoch!" for the Government and "Nieder!" for the Spartacists if they were Majority Socialists When they met they tried to shout down each other, and sometimes it came to fights with fists, sticks, and umbrellas. For three days' and three nights the whole city rang without interruption with the "ffoch!" and ■'Nieder!'" shouts of a hundred thousand voices. From my hotel in Wilhelmsplatz it sounded like a storm at sea. Gradually the masses became almost physically intoxicated with their own shouting, and friction in the streets made their blood hot. Finally the Spartacists gave war, and the street covered with broken flagstaff's, umbrellas, and crushed hats, remained in the hands of the Majority Socialists.

Junker' Attitude While I was lunching at the Kaiserhof on Monday, suddenly, for the first time, I heard the shouts, so often repeated, "Take cover, they are firing'" Men, women, and children ran for their livfs from the Wilhclmstrasse towards the side streets. The first shots had been fired in Liepzigstrasse A few minutes afterwards hand grenades suddenly exploded just outside the restaurant window, and an qid man lay bleeding on the pavement. What followed in the restaurant is almost sjhnbolic of the whole attitude of the upper classes in these days, The curtains were drawn, lamps lit, and, «i?hing and muttering curses en the mob, junkers and business men went on with their lunch or ordered a brandy to steady their nerves- But not one of these fine gentlemen even thought of taking a rifle to go out and fight against the Bolshevists, though they bate and fear them. Fighting thoy leave to the Government and the Majority Socialists I know many men of the upper classes keep rifles and hand grenades in their houses for defence against Bolshevist plunderers, hut unless their own homes are attacked they will not fight. It was not until towards the end of the week that battalions nf students and officers were organised, and then only comparatively snifill numbers joined-

NOSKF. THE OtfF. STRONG MAN. The fights en Monday and Tuesday were mere vanguard actions, but on Wednesday the big Spartacus offensive began. It was then already too late; Liebknecht had mis«ed his chance. The Government had finally realised how scions the situation was and the necessity of putting force against force. Workmen were armed and soldiers brought from all part; of the .country. Almost ovev.vwhere the. ; Government troops held their ground, fighting better fie more their confidence in their leader, Herr Noske, grew. Herr Noske is certainly the man who saved the situation and animated the Government and the Majoritv in victory. Ho is considered th» onlv man of action in the whole Government. Thanks to him, the battle jwas practically won on Friday, when the Spartacus offensive was broken and the Government troops took the initiative. T am told that Herr Noske from the hcC'inning refused to treat with the revolutionists, and insisted on their unconditional capitulation.

LANGUID LADY wants to meet Curate— tractable and sweet- Mustn't back the slim gee-gee. Must drink Suratura Tea.—'Mrs Wimples, Cupid Street. IT DOESN'T MATTER whatever you do, or whatever you think or be, you'll always be sprightly and blithe and gay, so long as you drink three times a day superb Suratura Tea. 'TWAS SORROW for Molly McGunip when she fell down the stairs with a bump. But now she sits surer, she drinks Suratura, and can't get the blue or the hump. THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN of Algiers, who, careless of scoffings and jeers, drank always with glee Suratura (that's TEA!), and now he is Mayer of Algiers. "WHY SHOULD YOU go to the dogs day by day, evening by evening get drunker? Drink Suratura—an excellent way that to reform. Take my tip— William Bunker." MISS BRIGHTEYES went out motoring, as sweat and fragrant as the Spring. She took, to keep her company, and to brace up her nerves maybe, a flash of Suratura Tea. She waa ftknowledgeable She! THERE WAS a young lady named Bruce, who was always light-hearted and spruce: for she drank Suratura, which made each joy purer. It is joy's most infallible juice! A FESTIVE YOUNG OX was just packing his box to go for a trip to the sea, when his mother cried, "Silly, you've left out the billy, and your pet Suratura Tea!" IF YOU'RE on honey-mooning bent, be it in Carnival or Lent, your honeymoon's .a safe success wherVr you be, if yon drink only—have a guess—th* PERFECT TEA." Perfection's Suratura -See, THE MERRY Coquettes camped out on th£ 'beach; they'd some cream-cakes, some doughnuts, some jam, and a peach: and to make their enjoyment as sure as could be, thc-y had brought Suratura, the exquisite Tea. AFTER ALL, flavor counts first. Tho hugo popularity of Suratura Tea is primarily due to the fact that its flavor is perfect. One trial will convince. Quality "D", 2/4; "X", 2/6. THIS ISN'T A GAG—it's a word to the wise- If you want to succeed with your life and wife, drink always with gladness wherever vou be the drink that is b:st—Suratura, Tea.

THE TIGER and the kangaroo, the wagtail and the pout, were feeling glum one afternoon, and met to talk it out. Thoy soon were chuckling cheerfully over their Suratura Tea.

TO NORTH and South, to Ea*t and West, the people who find life the best, are those who sweeten life with '.est; and life's best sweetened, you'll agree, by drinking Suratura Tea.

POLLY WOPPETT was a merry roguish little knave—drank her Uncle's Suratura when he went to 9have. Uncle straightway cut his throat, his grief it was so great. Pollv wrote his funeral notiep. Why should critics prate?