GERMAN DILEMMA

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1920, Page 5

GERMAN DILEMMA

t I A CONFUSED SITUATION. - BECOMING WORSE. ALLIED ACTION SUGGESTED. By T»legr*pb.—Pw«i Ann—Copyright. Received March 19,10.15 a.iji. London, March 18. .The situation in Germany is rapidly tfeosiiiig worse. There is now a triangular warfare between the Communists Mid th* supporters of Ebert and Kapp. The Communists are obtaining the up- . per hud in numerous centres, notably ill Westphalia. They have erected barricades in Berlin, Leipzig and elsewhere. Ebert returned to the capital and ordered the arrest of the ringleaders of the coup d'etat. The Allies warned Burgomasters in the neutral zone that they will advance unless order is maintained. The latest Berlin messages indicate that the situation is still confused, and that it will probably be impossible to determine the success of the revolution until to-morrow, when it is anticipated the general strike will become operative. . It is Understood that the Premier, Herr Bauer, intends to ask tife Entente for lailitwry aid. Meanwhile reports show that the new -Government has gained the adherence of itlw troops in various parts, notably in 'Southern Germany. A collision between workmen and the jwlice at Frankfort resulted in fifteen (Civilians being killed and a hundred wounded. The crowd seized the depot for arma and forced the police to leave •the city. So far there has been a complete absence of such conflicts in .Berlin, where the military have the situation well hi hand. There' have been serious riots at Essen, in Which thirty were killed and eighty injured. A general strike has. been ordered at Krupp's.—Aus.-N.Z. j Cable Assn. WHY THE REVOLT FAILED. APATHY OF GENERAL PUBLIC. (SOCIALISTS STAND ALOOF. Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. London, March 16. The ending of the Geunan coup d'etat astonished «uid puzzled diplomatic circles Apparently neither party was able to arouse enthusiasm in the general body of the people, whose attitude was one of utter lassitude and apathy. The new Government is also embarrassed by the lack of support from experienced politicians, and the fact that the Independent Socialists are leading a general strike movement and forming Labor Councils throughout the country, particularly in the Essen region and Silesia. The Independent Socialists generally are opposed to both Kapp and Ebert, which, perhaps, is the most potent argument for the extraordinary alliance of the revolutionaries and the counter revolutionaries. The compromise is a good bargain for Kapp's Party, as Government by experts means government by bureaucrats. A curious innovation in the compromise is the setting up inside the Reichstag qf a second chamber called the Chamber of Work, which is exclusively of an economic and industrial character, upon which labor will sit with capital and experts. The selection of an Imperial President will be by a plebiscite, which, it is arranged, should result in the election of a popular -general, such as ffindenburg. The counter-revolutionaries had th.» whole-hearted support of the troops, even in South Germany. The younger officers of eight thousand regulars in Berlin and twenty thousand militia, who had been trained during the past year by Captain Kapp, strongly favored resorting to force, . as they were convinced they had sufficient troops to break down all the working class resistance, but the threat o£ a general strike persuaded Kapp and his colleagues it would be better to compro--Bkitfc~-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KAPP SHOWS HIS HAND. MONARCHAL VIEWS ENTERTAINED GOVERNMENT WANTS PEACE. Received March 19, 8.5 p.m. Berlin, March 19. The new Chancellor informed British newspaper correspondents that he believed the Germans preferred a Republic. The new Government entertained Monarchial views, but it would support the constitution. The Government would not reintroduce compulsory enlistment, as it' wanted peace at home and abroad. The right wing of the old National Liberals decided to support the new Government in view of its promise to hold the elections within two months. Kapp's efforts to induce the Independent SocialSat* tp participate in the Government proved fruitless.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WHY KAPP RESIGNED. HIS ESSENTIAL DEMANDS MET. Received March 19, 11.15 p.m. Copenhagen, March 16. •ut£p, in an official statement, attributes his resignation to the fact that Bauer's Government decided to carry out the essential political demands made baton the coup d'etat. Kapp therefore reniggti the executive power into the hands 1 of the nilitvry comrnanflfir-ia- chief . \ BfHtprßtttk*.

AN UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK.

A RAPIDLY CHANCING SITUATION. 4 _j FEAR OF A SOVIET. Received March 10, 2.20 pin. London, March 18. George stated there had been no communication before the coup d'etat between the Allied representatives in Germany and the leaders of the coup d'etat. In view of the rapidly cJi.mging .situation in Germany at the Government had not considered any fresh statement of policy possible, but the matter would be further considered pnsently. He gave an assurance that the Government and the Allies intended to see that the Peace Treaty was observed. Mr. Lloyd George said the latest reports from Germany state it is hoped the Centre Democratic Party and the Socialist Parties will form a provisional Government in Berlin to carry on affairs till definite arrangements' 1 are made with the old Government at Stuttegart. The resignation of Dr. Kapp was doubtless due to the fact that his position had become impossible owing to the popular disapproval, the refusal of the oM Government to negotiate, the unreliability of many of his troops, and the growing disorder. Many officers in Berlin had stated that they'had been tricked into supporting the coup d'etat and announced their adherence to the old Government. _ The most prions factor is the attitude of the Independents, who refuse to co-operate with either Government e.veept on terras amounting to the establishment of a Soviet Republic. Grava disorders are expected all over the country owing to a reviral of the Spartacist movement.—lmperial Service. ANOTHER PROCLAMATION. COMMENTS ON EX-KAISER'S LIFE. Received March 19, 3.10 p.m. London, March 15. A Berlin wireless message states the new Government's proclamation says:— The old Government poured venom on 1 the ex-Kaiser's flight, which they characterised as desertion of the colors, whereas it only merited less severe condemnation- This same <"v<>rnment has now forsaken its dutv left Berlin without defending itself, its statement that the troops proved unreliable was made solely in order to cause the fliahfc to be regarded in a more favorable light—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STRIKE IN BERLIN. THE STOPPAGE NOW GENERAL. FEELING IX SOUTHERN GERMANY. Received March 19, 3.10 p.m. Copenhagen, March 15. Advices declare a general strike is complete in Berlin. Gas, electricity, and water are not obtainable, and communication between Berlin and Hamburg is interrupted. Luder.dorfT visited the Imperial Chancellery in uniform. It is believed all peoples in Southern Germany stand solidly behind the old Government. It is understood the National Assembly has been summoned to meet at Stuttgart on' the 10th. inat.—Aus.-N.Z-Cable Assn. WATCHING THE EX-CROWN . PRINCE. NO DESIRE TO ESCAPE. Received March 19, 9.15 pim. | London, March 18Amsterdam advices state a destroyer has arrived at Wieringen to guard the ex-Crown Prince, who informed the police he does not intend to flee in the present circumstances.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OLD GOVERNMENT FIRM. OPPOSITION TO THE NEW REGIME. New York, March 17. The Stuttgart correspondent of the .Chicago News interviewed Herr KosKe, who said: "Wo are ready to take up a life and death struggle with Dr. Kapp and General Luttwitz. They are mistaken if they think we fear them. There will be bitter and bloody fighting if the next fews days does not see the overthrow of the dictatorship. The Majority parties do not stand for a military dictatorship backed by only a handful, and whilst the Right Wing parties are non-committal, it. is safe to say they would soon rally to the support of the constitutional Government f—Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn. PLANS OF THE ALLIES. FURTHER OCCUPATION PROPOSED. Paris, March 15. Le Journal says the recommendations of the Ambassadors' Council arc emphatic and include the occupation of Berlin, Essen, and the Ruhr district. _ Herr Mayer, German Charge d'Affaires, informed the French Foreign Ofiice that Bauer's Government was the only regular one. Herr Mayer believes that the present military coup d'etat will not reecive the support of the German people.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUICIDE OF KAPP REPORTED. SOVIET REPUBLICS PROCLAIMED. ' Berlin, March' 18. The counter-revolution haß collapsedIt is reported that Dr. Kapp has committed suicide. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, March 15. The Hoffmann Government in Bavaria has resigned. It is reported that Luttwitz's troops are marching on Hamburg. A Soviet Republic has been proclaimed at Sol and also at Schweinfurt. The garrison at Miinster remains loyal to Bauer's Government. Breslau adheres to Kapp. Thirty have been arrested, including the loyal leader of the Independents. It if reported that workers in the Ruhr basin oppose a general strike, / -• --

THE AGREEMENT.

HOW IT WAS ARRANGED. THE STRIKE ORDER CANCELLED. Received March 19, 10.10 p.m. Paris, March 10. Details of the agreement between Ebert and Kapp are confined to a. summary in a special edition of the Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, sold in Berlin on Monday morning.. No comments of English correspondents have yet been received. According to a telegram from Berlin, Ebert has cancelled the order for a general strike. Generals Marker and Gro-' ncr were chiefly responsible for arranging the compromise. Groner wrote an appeal to Hindenburg, asking him'not to support the Kapp-Luttwitz Government, which was -impossible for Germany. Groner added that it would be dangerous if West and South Germany separated from the rest. When Ebert and Noske approached Marker he pointed out the difficulty of his position. He said he was no politician, and only desired to maintain order and guarantee the people against famine. He then got into communication with Berlin and assisted to secure the com-promise.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE EX-KAISER NEUTRAL. HOLLAND NOT COMPROMISED. Received March 19, 11,15 p.m. The Hague, March 17. The Prime Minister states the ex-Kai-ser has assured the Government lie will abstain from any political action. Consequently he will not compromise Holland politically. A Royal decree simultaneously lays it down that the exKaiser's residence shall be the province of Utrecht. The Government will fix the exact locality later.—Reuter Service. THE NEW LEADERS. THEIR FLIGHT REPORTED. Received March 19, 1.50 p.m. Berlin, March 18. It is reported that Kapp and Luttwitz have fled from Berlin. An unconfirmed report from Copenhagen states Hindenburg advised Kapp to resign.—Times Service. Berlin, March 18. A Soviet Republic has been proclaimed at Eisleben, in Saxony. The troops defeated the armed communists at Elberfeld, and drove a thousand of them into the occupied territory where they were disarmed bv the British.