GERMAN TURMOIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1920, Page 7

GERMAN TURMOIL.

SERIOUS CONFLICTS OCCUR. ■AM,TE«' THREAT OF INVASION. GENERAL STRIKE ENDED, By Telegiasha-FKn Asm.—Copyritht. Received March 21, 6.5 p,m. London, March 20. A hundred thousand Spartacists have captured Essen. There has been terrible fining, and' a Soviet Republic was deThe Allies are prepared to invade Germany unless there is an early ending of the revolutionary outbreak. Berlin, March 20. "Plie general strike has elided. Numerous additional conflicts have taken place in the Berlin area. Troops, using rifles, machine guns, and grenades, killed many.—Aus •N.Z. Cable Assn. London, March 16. The situation in Germany is still confused. Telegrams from Stuttgart deny that the B&lier Government is negotiating With Kapp. Bauer declares Kapp must resign unconditionally. Kapp, on the other hand, asserts that Herr Mayer has left Stuttgart with proposals for a compromiie.—Aus.'N.Z. Cable Assn. FIGHTING IN MANY TOWNS. COLLAPSE OF KAPP'S PARTY. VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, March 16. Berlin telegrams state tfiat fighting continues in many German towns. Troops lbed on a Socialist demonstration at Leipsig, killing twenty and wounding sixty. There was Some street fighting at Dresden. The announcement of a compromise Caused many strikers to resume work, nevertheless Berlin is practically isolated through a railway strike. A number of striken were killed in the Moabit dis-trict.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, March 16. The latest telegrams from Berlin show the agreement between Ebert and Kapp Wat published offioially yesterday. It only amounts to the proposals which Kapp sent to Stuttgart, but Ebert, Notice and Bauer declined to consider them. The collapse of Kapp's party is regarded as complete, and there is much bis military display at Berlin, where the people are greatly relieved. Tlere was street fighting all night at Hanover. Armored cars swept through til*' streets, firing on the crowds, while the inhabitants replied from windows. There were many casualties. Violent and bloody anti-Kapp demonstrations took place at Stettin. A Kiel telegram states that fighting between students, soldiers, and workmen eontinned throughout Thursday, in which many were killed. It is now believed Kapp has fled to Etet Prussia. The garrison at Wilhelmshaven revolted and imprisoned all the officers of the corps, numbering four hundred, because they sympathised with Kapp.— Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn. Paris, March 16. Berlin telegrams report serious dissensions in the Kapp Government, chiefly over the attitude towards the workers. The moderate men want to negotiate and military members claim that force of arms is the only way to deal with the partisans of Ebert and Noske. Grave events may be expected. Rioting has not yet been suppressed.—Aus.-N.Z. GU)le Assn. A GRAVE PROPOSAL. DEMOBILISATION SHOULD STOP. " PREPAREDNESS FOR NEW WAR j Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 16. Herr Bauer (the Premier) announced that one .of the gravest proposals that General von Luttwitz submitted to the Berlin Cabinet was that the army demobilisation in accordance with the Versailles Treaty should not be carried out, nor should war material be destroyed. Germany, on the contrary, should, according' to Luttwitz, prepare for a new war. Addresses of fidelity to and confidence In Ebert's Government are pouring in, jftpecialiy from the southern, western and central States. It is reported the Kapp Government settlement' conditions' include an amnesty for all participants in the coup d'etat.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SETTLEMENT OF STRIKE. KDICCLE OF THE ADVENTURE. Bewlved March 21, 1110 p.m. London, March 20. A Berlin message reports the Governttent has accepted the workmen's terms and the strike has been settled. , The latest telegrams from Berlin indicate the Junkers will not survive the ridicule in which their latest adventure has ended, including their flight in taxicabs piled with hat boxes and suit cases, end the pitiable part played by so-called strong men, like LudendorfT and Holffericji. The old Government is also discredited by the fact that Noske crushed the agitation of left wing extremists with ruthless energy, but omitted to 'leal with the even more dangerous Iright wing. The attitude of the Communists, who fcre equally opposed to both Ebert and Kapp, is still uncertain, though the wilway and postal strike are declared i reports <Lattw&fejfyi <swn- ; mittsd siucide and that KapK Iras ar- \ pst«f wl^igijg,—An»>N.Z, CaS&yttfe. '

A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IMPROBABILITY OF COMPROMISE. allied unity urged. Received March 21, 5.6 p.m. Berlin, March 16. The Democratic Party has issued a proclamation ordering its supporters to cease all except indispensable work while the traitor Kapp usurps power. It appeals to officials to accept orders only from the legitimate Government. It explains the action is not a strike, but a unanimous protest against a criminal violation of the constitution.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Paris, March 16. Herr Mayer has informed M. Millerand that news from Stuttgart showed that Ebert's Government declined all dealings with the irregular administration established at Berlin. j It is understood the French Rhine garrisons have been doubled. Belgium is hurrying reinforcements to the frontier. The French Press remarks that the compromise verges on the ridiculous, and the French Government is closely watching the situation. Much confidence cannot ■be placed in either Government, considering that adversaries who come so quickly together could not have had very serious differences. The Matin observes that unity of action between the Allies was never more, necessary than now. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , NEGOTIATIONS SUSPENDED. EARLY ELECTIONS URGED. RAD CONDITIONS IN BERLIN. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m. London, March 17. The latest telegrams indicate the negotiations between the two Governments have been suspended. Kapp virtually resigned after Hindenburg advised his resignation, and wrote to Ebert urging early elections. The position of the new regime is most difficult, owing to the Finance Department refusing to pay Kapp's troops. Moreover, the strike at Berlin iB assuming big proportions. The city is without gas, there are no means of transport, and the restaurants are closed. Though Kapp signed a decree ordering death to the leaders of any strike, only Kapp's military colleagues continue the straggle. The civil executive is in charge of Under-Secretaries of Ebert's Ministry, who remained at Berlin when the members of the Cabinet fled to Stuttgart. The Berlin correspondent, of the Daily News states that Government machineguns fired on the crowd at Potsdam and Erplatz. Twelve were killed and many wounded. Seven working men were killed in the Uhlandstrasse, and others were killed and wounded at Charlottenburg. Details of the casualties are not obtainable. Government troops used tank* at Dresden, where, after a fierce struggle, the workers captured the tanks. Ffty were killed and 4SO wounded. Armed workers in the mining districts are attacking troops.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SERIOUS FIGHTING. GENERAL RISING FEARED. London, March 17. Latest telegrams, via Copenhagen, indicate that there were grave developments and bloody fighting on Tuesday night at Spandau between soldiers and Communists. Sixty-five were killed and a large number wounded. The position last night in Berlin was; most serious, as a general rising by the Socialists was feared. The Independent Socialists and Communists proclaimed a republic and sent Dr. Kapp a list of their Ministry, together with an ultimatum. Dr. Kapp replied by declaring martial law, which will be drastically enforced. Pickets throughout the city have been strengthened, and all citizens must be indoors by nightfall. Hindenburg assumed the role of peacemaker and telegraphed to Dr- Kapp urging the withdrawal of troops an'd the dissolution of the new Government, provided early elections were held. Hindenburg sent Ebert a copy of the telegram. Earlier Berlin messages agreed that both the old and new governments have most to fear from a renewal of the Spartacist outbreaks. Dr. Kapp stated yesterday that he had put aside the negotiations with the old Government in order to concentrate against the Communists. His Government expected a revolt immediately. SPARTACISTS ACTIVE. Stuttgart telegrams state that extreme Radical developments have already begun at Solingen, Essen ana elsewhere in the Rhineland. The Spartacists are only awaiting an opportunity to jeize power and declare a dictatorship. Soviets have been established in several places, including Stuttgart. The Spartacists are relying on the support of the 200,000 Russian prisoners who are still in Germany. A violent agitation in favor of a Soviet Republic and an alliance with Russia has been begun In Berlin by the Independent Socialists and Communists. Yesterday the trouble was originated by workmen charging the military, who were marching in the Brunnenstrasse, playing patriotic airs, several being killed and wounded. Another skirmish took place at Charlottenburg, resulting in a number being killed and wounded. Workmen at Strauseberg, eastward of Berlin, disarmed the town militia- The Spandau casualties were almost entirely confined to civilians. Fights in other parts of the Berlin district continue, including the inner portion near the Castle, where eight were killed and twelve wounded. —Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn. Paris, March 17. A French Charge d'Affaires has arrived at Stuttgart- He is instructed to maintain diplomatic relations with Herr Bauer's Government. Germans at Wiesbaden attacked two female typists attached to the French Mission. One died of her injuries.— Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Berlin. March 17. Dr. Kapp retired, w favor, of some , {hereon of greater authority, piereraDly Ijt of high »»!(. <

END OF REVOLT. FLIGHT OF KAPP AND LUTTWIZ. ■ TO UNKNOWN DESTINATION, Received March 20, 5.5 p.m. London, March 10. The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent states that Dr. Kapp, General von Luttwiz, and their misguided col- j leagues fled last night In the rain and j mud to an unknown destination. The ( correspondent was present at the Chan- \ eellor's Palace when Dr. Kapp, pale and worn, with a few friends, entered a motor ; heaped with luggage and documents. The , motor disappeared at a high speed. ] The YVillielmstrasse is quiet. A pro- i cession of motors preceded Dr. Kapp, A bearing Junker officers, who were eager • to escape the wrath to come. c Lincoln cannot be found. He is prac- i tically friendless, and will probably hide 1 his identity in Berlin, or seek the fron- i tier.. 1 While . Dr. Kapp was escaping, Herr - Bailer's officials were returning. A small ' knot of civilians saw Dr. Kapp go, while his daughter waß standing near by, silently weeping.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. : Amsterdam, March IC. 1 Messages from Berlin state that ! Kapp's position is critical, as Hindenburg , and Helfferich refused to support him. The Imperial office for the distribution t of cereals sent an ultimatum to Kapp, j demanding his resignation within twen- j ty-four hours. j A number of Germans of high rank visited Amerongen recently, but they j were not permitted to have a personal < conversation with the ex-Kaiser. —Aus.- < N.Z. Cable Assn. I AN UNCENSORED STORY. 1 1 OLD FOE OF MILITARISM. j I A PERIL TO EUROPE. Received March 21, 5.5 p.m London, March 17. Interviewed, Trobitseh Lincoln said he had labored hard for the last six months against Ebert's Government, and he was not ashamed to admit it, but the new regime was not reactionary. Questioned, he added: "If tliey were, I would probably still be associated with tliem. I have my own aims and purposes, but refuse to disclose them. It is difficult to say what nationality I am. Certainly I am not English." Mr. Renwick, the Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Berlin, smuggled out a despatch by a courier to the Rhine, giving uneensored news up to Sunday night. He says the political censorship established is of the worst form, and is the merest expression of opinion. Thfi slightest deduction is anathema maranatha to the censorship of Trobitseh Lincoln, with the result that all news cabled has been mere propaganda. The first interview Kapp granted was ] given to a newspaper circulating amongst Germans in the United States. Kapp is finding it extremely difficult to complete his Cabinet, and so far he ha 3 gathered together comparatively unknown men. It may be called a Government of experts, but it is unlikely to inspire the trust of , the people. Even the bulk of the Conser- ! vatives are holding aloof. Mr. Renwick says: '"As I write the situation is developing fast behind the scenes. It is expected the general strike will be effective by Monday. There is talk by a large number of proletarians that if they act then, Berlin streets will run with blood. Kapp's Government is liekly to show little mercy, and if there is trouble the Government will appoint Ludendorif as military dictator to restore order. "The broad mass of the people sees in ■ Kapp's Government only its ancient foe of militarism. The workers have met in secret, but their opinions and plans as ; yet are not disclosed. All non-Prussian provinces are closing their frontiers and separation is spreading by leaps and bounds. About three-quarters of Germany sides with the Bauer Government against the Berlin regime, and the move on the part of the new Government can scarcely fail to lead to civil wai*. "The manner in which Luttwitz carried '■ out his coup showed all the old Prussian skill of organisation. This leads me to express the belief that the enforcement of Part Five of the Treaty—the military: clause—was never so necessary as today. Berlin is' a peril to Europe, and Germany has approached her supreme tragedy. It was brought about by tin; stupidity of the Government, which left Berlin at the mercy of militarism. The Allies' representatives have thus far had. no relations with Kapp's Government."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.