A REIGN OF TERROR.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1920, Page 5

A REIGN OF TERROR.

REDS PLUNDERING IN SAXONY. By T«legraph.~Pras» Assn.—Copyright. Berlin, April 12. A fuller account of Hoelz's reign of terror states that .he spent Saturday plundering Plauen. His Red Guards, with loaded rifles, raided the cafes and restaurants. As soon as Hoelz learnt the Reichswehr were advancing on Falkenßtein he ordered fire committees to set to work. He gave owners ten minutes to get clear of -he buildings, which were drenched with petrol before they were ignited. A sea of flame ringed the town for several hours.

The Red Guards demanded their money or their life from residents at hotels and collected hundreds of thousands of marks. They also seized hostages who wera sent to Falkenstein 'fistic, which was Hoelz's headquarters. There was considerable ;huotin ir throughout the day.' The terrorists withdrew in the evening and commenced running about panic-stricken. Meanwhile Hoelz and his comrades had a gay time with wine, song and revel in the ancient baronial castle. Their jollity developed into a drunken orgy until early in the morning. They entered motors at three o'clock and dashed to the frontier, where the authorities prevented their crossing into Czecho-Slovakia. Hoelz s band has taken refuge in Klingenthal. Saxonv. He says he is not eo silly as to fight the Re'ichwehr, but everything will be burned or blown skv high and bourgeois blood will flow in bucKetfuls. The Red Army failed in the Ruhr district, but "I 'will do things better here and will set the stone of world revolution rolling," However Hoelz soon fled.—Aus -N.Z. Cable Assn' Received April 15, 12,5 a.m. _ Berlin, April 13. Hoelz Las suddenly reappeared at Plauen. Incendiarv detachments terrorised manufacturers and business firms', Hoelz is exacting a million marks rfiHßoin to save the factories.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.