BAVARIAN UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1922, Page 5

BAVARIAN UNREST.

THE SITUATION GRAVE. COERCIVE MEASURES FEARED. By Telegraph.—Prms Aa«D.—Copyrlfiit. Berlin, July 25. A serious crisis is threatened in consequence of Bavaria’s repudiation of the law for the protection of the Republic, formulated and endorsed by the Reichstag after the murder of Dr. Rethenau, on the ground that it infringes Bavaria’s sovereign rigfate. Bavaria has now substituted a draft Bill arrogating to itself the right to create and control a special police force and take independent emergency measures. The Central Government has replied that Bavaria’s attitude is legally untenable. The situation is grave and the Ministers have ibeen recalled to Berlin. ■Resignations have already been canvassed. The Vorwaerts publishes the opinions of prominent Bavarians, in which it is stated frankly that the Bavarians are preparing for separation and the establishment of their own kingdom. The Daily Mail’s Bavarian correspondent reports that the situation is such that .foreigners and Germans, other than Bavarians, are leaving Bavaria, fearing coercive measures. The trains are crowded. London, July 26. The Premier, Herr Lerehefeld, in a speech in the Bavarian Diet, said that while sliaring abhorrence at the murder of Dr. Rathenau, he, regretted that the politicians in Berlin liad enacted antiDemocratic measures tending towards class domination and the establishment of a centralised State, ruthlessly ignoring the autonomy of the Federal States. Bavaria regarded it as an encroachment on Bavarian judicial rights. He admitted that other Federal States did not support Bavaria’s objections, but protested that the atmosphere in Berlin was poisoned against Bavaria by persons in receipt of French pay. He concluded by saying that Bavaria’s resistance to the Reichstag’s measures did not affect her loyalty to the Empire. The Diet passed a vote of confidence in the Government. Received July 27, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, July 26. A semi-official communique states Bavaria’s action has created a serious political situation. The Central Government is determined to resolutely protect the rights of the Reich. The Munich Corporation condemned the Diet’s action.