THE REVOLUTION IN GERMANY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16398, 18 December 1918, Page 7

THE REVOLUTION IN GERMANY.

AN OMINOUS SITUATION

CON FUSION IN BERLIN

(liv Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright > (Australian and XX Cab.o Association.

(Rcuter'B Telegrams.)

AMSTERDAM, December lb. ; Though the past week in Germany , has been calmer, tho general situatioi is ominous. Tho comparative tranquillity arise* through fatigue. Ihe elections show that the extremists failodto secure substantial support lrpm tlie masses of tho people, 'ihits, the movement for an early meeting of the national Assembly gains force. It is unlikely that the re-assembly of the ReicJistag will improve matters, owing to its association with tho old regime, and because it i.s based on an anticipated franchise. The Government is doing tho most it possibly can to convoke the Assembly, but it lacks firmness m , handling the economic situation. ! Somo of Berlin's largest stores and several of the leading newspapers have been brought to a standstill by strikers. Advice of a general strike is being craduallv accepted all over tho country. Aliuut o4,lK)0 members struck at Siemenstadt, near Berlin. Benin's confusion strengthens the separatist tendencies of the west and south. I/iebknocht reigns supreme m Berlin. Tho suburb of Neukoln practicallv manages its own affairs, and does iiot care what the remainder of the capital is doing. Tho position in other suburbs is much the same. Liebknocht opened a so-cajjed Soldiers' Bureau _ m Neukoln. which is really a recruiting offico for the Bolshevist Army. Liebknecht's influoncc is spreading. Liobknecht attacks the Government with increasing violence. He says that a secret treaty with the Entente exists, requiring Germany to immediately disavow the Soviots. , The convocation of the Reichstag by Herr Fehrenbach, tho President, foil like a thunderbolt. Herr Ebert denios the Entente's dissatisfaction. and points out that the Reichstag Federal Council has ceased to exist. COPENHAGEN, December 16. "Vorwaerts" states that Liebknecht is mad, and is suffering from moral insanity, like the Kaiser.

STRIKES IN BERLIN. (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association.) LONDON, December 15. An Amsterdam message states that strikes are spreading in Berlin, where 250,000 workers are out. SOCIALIST DISAGREEMENT. (Australian and'N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegram*.) BERNE, December 16. Herr Ledebour has withdrawn from the Independent Socialist Party, disagreeing with the party's attitude towards tno German Cabinet. THE CHANCELLOR I INTERVIEWED. (Australian and N.Z. Ca.ble AsflociaAion.) LONDON, December 16. The "Daily News'' correspondent interviewed Herr Ebert at Berlin. Herr Ebcrt isaid: "The only fatal menace to the situation is tho economic one. If this is avoided Germany will do well enough. (There is no fear of the restoration of the monarchy, owing. to the Kaiser's flight tearing out the system by tho roots. There is no intention to establish a dictatorship. Tho Government will ask the nation to formulate its will as soon as it is technically passible." The Socialists now admit that the German rulers were responsible for the war, though thfcy did not know it at that time, and anyhow thoy could not desert their own country when it was a question of swimming or sinking. GUARDS LOYAL TO THE REPUBLIC. LONDON, December 16. Advices from Berlin state that the Guard Regiments announce that they intend to remain faithful to the Republic, but they will not allow themselves to be used by party factions or menaced and inßulted by an armed rabble. They will maintain order, and disarm -unruly elements. FOREIGN OFFICE SECRETS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Eeuter's Telegram*.) COPENHAGEN, Dooember J6. Advices from Berlin state that Herr Haa.se, Minister of Foreign Affairs, reports that secret documents at tho German Foreign Office failed to confirm tho existence of a secret Crown Council at Potsdam. The first portion of tho documents, dealing with events up to the German invasion of Belgium, will be published shortly. DISORDER AT HAMBURG. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rcuter'e Telegrams.) COPENHAGEN, December 16. Further rioting i 9 reported at Hamburg, owing to trie British refusing to negotiate with the Seamen's Council. A now Seamen's Council has been j formed at Hamburg. It demands con- ' trol of the entiro mercantile fleet, and | threatens to sink every ship unless all its demands aro met.

SOVIET CONFERENCE ELECTIONS,

• (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) AMSTERDAM, December 16. Berlin advices stato that the Workers' Councils at Berlin elected 6even Majority Socialists, five Independent Socialists, and one Intellectual as their delegates to the Imperial Conference of Soviets.

The Soldiers] Councils at Berlin elected four Majority Socialists and two Independent Socialists, and unanimously protested against the summoning of the Reichstag ns treason, and demanded that the President of the Reichstag should be called to account.