Bigger Berlin Riots Expected

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31655, 16 April 1968, Page 15

Bigger Berlin Riots Expected

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WEST BERLIN April 15. West Berlin students organised for even bigger demonstrations today, with no sign of a break in .the five*day old spiral of riot and bloodshed. Left-wing student leaders both in West Berlin and in Frankfurt said the demonstrators planned to join Easter Monday rallies in all major cities during the day, and then march again on publishing houses of the Axel Springer group to try to block the circulation.

The students, betterorganised and equipped than before, are apparently determined to carry on their feud with the Springer group despite warnings by the Chancellor, Dr Kurt Georg Kiesinger, of tougher counter - measures - if disturbances persist. The demonstrators accuse the Springer group—and particularly its mass circulation “Bild Zeitung”—of fostering political intolerance which resulted last Thursday in the

I shooting of their ideological head, Mr Rudi Dutschke. The sterner countermeasures were already in evidence in West Berlin yesterday as mounted police were called in to disperse 5000 demonstrators who fought back with wooden poles, bricks and bare fists in a series of bitter clashes. At least 37 persons were arrested and an unknown number injured in the riots. But by early today student leaders were planning renewed demonstrations, reinforced by about 200 of their ranks released after spending more than 24 hours detained in police barracks. Their aim is to make their actions even more impressive and difficult to counter by the city’s 20,000 police. The students are already equipped with some walkie-talkie sets and want to establish pirate radio to transmit instructions to demonstrators. The Communist-run S-bahn, the city’s overhead railway, has meanwhile announced free travel for the demonstrators. One of the early focal points for demonstrators today is expected to be a rally called by the Left-wing Social Democrats—in opposition within their own party to governing Mayor, Mr Klaus Schuetz—to press for a “new democratic initiative” in the city. In Hamburg, Frankfurt. Munich and other centres the students plan to join antinuclear marchers before switching to the Springer houses in a move which threatens repetition of vio-

lence which hit seven cities last Friday. One of the immediate aims of the demonstrators, who have vowed to continue their challenge to State authority until May 1, is to force expropriation of the Springer publishing concern, which has a large share of the national press. But the “extra-Parliamen-tary opposition,” as they describe themselves, also embrace grievances ranging from university reform to concern over the Vietnam war and West Germany’s future democracy. While observers see the Left-wing outburst as another manifestation of the polarisation towards far Right and far Left on the political scene, the big concern among Government officials is that ordinary people will counter by taking the law into their own hands. Firm repressive measures by the authorities would be popular with many German voters who resent the disturbances, particularly at Easter time. But it is considered doubtful whether toughness will deter the resolute youngsters —and it may even win them sympathy.

Back From Vietnam.—The Australian Minister for the Army (Mr Philip Lynch) said last night that his six-day visit to Australian bases in South Vietnam had been “a unique experience” which had given him a valuable insight into Australia’s role in the conflict.—Saigon, April 15.