THE PLEBISCITE

Grey River Argus, 11 August 1931, Page 5

THE PLEBISCITE

On a Dissolution FATAL RIOTS DEVELOP. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable issn.) BERLIN, August 9. Germany is at fever heat over Sunday ’s plebiscite for the dissolution of the Prussian Diet. It appears certain that the plebiscite.’Oh the dissolution of the Prussian Diet has failed, 't'he figures thus far indicate that only in a few districts of East Prussia, Pomerania and Holstein did more than 50 per cent, of tho electors vote. Elsewhere the majority refrained.

The plebiscite passed off most quietly, particularly in Berlin. The Communists, set fire to several advertising pillars in the streets, but otherwise the day was without incident. Seventy arrests ’ wore made for obstruction, and the distribution of forbidden leaflets. 4

Twelve . thousand policemen were patrolling Berlin throughout the weekend. They had 1 been ordered to shoot if necessary to quell riots. Already there have been several clashes, involving Moodshed.

Although the day whs quiet, late in the evening a serious Situation developed, arid there were scenes reminiscent of the revolution.

Four police 1 are already reported killed by bullets of Communists demonstrators. At least eight demonstrators were killed, but many were wounded. The Humber of deaths of rioters may be considerably more. '

The dibtfiet round Bulow Platz, whei'e are the offices of the “Red Flag,’’ and the Communists have headtjnarters, has been ctit off. Armoured ears, machine guns and search-' light" are guarding the approaches. The police are breaking up all the Commufiist 'meetings. 'Considerable firing can still bo heard.

Alexandra Platz was also the scene of sharp fighting, which, continues in complete da'iim'ess, the Communists firing volley after volley from houses adjacent to" Buloy Platz, which the police occupy. ■' The police searchlights are playing on suspected houses in order to ascertain where to attack. ,

The police, with drawn revolvers, cleared the Bjilow Platz by marching out more thair’a thousand Communists with ’ hands raised; 1,1

Latest reports state that d(t een Communists are dead, but the casualties are doubtful because most were carried away to a secret ' first aid depot,

Communists ferociously assaulted the “Daily JJxpress” correspondent, beieving him to lie a fascist.

Popular Verdict AGAINST DISSOLUTION. (Aus. & N.Z Cab'e Assn.) ‘ 1 ? BEKX'TX- August 10There is general relief in Germany i at the news' that the referendum has failed. It was felt that "if it had sue-1 ceedeil, tnefl foreign ifonfidenee in Ger-1 man stability 'v.'Onid be shaken, and that the country woiild 'be plunged into chaos. '' ' ,T " ONLY THIRD OF VOTERS. ‘ ■ MCI V ' -C ■’ FOiR DISSOLUTION. BERLIN, August 10. . The final figures show that, out of! 20,500,000 ’possible votes,’ only 37 per | cent, of the electorate favoured the' Nationalist referendum for a dissolution. ' | The rioting in Berlin is now well in.

hand, and the police are now making a house to house starch in' the neighbourhood of Bulow Platz for armed) CSmninntsts. ’ 1 | TRAIN BLOWN UH. | NAZIS SUSPECTED. BERLIN, August 9. Three passengers were seriously aiid sixteen slightly injured through an attempt to blow up the Basel-Berlin express. The driver' while passing \ .Tuetrbog station, heard a noise and; immediately applied the brakes, in an attempt to stop. Before he was able ( to do so, seven coaches, passenger compartments, a luggage van and dining car were derailed, falling down a bank. Investigation reveals that the explo-. sion hurled up several yards of rail. The criminals connected an explosive t by means of two hundred yards of wire 'with a battery hidden' in bushes, ( and also laid iron sleeperg oh the rails

in the event of the explosion failing. This'outrage is attributed to’fanatics. Although Nazi newspapers were found fixed to 'neighbouring telegraph poles, the Nazi officials deny complicity. Police Opinion 1 COMMUNISTS TRAINED FOR RIOTING. | (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) BERLIN, August 10. The.police believe that' .the out-' I breaks are the Work of a specially- | train'd street fighting corps of Com- | munists. | The police have been n ow ordered to fire at any open windows. The police had cleared the Bulow' Platz in Berlin by midnight, and they stood guard with a Red Cross' detachment behind them, and kept searchlights playing on the approaches to! the Square.