GERMANY WITHIN

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1920, Page 2

GERMANY WITHIN

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

PAN GERMAN PLANS

PARIS, March 28,

“l.e Journal’s” Berlin correspondent states it is rumoured that Pan-Germans are planning another coup d ’etat. Von Seeket has disregarded instructions to disband Erliardt’s brigade and the Bal tic troops, and four armoured cars have been added to the brigade and many to the monarchical troops. Haartumn’s severity in maintaining order has exasperated the workers near Potsdam. Several bombs were -fastened under his motor lorry and exploded, blowing them to atoms LUDENDORFF WANTED. BERLIN, March 28. “Vorwnerts” states: “LudendorfPs arrest is demanded, as he is considered the instigator of the recent coup d’etat. He said that lie had lost a second war, but he would ‘continue to the last ditch.’ ” THE RUHR WORKERS. (Reuter Telegrams.) COPENHAGEN, March 25. . A draft agreement between the German Government and the workers in the Westphalian Industrial Region lias' been drawn up. It provides for the disbandment of all reactionary troops, i for the formation by workers of comj mittces of Reichswehr, composed of ! three men out of every thousand inhabitants which force is to displace the advance of Government troops shall not be carried out, if the provisions of the agreement are loyally kept. Another term is that martial law in Ruhr region is being raised immediately. There is a. general amnesty for the workers, and the police, and all citizens, being granted. THE RUHR FIGHTING. LONDON, March 29 The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent in the* Eastern Rhine zone gives a dramatic description of what lie terms a collapse of the workers’ army there directly it came in conflict with disciplined, officered, and well-equipped Government forces.

“I joined the Red Arm y along the Lippe,” he says., “and a few hours later the left wing was broken and the Army was in panic-stricken flight. In Dinslaken, fourteen miles northwest of Essen, I 'saw streets littered with the jetsam of civil war.

“A strange figure in a square was a Rod General, handing orders in envelopes to his men. These formed a pitiful group in ragged clothes, with boys of 15, and old men in its ranks. As one unit moved forward horsemen galloped in and pulled up in the centre of the roadway and cried out: “Turn back. Tell them the Government men are attacking and sending reinforcements.” This unit retreated until a cyclist rode up, bis eyes wild, and bis face pale, and shieked: “Noske has broken through. We are lost. We have no food or ammunition. Wc are betrayed by our leaders.”

A retreat now became general. A few grown men made a stand, but the majority fled, some youths slinking away into the lanes.

Other messages state that four million people in the Ruhr district are now threatened with famine. The Red Army consumed the last of its supplies, thus leaving the rest of the population little or nothing. Supplies from Holland failed. The fighting was very unfavourable for the Reds, whose battalions, the correspondent alleges, were only kept together by terrorism. Anyone Suspected of having tile idea of deserting was shot jmmcdiatelv.

NEW GERMAN CABINET. AMSTERDAM March 25. The “Tolegraf” gives the following as the new German Cabinet:— Chancellor Herr Bauer (Social Demo crat).

Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Justice. Herr Scheffer (Democrat). Foreign Minister Herr Hermann Mill ler (Social Democrat). Minister of the Interior Herr Kock (Democrat). Minister of Defence, Herr Gessler (Democrat). Minister of Transport-, Dr. Bell (Centre Party). > Minister of Finance, Herr Kune (Centre Party). Treasurer, Herr Seferich (Centre Party).

Minister of (Labour. Herr Sehlick (So cial Democrat). Minister of Economics, Herr Roller; Schmidt (Spcia] Democrat). Minister of Restoration, Herr Silbe; Schmidt (Social Democrat). Minister without- portfolio, Herr David (Social Democrat). A MURDEROUS TYRANT BERLIN. March 27. Hartung, whose severity exasperated tlic workers at Potsdam, was one of the officers arresting Rosa Luxemburg and Liehljnecht, whpn the latter were murdered.

THE RUHR RIOTERS. (Received This Day at 8 a.in.) BERLIN, March 28. News from Ruhr district continues 1 disquieting. It is reported the Government has issued an ultimatum to the workers, who are allowed three days to fully observe the truce, otherwise drastic steps will he taken, the commander of 'Reichswelir in Ruhr, visited He reports workers suffered heavy losses in men and material. There is no longer any fear that- they will resume the bombardment of the town.

Berlin Cabinet difficulty. (Received this day at. 9.30 a.mi) BERLIN, March 26. Eleventh hour difficulties have arisen in connection with the reconstruction of the Cabinet. The workers union protest against the' inclusion of three temporary Ministers. Schulers resignation is particularly demanded, in view of his negotiations with Kapp. If bis resignation becomes necessary, the Democrats will withdraw their two other nominees and decline to assist 'lie coalition. Owing "to the impasse, the National Assembly does not- meet- to-day.