FIERCE FIGHTS IN BERLIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 9

FIERCE FIGHTS IN BERLIN.

DRASTIC METHODS USED. SLAUGHTER AND PILLAGE. ATTACKS BY AEROPLANE. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Reed. 9.45 p.m.) AMSTERDAM. Mar. 13. The Spartacists, after capturing the police headquarters in Berlin, murdered 70 of the defenders. Only six escaped. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Reed. 11.15 p.m.) NEW YORK. Mar. 15. Berlin messages state that the Spartacists, driven to desperation by a losing fight, are now attacking civilians and Government forces alike. The Spartacist bombing aeroplanes are indiscriminately showering missives over the city. Spartacist plundering parties are robbing sections of the city. EXTREME ELEMENT ARMED. MURDER DONE WHOLESALE. (Received 8.40 p.m.) ' United Service. LONDON, Mar. 13. A correspondent at Weimar writes: In the latest fighting the Spartacists armed criminals, burglars, footpads, homicidal maniacs, and 100,000 army deserters, who were hiding in Berlin and in the forests. When prisoners were taken they were compelled to climb into carts in twenties, and were shot as 'they were mounting them. The bodies were driven off. A female Spartacist shot 20 with her own hand. CAPTURE OF SUBURB. GOVERNMENT SUCCESS. A, and N.Z. LONDON. Mar. 13. German Government forces have captured Lichtenberg, the eastern suburb of Berlin, which the Spartacists held, thus overcoming the whole of the resistance in this quarter of the capital. The Government troops are successfully using sulphur fumes to smoke out the Spartacists from their principal strongholds.