GERMANY'S "RED" PERIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 5

GERMANY'S "RED" PERIL.

PREPARING FOR BAIFELE. i ATTACK ON ESSEN IMMINENT. STARVING COMMUNISTS. Br Telegraph— Association—Conyrisht (Received 5.30 p.m.) <Em«u LONDON. March 22 (delayed). A message from Rotterdam states that the Ebert Government is concentrating its main force near Wesel, 22 miles north-west of Essen, where a Soviet Republic has been proclaimed, preparatory to a great attack on the Communists, the issue of which it is impossible to prophesy. The Oommnnists are mobilising with remarkable speed, but are hampered by scarcity of food. Their supplies win last only three days, after which they will probably rob the countryside. . *

BAUER CABINET RESIGNS.

REPORT FROM MONTREAL..

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 13-40 pjn.) MONTREAL, March 24. A despatch from Berlin states that the Bauer Cabinet has resigned.

WORKERS CONTROL PORT.

CLOSED TO BRITISH SHIPS,

' Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. v (Seed. 1.15 a-m.) LONDON. March 23.

The ** Reds" hold Swinemunde, a German Baltic port on the coast of Pomerania. A British destroyer arriving with supplies for the Inter-Allied Commission, was warned by signal that the Workers' Council did not desire the destroyer to enter the port. The captain, not wishing to cause international complications, anchored outside., and is awaiting instructions.

MENACING OUTLOOK.

SOVIETS SPRINGING UP.

Australian and K.Z. Cabl<» Association. CBecd- 9.30 -m.) LONDON Mar. 22 (delayed).

The Berlin correspondent of the Morning Post interviewed Herr Bauer, Chancellor in the Ebert Government, who said he -was convinced Bolshevism was inevitable in Germany unless the Entente nations gave* pledge of speedy relief, and also declared themselves as much opposed to a Monarchist Reactionary Government as to a Communist Government.

Hbtt Schiffer, Minister for Justice and Vice-Chancellor, admitted the danger of

an immediate Soviet, control of Berlin if the newly-elected factory soviets carried oat their threat to create a central executive. That would mean a Soviet Government. The danger of Communist control throughout the country was equally great. Already three large areas were under Communist control and were utterly demoralised because they had reached actual starvation point, first, the Ruhr district; second, West Saxony and Thuringia; third, Pomerania and Necklenburg. There was grave danger of the Ruhr population raiding for food across the Dutch frontier.

In another interview, Herr Schiffer' said: " The present situation is unparalleled. The Government • troops are insufficient to deal with more than one or two of the present Communist outbreaks. It is impossible to deal with all simultaneously. It is a, solemn fact that we do not possess forces capable of recapturing the country now under Soviet control, nor of disarming the 20,000 'Red' troops, whose numbers are growing in the Ruhr district. If Germany became Soviet, Eastern and Central Europe would immediately follow, and then Spain will be involved. The danger of England doing likewise is less imminent."

FRANCE AND RUHR REGION. OCCUPATION URGED. CBeoeived 7.30 pjn.) United Service. LONDON, Mar. 22 (delayed). The Paris correspondent of the Manchester Guardian states that French Nationalists contend that the advance of German troops into the Ruhr district amounts to a breach of the Versailles treaty, and is sufficient to justify Marshal Foch occupying the whole region. Moreover, intervention is necessary to prevent the Spartacists damaging the coal mines, on which the industries of France depend. The Eclair reports that French railwaymen have been warned to prepare for mobilisation. The General Federation of Labour threatens to organise a series 'of strikes if the Ruhr adventure is undertaken.

ORDER IN • BERLIN.

CITY STRONGLY GARRISONED. A. and N.Z. BERLIN. March 24. The Eberi Government has returned, and discussed the situation at length on Sunday. The city is quiet, but the authorities have taken strong military measures in the event of a conflict. Many of the streets are barricaded and . entrenched, while soldiers with machine -guns are posted at various points, particularly in the industrial districts. The strike situation is improving, the post offices are working, and the railways have partiallv resumed. The factories are still idle, and meetings of workers yesterday favoured continuing the strike. The Naval Brigade and the Iron Division have now arrived at Doberitz.