DISTRESSED GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10544, 22 March 1920, Page 6

DISTRESSED GERMANY

TURMOIL REIGNS DIFFICULT POSITION OF NEW REGIME. STREET FIGHTING: MANY CASUALTIES. FURTHER DETAILS OF KAPP’S DOWNFALL. ay Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 21, 5.5 pm.) LONDON, March 17. The latest telegrams . indicate that the negotiations between the two Governments have been suspended. Rapp virtually kesigned after Hindenburg advised his resignation, and wrote to Ebert urging early elections. The position of the new regime is most difficult owing to the finance department refusing to pay Rapp’s troops. Moreover, the strike at Berlin is assutn mg big proportions. Tho city is without gas, and there are no means of transport, and the restaurants are closed, though Rapp signed a decree ordering death to the leaders of any strike. Only Rapp’s military colleagues continue _ to struggle. The civil executive is in charge of the Under-Secretaries ol Ebert’s Ministry who remained at Berlin when the members of tho Cabinet fled to Stuttgart. COLLAPSE OF RAPP COMPLETE. (Received March 21. 6.5 p.m.} LONDON, March 16. The latest telegrams from Berlin show that the agreement between Ebert and Rapp, published officially yesterday, only amounts to proposals which Rapp sent to Stuttgart, but Ebert, Noske, and Bauer declined to consider them. The collapse of Knpp’s party is regarded as complete. There is much less military display at Berlin, where the people are greatly relieved. . . There was street fighting all night at Hanover. Armoured cars swept through the streets fifing on the crowds, while the inhabitants replied from windows. There were many casualties. Violent, (bloody anti-Rapp demonstrations took place at Stettin. A Kiel telegram states that fighting between students, soldiers, and workmen continued throughout Thursday, in which many were killed. It is now believed that Rapp fled to East Prussia. The garrison at Wilhelmshaven revolted and imprisoned the whole of the officers of the corps,- numbering 400, because they sympathised with Rapp. JUNKERS WILL NOT SURVIVE. (Received March 31, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. The latest telegrams from Berlin indicate that the Junkers will not »ur rive the ridicule in which their latest adventure ended, and the pitiable part played by, the so-called strong men like Ludendbrff and Helfferich. The old Government was also discredited by tho fact that Noske crushed the agitation of the left wing extremists with ruthless energy, but omitted to deal with the even more dangerous right wing. Tho attitude of the Communists, who are equally opposed to both Ebert and Rapp, is still uncertain, though’ the railway and postal strikes are declared ended. SITUATION STILL CONFUSED. (Received March 31, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 16. v The situation in Germany is still confused. Telegrams from Stuttgart deny that the Bauer Government if negotiating with Rapp. Bauer declares that Rapp must resign unconditionally. Rapp, on the other hand, asserts that Meyer left Stuttgart with proposals for a compromise. TWO SENSATIONAL REPORTS. (Received March 21, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. Hamburg reports that Luttwitz has committed suicide and that Rupp has been arrested at Leipzig.