STARVING GERMANS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11660, 26 October 1923, Page 5

STARVING GERMANS

WIDESPREAD DISORDER GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO DISTRIBUTE CORN. BREAD CARDS ISSUED. By Telegraoh.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z Cable Association (Received October 25, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. October 25. The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent in Berlin says: “ ‘Chaos’ and ‘confusion’ are worn-out terms in connection with Germany. Between Id and 2J would buy at the present rate a« many marks as there were in circulation before the war. Prioes have risen 16U per cent, in 24 houre. Count Kanity, an East Prussian landowner, hastily appointed Food Minister, has reintroduced bread cards, and announces that the Government is buying corn itself, and will resell it to millers and fix the price of bread. As Germany had one of . the best harvests known, it must only he a Question of distribution, and persuading the juntas to release the flour which they are holding up.” COMMUNIST COUP. The correspondent is of opinion that the Communists have failed in their big effort to capture Port Hamburg, though their plans were carefully laid. By spring the railway stations and j tearing up the suburban, lines they hoped to make themselves masters of the city, and prevent help coming from outside. Trenches were dug in the Hamburg streets, and barricades were constructed by youths and men decorated with the Soviet star on. their collars. They tore up paving-stoues, dm.gged seats from restaurants, and cut down many fine trees. Tlie police have now retaken the greater number of the stations, by means of attacks witn hand-grenades. MONEY FOR BAVARIA. Meanwhile money is pouring into Bavaria from sympathisers with Hitler’s activist policy, not only from Germany, but from Czecho-Slovakia and Hungary, who believe that the achievement by the Bavarjans of military autonomy will rouse the Nationalist elements throughout the old German Empire. Von Seecht has asked tho Government to allow him to march into Bavaria and bring von Lossow and his troops to their senses. The greater part of the German army favours military action against Bavaria and von Lossow.

FIGHTING IN HAMDURG

COMMUNISTS ENTRENCHED. WARSHIPS IN HARBOUR. Aut rMian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 25, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, October 24. Heavy fighting occurred at Hamburg to-day. A cruiser and three torpedo-boats have arrived in the harbour. The people are in a state of high tension, anticipating a general outbreak of lawlessness and looting. The Communists are entrenched 30 miles from the city, and soldiers are marching to them. Sniping from the windows and the roofs was continued all night. The police are using machine-guns to control the docks, where the death-roll is already 25. The proletarian militia in Bremen is trying to bring about a general strike. They have succeeded in closing the dockyards and the Valkan works, but elsewhere the response was halfhearted. Strikes, rioting, and street fighting are reported from many districts. POLICE IN CONTROL AFTER SEVERE CONFLICT. Reuter’s Telegram. BERLIN, October 24. The riote in Hamburg are the most serious since 1908. The Communists have erected barricades in the suburbs; fierce fighting continues, and the casualties are serious. All works at the harbour are at a standstill. The railway between Hamburg and Luebeck was torn, up to prevent the Reichswehr from reaching Hamburg, but it was repaired almost immediately. The centre of the city is quiet, and is patrolled by the police. It has been ascertained that seven police have been killed and 19 wounded. The rioters suffered severely, and the police have removed 14 dead and 103 wounded. Fighting broke out afresh in Barmbeck and Dehnheidc, where the Communists fired from roofs. The police, too, vigorously counter-attacked, and are now completely in control of the situation. THYSSEN’S WORKS CLOSED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Associationdeceived October 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 24. The Central News Agency’s correspondent at Berlin states that Thyssen’s great works at Hamburg have closed, owing to financial difficulties, and 14,000 employees are idle. BAVARIA DIVIDED PALATINATE AUTONOMOUS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received October 25, 9.45 p.m.) BERLIN, October 25. Reports from various sources indicate that the Palatinate, which hitherto has been part of Bavaria, is being declared an autonomous German State. One version attributes this discontent among the population to the recent happenings at Munich. Another says the French representative on the Jnter-Allied Rhineland Commission announced the decision to members of the Palatinate Diet, and that, in view of the dangerous situation in Bavaria, the President replied that the Diet was not competent to deal with the matter.

RHENISH REPUBLIC

“ITS DAYS ARE NUMBERED.” SUPPORTERS FEW. Published In "Tb* Time*." LONDOiX, October 24. The Aix-la-Chnpelle corresi>ondciit of “The Times” snvs the days of the Rhineland Republic aro numbered. He describes a dramatic scene at the last Separatist stronghold, in which a hundred men refused to surrender unless they wore escorted to “our friends the Belgians.” The German police, who gave the men n fifteen minutes’ ultimatum, were anxious to rush tho bttilding, but after a conference with the Belgians, marched off. Finally the British vice-consul was admitted to tho building aa mediator, and later the

Belgians entered. The correspondent followed. At the table sat Decker, nervous and anxious. He was offered a safe conduct, but appeared unwilling to go; but his attitude changed when he was told that the streets would bo cleared and a state of siege proclaimed. Subsequently he emerged into the street, poeed for a picture, and led a handful of his supporters in “three cheers for the Rhineland* Republic, and down with Prussia.”

MOVEMENT UNPOPULAR

FLAG BURNED IN STREET.

Reuter’s Telegram. BERLIN, October 24

The Separatists were expelled from Aix-la-Chapolle'by trade unionists, after severe handling. The flag or tho Rhenish Republic was hauled down and burnt in the streets, the people singing patriotically. The Belgians were neutral. A crowd stormed the Town Hall at Muchen-Gladhach and expelled the Separatists, who took refuge in a restaurant, from which they fired on tho crowd, wounding several people. Thereupon tho police disarmed the Separatists, who disappeared. The Belgians hero also were neutral.

The British zone is quiet, and is not affected by the separatist movement.