GERMAN COMMUNISTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20709, 6 May 1929, Page 7

GERMAN COMMUNISTS

’> A RENEWAL OF RIOTING. POLICE USE ARMOURED CARS. HEAVY CASUALTIES REPORTED. ' ' - • (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BERLIN, May 3. Details of the barricade fighting show that it was more serious than was at first reported. The casualties number 300. Armoured cars advanced against the barricades in the Harmannstrasse, "which was blocked for a mile (with felled trees. When the police stormed the stronghold the prospects of a conflict were so serious that they decided to postpone a further attack till daybreak, foreseeing heavy bloodshed. In the Neukoelln quarter there was renewed rioting and also looting of shops. ■The ■ district has the appearance of a battlefield. The streets were bespattered with blood, suggesting that the rioters Buffered heavier losses than they admit. Rioting is reported in the harbour district of Hamburg, where drastic measures have been proclaimed. In the Weddin and Neukoelln districts nobody was allowed in the streets between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., ’except doctors and nurses. Even in the daytime nobody was allowed to standin the doorways, and groups of three and more were forbidden. The cafes and beer houses were closed at 9. The police Btate that this was necessary in order to show the Cr umunists that they mean business _ and wiir ruthlessly suppress furthet efforts to cause trouble. Intermittent fighting continues in the Communist haunts. The demonstrators stoned the police from windows. The police fired a machine gun. Two women were killed. Moat of the inhabitants took refuge in the cellars.—Australian .Press Association—United Service. SNIPERS ON ROOF 5 TOPS. POLICE PARTIES FIRED ON. BERLIN, May 3. The police were ordered to shoot without warning persons seen opening winnows. Meanwhile snipers hidden in the roof tops continued firing on the police parties. The number of injured is steadily increasing. The police casualties are surprisingly small. . V The Communist call for a, general strike met with small success, only abcfut 6000 being out. The Berlin Communist newspaper has . been suppressed.—Australian Press Association. * A NEW ZEALANDER KILLED. FORMERLY MAYOR OF GANUI.BERLIN, May 4. (Received May 5,‘ at 7 p.m.) Among those who were killed in last night’s rioting was Charles E. Mackay, a New Zealander, formerly Mayor of Wanganui, who was recently .doing . journalistic : work. Apparently he disregarded the police warning and strolled uncon- ■ cernedly in the streets in the Neukoeloin quarter during the thick of the disturb-, anceu. The police found the body lying in the street with, a bullet wound in the breast. He was rushed to hospital, but died on the way.;—Australian' Press As- , . sociation. , ■ MACKAY’S EXERIENCES. SORROW AND DISAPPOINTMENT. , ’ '. ' LONDON, May 4. ' (Received May 6, at 0.5 a.m.) The Sunday Express, regretting to have to announce the death of Mackay, .says he was their, assistant correspondent at Berlin; Xhe papcr publishes a cable from Seftoii Delrner, the chief correspondent ; of . the Daily Express and the Sunday express, saying “ Mackay was one of my best friends and, one of the most brilliant men I have eyer met.” He describes how they together toured districts on Friday night till 11.30, when Delmer went to cable London, while Mackay went to Neukoelln district with instructions to ascertain from' the ’ police whether the disturbance was being continued.', Mackay ■ had no intention of entering the dangei“ zone, and if be did it was by accident. Mackay wore next ,to his chest an amulet of green jade which was given him by a Maori "chief, but if this exercised any influence at all it brought only bitter sorrow and 1 disappointment. Mackay was in London last yehr and engaged in a business venture in which he put all his money. The' business failed and Mackay went to Berlin nine months ago. Mackay’s grandfather was an officer in the Maori War.—Australian Press Association. ■ ■< NEUKOELLN DISTRICT QUIET. ■ * BERLIN, May • 4. ' ' (Received May-. 6, at p. 5 a.m.) The Nenkoelln district is quiet. The casualties as a result of three days of Communist rioting are between 25 and 36 dead and several injured.—Australian Press Association. 0