THE CENTRAL POWERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 17

THE CENTRAL POWERS

SERIOUS FIGHTING IN BERLIN. THE GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFUL. DISTURBANCES IN OTHER CENTRES. (By Cable.) DEMONSTRATION BY SPARTACUSIANS. Violent speeches were made at the Spartacusiacn demonstrations in Berlin on fche sth. Herr Liebknecht, in a hysterical address, declared : "We must be prepared for bloodshed." The streets were crowded, in the evening. Nervousness was visible everywhere, and at 10 o'clock on Monday morning fighting began between Government supporters and the Spartacusian forces. The Government dismissed Herr Eichorn from the presidency of the police, and Eichorn -called on the Communists to effect a coup d'etat and overthrow the Government. The mob stormed the Vorwavts and other newspaper offices, piled the Majority Socialistic pamphlets in the streets and made bonfires of them.

There was complete anarchy in Berlin. The banks were barricaded. Thousands of armed workers crowded the streets, and machine-guns were fired in all quarters of the capital. Hundreds are fleeing from the city. The Independent Socialists joined the Spartacusian Party and issued a joint proclamation declaring that the final fight for a red revolution would be fought that day. Radek and Joffe (Russian Bolshevist missionaries) are remaining in Berlin, despite the Government's efforts to expel them. Spartacusion attacks on the Chancellor's palaee were frustrated. Twenty of the attackers and three of the defenders' were killed. The Spartacusians hold the -police headquarters, State Printing Offices, railway offices, and railway admininstratiye offices; also the arsenal and munition depots at Spandau. The Government's machinegunners occupied the Wilhelmstrasse and Wilhelmplatz, and also positions opposite the newspaper offices, which the Spartacusians hold. ■ -V During Monday's street fighting, when machine-guns were firing and bombs were falling from windows, kinema operators energetically took pictures. Advices from Berlin show that the initial successes of the Bolshevist Communists were' due "to the treachery of the troops guarding the public buildings. Despite their previous" oath of loyalty to the public,. they laid down their arms and sided with the Communists. The outbreak was largely due to the Russian Bolshevists ordering their accomplices— Eichorn and Liebknecht —to prevent at all costs the election of a Constituent Assembly. The Evening News's Berlin correspondent reports- that Herr Liebknecht was killed in street fighting. After much fighting the Spartacusians were, defeated. OFFICIAL DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. Berlin messages received in London from various sources from Berlin, including Ebert's statements, circulated by German wireless, show the following to have been the course of recent events : The Spartacus League on Sunday joined the Independent Socialists under the halfcrazy firebrand Liebknecht, and attempted to seize power. Their pinme object was to stop a general election. Herren Ebert and Schiedemann were taken unawares, and proved themselves irresolute, but their personal safety finally determined them to resist by force of arms. During the street fighting on Monday and Tuesday soldiers • wearing steel helmets fired rifles from windows. Machine guns and grenades were also freely used. One report says that 300 people were killed, including 100 killed on the Wilhelm platz and at the Brandenburg Gate on Tuesday morning. It is reported that Herren Ebert and Schiedemann on Monday addressed an enthusiastic meeting outside the Chancellor's palace.

Herr Schiedemann declared that the Spartacusians had ordered himself and Herr Ebert to be shot. He urged the crowd to resist the Spartacusians. Those who had been militarily trained would receive amis. Dense crowds appeared in the streets on Tuesday, and there was intense excitement. The streets wore a stern military aspect. The Brandenburg Gate and the surrounding buildings and all Government buildings bristled with machine-guns. The Government served out flame-throwers. It is reported that the Government is endeavouring to seize Liebknecht.. The Spartacusians entered the homes of many politicians, seizing all paper's found there, though they were not able to abstain from ordinary pillage. During Wednesday the Government and the Spartacusians held all-day-long negotiations to allay the tumult, but without result, as the leaders on both sides proved unable to control the mobs in the streets. Herr Ebert stated that, in view of the disturbances, the Government had summoned its supporters during Sunday night to commence a general strike as a tremendous demonstration against the terrorism of a brutal minority. These demonstrations assumed gigantic proportions on Monday. The Government supporters throughout went unarmed. Meanwhile, owing to the attitude of the Spartacusians, shooting commenced on the Unter den Linden at the Potsdammerplatz. In the midst of the trouble a deputation of Spartacusians, with a white flag, approached the cordon of Government troops, and demanded the troops' surrender, Herr Ebert states that -while his troops

were transmitting a demand by their commander they were treacherously fired at from behind, and suffered heavy casualties. The commander thereupon brought machine-guns into action, and cleared the street. The Government has opened a recruiting bureau, in order to arm members of the Social Democratic Party and the factories against terrorism. Other messages state that Berlin is now separated from the rest of Germany, railway and telephone communication being broken. A majority.of the country folk disapprove of the Spartacusian agitation, and anger is growing at the weakness of the Berlin Government. The Bavarian Government threatens to ensure quiet by means of armed forces, which will mercilessly crush the Berlin Bolshevists. The Daily News describes Berlin as divided Into two armed camps —one the Government's, with the Imperial Chancellery as its centre and the palace and surrounding buildings filled with soldiers; and the other is the Spartacnsians', who have two centres—namely, the office of Rote Fahne, in the Wilhelmstrasse, and the police headquarters of. the Alexander platz, which are both surrounded by armed civilians. The situation is most dangerous, because the Spartacusians have taken 1000 guns from a factory where flame-throwers and tanks are at their disposal. At least 25,000 armed civilians are now in the streets of Berlin. A German Government wireless communique states: The excitement at Berlin increased on Wednesday. Street fighting was more lively and widespread. In view of a further failure in the negotiations, the Government continued its efforts to assemble the order-loving elements under a united organisation, arming them for the purpose of systematically clearing out the Spartacus nests at the Brandenburg Gate Barracks, the main railway station, and the police headquarters. There were lively combats, and no decision was reached by the afternoon. The Government is determined to persist, in energetic attacks, if necessary bombarding,, the Spartacus haunts, especially the police headquarters, with artillery, and aided by airmen, in order tfl restore them to the possession of the rightful authorities. For the first time since the outbreak of the revolution the economic life is seriously disturbed, and street fighting has reached an acute stage. The exact casualties are unknown, owing to the destruction of communications, but the numbers killed and injured are greater than hitherto. Sensational reports are deprecated.... Foreigners and neutrals sustained no hurt, but the railway and tram traffic remains stopped. The residents in Berlin have placed themselves ~at Herr Ebert's disposal, and he is forming a students' union.

One message from Berlin states that Herr Liebkneeht had a narrow escape in Unter den Linden. The crowds assailed a taxicab in which he was riding, dragged Herr Liebkneeht' out, and were on the point of lynching him when a party of armed Spartacusians rushed up and rescued him, and, standing on the roof of the taxicab, he addressed his supporters. The early Spartacus success was due to the Government's lack of firearms. The authorities latterly have recognised the gravity of the situation and have adopted drastic measures. Herr Ebert's troops are superior in numbers and discipline. The extremists have steadily lost strength in the encounters during the past two days, and their position is practically hopeless. The Government expects soon to regain possession of the Telegraph Office. It is reported that a thousand of the Russian Bolshevists have arrived at Berlin disguised as German soldiers, and are joining the Spartacusians. The latter have proclaimed red terrorism in Berlin. Herr Liebkneeht, draped in a red flag, standing in a motor car, announced the formation of a new Proletariat Government, with himself as President. A Berlin message of Friday states that the Spartacusians, attempting to create a panic, cut off the water, gas, and electricity supplies. The populace is panicstricken, and mobs are storming the bakers' shops. It is reported that Herr Liebkneeht was killed in the street fighting on Thursday. The Spartacusians. after seizing tne Berlin waterworks, attempted to capture the cattle market. The Government, however, anticipated the move, sending many machine-guns, and the attempt was frustrated. A Government wireless message from Berlin states: " Radek (Russian Bolshevist) is urging the Spartacusians to hold on until Russian troops arrive, as the Soldiers' Council of the Tenth Army will let the Russians through. "This is both nonsensical and untrue. No Soldiers' Council will. tolerate the intervention of Russian troops in our revolutionary fight." THE GOVERNMENT VICTORIOUS. The Berlingske Tidende's correspondent in Berlin, describing the fighting which resulted in the Government victory, states: • Ebert's troops on Wednesday beat off the Spartacusians' attack on the Foreign Office buildings. A battle was raging at midnight in the south-western and central parts of Berlin. The Government troops, assisted by aeroplanes, bombed one railway station, and 65 people were killed. They subsequently attacked the Lehrter station, .where Spartacusians fired on an incoming train. The Government's situation is improving hourly. The Civic Council has appealed to all citizens to join the Republican Guard. On Saturday night the Government troops stormed the Vorwarts buildings, and captured Ledebour and other Spartacus leaders, besides killing 125 of the defenders.

It is reported that Eichorn, renegade President of Police, has fled from Berlin. At noon on Thursday the Government troops stormed and recaptured headquarters office at Rotefahne and destroyed

the premises. The fighting reached a climax on Wednesday night. Many persons were killed and wounded during tie Government's assault on the Wolff Pr£ss Bureau with grenades and machine-gui?>. Fighting diminished on Thursday, ard the streets are now comparatively quie*".. The Government completely won the day. The Spartacus revolution has definitely failed. Great Government reinforcements are pouring into Berlin, including loyal naval forces from Kiel. The directors of railways declare that the railways are still in the hands of the Government. A number of trains are running. The Frankfurter Zeitung states that three army corps will be employed to recapture the province of Posen and protect Silesia. BERLIN BANKS REOPEN. The Reichsbank and other banks were opened in Berlin for a few hours on the 11th. The streets are now generally empty, as *the inquisitive crowd which thronged them earlier in the week are remaining indoors. The sailors have left the Spartacus group and have surrendered their leader, Doerenbach, to the Ebert Government. OTHER ACCOUNTS. The Exchange Telegraph's Amsterdam correspondent states: The latest accounts from Berlin show that Tuesday was the bloodiest day in Berlin's history. It Is reported that hundreds were killed. The Spartacusians were plentifully supplied with arms after their seizure of the arsenals. Fighting began on Monday and continued all night long. There were numerous encounters at Wertheim's stores, at the War Ministry, in the Leip6iger Strasse, also at the barracks where the troops used minnewerfer. There was a severe fight for the Food Office, which the Spartacusians captured. A detachment of Government corps sent an ultimatum to the Spartacusians to quit the Wolff News Bureau in 10 minutes, but the Government troops refused to attack the building and marched away. Groener has offered to take 40 regiments of trustworthy troop 3 to the capital to assist the Government. The Daily Express correspondent, who was an eye-witness of the fighting on Monday and on Tuesday morning, walked continually through the streets with guards with whom Eichorh (president of the Berlin police) provided him. The correspondent describes three machine-guns firing point : blank into a mob-at the Brandenburg Gate. There were other bloody incidents, but it is impossible to estimate the casualties.

The Government troops at the Brandenburg Gate were ambushed behind the Bronze Horses, whioh the Prussians stole from France in 1870. They commanded four broad highways. After three, attacks the Spartacusians forced the Government troops to hoist the white flag and abandon the Gate. The Daily Express Berlin correspondent, writing on January 8, says: "There is no drama in this revolution—just sordid killing. ' Every few minutes I seen handcarts going full of dead and dying. " The Government says that the present state of affairs must continue for two days.. Perhaps Hindenburg will then enter at the head of troops to establish order." The Government retains possession of the chief buildings, including the Reichstag, and has ejected the Spartacusians from the State Printing Office. The latter stole marks m paper money. The Government is concentrating troops in the suburbs for the suppression of disturbances. The Spartacusians have proclaimed a new Government, called a Revolutionary Government, the committee consisting of three members—Herren Liebmann, Ledebour, and Teik. The Frankfurter Zeitung compares the streets in Berlin on Tuesday to a battlefield. . There was continuous artillery fire for six hours. THE STRIKE OF WAITERS. The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that the strike and lockout of waiters in Berlin has spread to such an extent that the city is practically without hotels, restaurants, and cafes. The strikers, by pure terrorism, compelled large establishments to close. They broke hundreds of wine bottles and stole vast quantities of eatables and cutlery. The police did not interfere. Twenty thousand waiters are either on strike or are locked out. DISTURBANCES ELSEWHERE. The anxiety in Berlin is partly due to strikes and bloodshed in the mining districts, which are the Bolshevists' principal strongholds. The miners demonstrated outside the mining offices in Ober Silezische, where a guard of soldiers turned a machine-gun on them, killing 30 and wounding' many strikers. Several other mines have been damaged by wilful flooding, reducing Berlin's coal supply to 30 per cent, of normal. It is reported that civil war is spreading to the Rhineland and Bavaria. At Dortmund, Westphalia, extremists have occupied the newspaper offices. The People's Council of the Republic of Hesse decided to support the Ebert Government.

Twenty thousand Brunswick soldiers, sailors, and civilians have armed themselves. Fresh Spartacus disturbances have occurred in Dresden, Essen, and Munich. A crowd entered the Cathedral In Munich and destroyed valuable articles. Many women were injured. The Spartacusians attacked a bank, but were repelled by machine-guns. Advices from Berlin state that at Dusseldorf, Mulheim, and Oberhausen the Spartacusians have seized the power and proclaimed the sovereignty of the proletariat on the Russian model. Reports from Ouxhaven state that officers and "marines made a determined

attempt on Saturday to overthrow th# Soldiers and Workmen's Council. Th# latter's troops recaptured the town, occUpied the barracks, and arrested leading citizens as hostages. A number of German soldiers, disguised in khaki, held up the householders of Gladbach (east of Cologne) and an adjacent village, robbing them of considerable sums of money, in one case amounting to £ISOO. Sixteen of them were arrested. THE SPARTACUS PROGRAMME. Mr Dosch Fleurot, in a message, statest " The Spartacua bund members gave m« the programme of their intentions. They will disarm soldiers, police, and others no» belonging to the proletariat, and will control all arms and ammunition plant* "They will establish a revolutionary trl» bunal, at which men guilty of prolonging the war will be tried, including the Honenzollerns, Ludendorff, Hindenburg, and Tir» pitz. They will substitute a federation of States for the Socialist republic. The!* confiscation of private fortunes and incomes, and the cancellation of the publio debt, including war loans, except small amounts subscribed by poor people. Banks, mills, and other commercial enterprises will be confiscated." The leaders said they were determined to carry on the struggle until a working class Government had been established. They said they represented the aspirationa of the working class throughout the whole world. The Daily Express Berlin correspondent sums up the Spartacus policy as a desire to carry on a class struggle against the bourgeoisie until a Government by and fot the working classes is established. The class struggle must be carried on until a Proletariat Government is .established everywhere in the world. The immediate aim is to seize all food and disarm the police and soldiers. It is expected by the Proletariats to replace the old administrations by supporters of the proletariat, also to establish a tribunal to try those guilty of causing the war, including the Hohenzollerns. Ludendorff, Hindenburg, Tirpitz, and all counter-revolutionaries. There must be an. absolute socialisation of the State, a sixhour day, unemployment insurance,. the cancelling of all public debts except money 5 lent by the poor, the confiscation of ail real estate and all fortunes above a certain low level. MAJORITY AND INDEPENDENT SOCIALISTS. The German Majority Socialists are con-, ducting a vigorous campaign for the elections for the Constituent Assembly on Sunday, January 19. There will be a series of colossal demonstrations in every constituency on the-; eve of the poll. In some constituencies the IndependentSocialists are repudiating their extremist leaders, and will join with the Majority Socialist Party, whose cry everywhere is i '' No B olshevism I'' The Majority Socialists hope to have a clear majority over all the other parties. The Catholic Centre Partv is the only non-Socialistic party with any prospect of securing large support. The Independent Socialists in Berlin now regret that they left the Government, and are seeking to return as mediators between Government and Spartacusians. The Government, however, refuses mediation until the Spartacusians have been evicted from the newspaper offices and other publio buildings. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS: The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent states that Germany a fortnight hence will be in the throes of the biggest general election Europe has ever seen. Out of 70,000,000 people all who are over 20 years of age are entitled to vote; yet there will be little electioneering and few speeches; it will be mostly a newspaper campaign. The elections for the National Assembly of the Republic of Baden resulted in the complete rout of the Extremists. The figures were: Centre Party, 41; Socialists, 35; Democrats, 24; Nationalists, 7. SPREAD OF BOLSHEVISM. The United Press Berlin correspondent states that, although Bolshevism m Germany is, generally speaking, an intellectual movement unattended by violence, it is growing slowly. This growth is due to several causes —namely, Russian agitators spending money and spreading propaganda freely among the German workmen, and • the growing fear of the extent to which Capitalism intends to exploit Germany; through want of employment and food. MARSHAL FOCH'S WARNING. ' At the last sitting of the Armistice Commission at % Spa, Marshal Foch stated that. Germany would be held responsible for tha destruction done by the Bolshevists in Poland and the Baltic provinces, because, contrary to the armistice terms, the Germans, on evacuating these regions, left their arms and war material in the hands of the Bolshevists. _ V The British admiral commanding the naval forces in the Baltic made an identical statement to the German commander. \ A German wireless message announce* that the German Government is about to

take military measures to 6tem the Bolshevist advance. COUNT BERNSTORFF INTERVIEWED. TLs Daily Express Berlin correspondent

has interviewed Count Benistorff, who stated that he agrees with the advantages of a League of Nations and the abolition of conscription. The restoration of monarchy in Germany, he said, was unthinkable.

When asked if there was not danger in sending the ex-Kaiser to Holland, Bernstorif replied: " Whern the hell were we to send him?" VON HERTLING'S CONFESSION. Le Matin publishes an interview with Count von Hertling, ex-Chancellor, given just before he died: Hertling said: " Germany retained friendly sentiments towards the ex-Kaiser, but that would not influence her political evolution. Every German believed that victory would be secured by the end of 1917, this hope being based on the prospects of submarines' successes. They were convinced last July that the Entente would sue for peaee before September. The Intelligence Department predicted grave events in Entente countries, particularly in France. These reasons induced the German High Command to continue the long-range bombardment of Paris, despite the German Government's advice to desist. "This confidence continued till July 15, but by July 18 even the most optimistic German knew that all was lost. GERMAN MILITARY EX-LEADERS. Hindenburg has returned to Cassel. He reported that the Government rejected his offer to conduct military operations against the Spartacusians. General Ludendorff received permission from the Government to return, and arrived at Leipzig on the 9th. The New York Times Washington correspondent says despatches from Genoa state that von Mackensen was in Hungary by the French forces occupying Budapest. A WAIL BY PRINCE MAX. Prince Max, in an interview with the National News agent in Baden Baden, complained bitterly of the maintenance of the blockade and the Entente's insisting on the surrender of railway material, which is preventing the transport of foodstuffs at present in Germany. Prince Max shouted: Why doesn't the Entente lift the curtain somewhat and show its intentions? This uncertainty regarding the future makes our people half mad, and may drive them to despair." He asserted that the ex-Kaiser did not desire, and up to the last moment tried to prevent, war. Max expressed the greatest pity for the ex-Kaiser, and added : 'From many episodes in the ex-Kaiser's life it has been evident that he was predestined to a tragic end. Fortune has not been with him, but his intention's were honest." • Prince Max described Herr Ebert as openly honest and well disposed. A NEW CAPITAL. The Frankfurter Zeitung suggests that Germany should build a new capital, as it would cost more to adapt the existing buildings in Berlin than to build a new capital. A good site is obtainable in Thuringia, and the capital might be named Frie-linstadt. AN INSULT TO AMERICA. - General Harris, head of the American Mission here, was compelled to haul down the American flag at the Hotel Adlon, in which building the Allied representatives took refuge. Twenty persons who took refuge in the American Elmbassy were killed and the building was badly damaged.

GERMAN DEMOBILISATION. The German army no longer exists as a fighting force. Fifteen divisions have been completely demobilised, and others partially so. ' ! The Daily Chronicle's Rotterdam correspondent states that the startling fact has been disclosed that the Workers' Councils in Germany have taken precautions to retain strong military forces in readiness for a crisis. The councils have so arranged that demobilisation is releasing only those not possessing the revolutionary spirit, these being mostly the industrious, sober elements, who are anxious to return to their homes at the earliest possible moment. Thus the remainder now under arms is a "red" army, with which are associated many disorderly characters, who would prefer a Bolshevist regime to the resumption of civil work. Herein lies the secret of the success of the Berlin coup. The plot was evidently carefully prepared to take Herr Ebert by surprise, but his counter-measures are likely to plunge the capital into civil war. FEELING IN AUSTRIA. Baron Haupt, the Austrian Minister to Switzerland, interviewed, said that sentiment in Austria was about evenly divided between the desire to join Germany or to remain an independent republic, there being possibly a silght majority in favour of the latter. Austria was reconciled to her extensive territorial sacrifices. Vienna would be a big loser, and would probably never regain her former standing. Baron Haupt thinks that as partial compensation it should bo, made the seat of the tribunal of the League of Nations. After M. Paderewski and Colonel Wade (British/ arrived at Posen the Germans continuously sniped their rooms. Children inarching in procession past the hotel cried: '"Long live England," and a German machine-gun was fired, killing several children. Poles defended the hotel for two days until the Poles captured the city.

The Poles have occupied positions near Bentschen. They delivered an ultimatum to the German commander demanding surrender. The Germans desired to defend the positions, in order to prevent invasion of Brandenburg. Paderewski and General Pilsudeki conferred, but were unable to agree as to the exercise of authority in Poland, and a split is threatened. Warsaw messages state that General Paderewski engaged in speech-making for 20 hours. He was enthusiastically cheered by the Polish crowds waiting outside his hotel. Paderewski emphasised the neces-

sity of stamping out Bolshevism, and defined their .aims as being to kill all users of the toothbrush. Paderewski further said the Alliesmust assist Poland to destroy Bolshevism, lest the whole of Europe be swamped thereby. Poland was I'eady to form a barrier against the tide if given arms and technical officers. The Berliner Zeitung am Mittag says that the Poles and Germans have agreed to cease hostilities, this decision following a meeting of Hohensalsa. It is anounced that M. Paderewski has. gone to Poland to bring about co-operation between the German, Austrian, and Russian Poles. He was sent there to form a new Government at Warsaw. As the result of a Bolshevist plot, a person entered M. Paderewski's room in an hotel and fired, wounding Paderewski slightly. Some arrests have been made Polish Headquarters in the United States deny that the Polish army has any intention of marching on Berlin. This statement is merely part of the German propa- i ganda. The Polish army is organising to defend Poland against the Bolshevists. LEMBERG BESEIGED. Warsaw messages report that Bolshevists, aided by Germans and Ukrainians, are besieging Lemberg. The Poles, who are gallantly defending it, have limited food supply and poor defences. The fall of Lemberg was expected on the 7th inst. Twenty thousand Ukrainians are standing outside the city. Twenty thousand Ruthenians have surrounded Lemberg. The Polish Women's

Division is participating in the defence, and suffered severely, many women being captured. FIGHTING IN EAST GERMANY. Fierce fighting is going on between the Poles and the Germans for Bentschen Junction, in East Germany, which is a most important station concerned in transport for the feeding of Germany. Berlin advices state that the Poles advancing from Colmar encountered a German volunteer company. Heavy fighting ensued, and the Poles retreated. The Germans have captured Colmar and Weissenholne. The losses on both sides were very heavy.