GERMAN COMMUNISTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3499, 5 April 1921, Page 17

GERMAN COMMUNISTS

RISING MISCARRIED. BERLIN. March 27. Although the rising miscarried, the Communists in several parts ot Central Germany are holding out. Some small street affrays occurred in Berlin; otherwise the city is quiet. There was a conflict between the police and the Communists in one village. The former fired, killing two and wounding several persons. Communists during the night attempted to blow up a railway bridge in Charlottenburg. RISING ARRANGED IN MOSCOW. BERLIN, March 28. The Communist rising followed a plan arranged at Moscow, but it broke out a month too soon. The Communists hold Bitterfeld, cutting off the Berlin-Halte communications. The police were armed only with light Maxims, whereas the rebels were equipped with mine throwers and heavy machine guns. Political considerations prevented the use of the Reichswehr. GUERRILLA WARFARE. BERLIN, March 29. Five hundred Reds occupied Mettman, near Dusseldorf, and proclaimed a Communist Republic. The Communists in Central Germany have resorted to guerrilla methods with the object of tiring out the police. The rebels have at their command efficient cycle, pigeon, and scout services. Berlin is quiet, but a plot against the electricity works was detected. Communists at Bittenfeld disarmed the police and occupied the public buildings. The troops repulsed the rebels. At Hettstedt there was violent fighting, in which artillery was used, the insurgents losing heavily. It is stated that, anticipating that the Allies will restore Upper Silesia to Germany, Cabinet is preparing to enforce autonomv. LONDON, March 28. A telegram from Essen states that 15 rioters were killed and 40 wounded in a Cia,sh with the police. The rebels were driven out of Leun. RHENISH WESTPHALIAN DISTRICTS. AMSTERDAM, March 29. The Communist rising in the Rhenish Westphalian districts were a greater success than in Berlin. Violent fighting occurred at Essen and Dormund. Many deaths are reported, also a number of dvnamite outrages. The Allies returned the Dusseldorf police their arms in order to organise the defence of the town against the Reds, who have occupied several of the smaller towns. DRESDEN PLOT FRUSTRATED. AMSTERDAM, March 30. The Dresden authorities prevented a Communist plot to overthrow the rounici pal authorities by arresting 92 ringleaders, including 14 women. Communists occupied the mines at Diergaarat and Dickschied, forcing the miners to leave their work. Reds at Gevelsberg blew up a branch of the Reichsbank after stealing 300,000 marks. FIERCE FIGHTING REPORTED. BERLIN, March 30. Two _ police officers and 10 policemen were killed at Groebes while attempting to dislodge the Communists, who used machine guns. Fiftv Communists were killed at Gevelsberg during severe fighting for the possession of the town, which was recaptured from the Communists. Thirty dead Communists were counted, while the insurgents lost 30 killed during a fight at Mersegurg. THE OCCUPIED RHINELAND. BRUSSELS, April 2. Fighting occurred in the occupied Rhineland, between the Communists, who seized four mines, and the non-Com-munists, who were prevented from working. Belgian troops intervened, and the Communists attacked the troops, who fired, killing three and wounding 27. GERMAN MINERS ENTOMBED. BERLIN. April 1. Communist gangs stopped the machinery in a mine near Oelsnitz (Saxony). They blocked the entrance, entombing the miners, who are in great peril. The Government has taken active relief measures. The wives of the miners tin ashed the perpetrators of the deed.