GERMAN REPUBLIC

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 84, 14 August 1923, Page 5

GERMAN REPUBLIC

WILD ANNIVERSARY DAY. RIOTS IN THE COUNTRY. Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z C'ble Association. Berlin, August 12. Tho fourth anniversary of the founding of tho republic, although it passed quietly in Berlin owing to strong polico measures, was marked in many provincial centres by violent clashes b efcween anti-Governmeuj demonstrators and police. There was a heavy death roll, and altogether over a hundred were wounded. At Gelsenkirchen Communists erected a scaffold, upon which they hanged effigies of Herr Stinneg and Ho;rr Curio. The police thre© times charged the mob, tore down tho fi'g,nres, and demolished the scaffold, but each time the mob rushed tho police and restored the tableau. While the police were intervening v> third time a workman snatched a

policeman's revolver and shot him deid. The mob later surrounded the police station and opened fire with rifles and revolvers. The polico returned the fire, and tho mob retreated, leaving five dead and a dozen wounded.

In Hanover the mob exhorted Communist* to invade shops and seiz* 1 foodstuffs. Over fo"ty were wounded. At Pasewalk thirteen were killed and many wounded when provision shops were plundered. Similar scenes occurred in Bresiau, Strassfurth, Frankenhansen, Aachen and Haaren.

Berlin is quiet at present, but the authorities are'still anxious. The, Wilhelmstra,sse is closed to traffic, and troops are guarding Government offices.

COMMUNIST ULTIMATUM. THREAT TO SPREAD STRIKE. (Received 11.25 a.m.) London, August 13. The Central News Agency's Berlin correspondent says: The Communists have presented an ultimatum to the Government, and unless the demands are conceded immediately, the bank note printers employees at the waterworks, and other municipal employees will strike. Ninety-nine per cent of the Berlin industrial workers are now on strike. The Communists are endeavouring to bring out the remainder. COALITION CABINET FORMED. (Received 12.40 p.m.) Berlin, Argust 13. Herr Streseman formed a Coalition Cabinet composed of Socialists, Centre, and Peoples Parties. He undertakes Foreign Affairs'himself."