BOLSHEVIKS PLAN NEW COUP

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1579, 6 March 1919, Page 7

BOLSHEVIKS PLAN NEW COUP

ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE ALLIES A FALSE PEACE TO BE AGREED UPON PROPOSAL TO SPREAD BOLSHEVISM WORLD-WIDE i P r By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. j[i. & N.Z.) (Hoc. March G, 9 a.m.) LONDON, March 5. L The Geneva correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle” says:—i \ A correspondent at Kieff discloses that Lenin and Trotzky have planned to renew the Brest-Litovsk coup, which proved so successful with Germany, and thus entice the Entente into an apparently advantageous peace, with a view to undermining the Allied Governments by propaganda. An Extraordinary Council of War, held at the Kremlin (the citadel of Moscow), decided to accept the invitation to the Princes’ Island Conference, with a view subsequently of developing a world-wide Bolshevik doctrine. CIVIL WAR PROBABLE IN GERMANY. CRISIS PECIPITATED BY GENERAL STRIKE. |A. k N.Z.) (Her. March 0, 9.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 5. i. One and a-half million workers are striking in Berlin. The strike, which was proclaimed by the Workers’ Councils, is an attempt by the Extremists, including the Independent Socialists, to overthrow the Ebert-Scheidemann Government and the National Assembly. Their watchword is, “Renew the battle for revolution.” The Government has summoned three divisions of troops to Berlin, where the streets and squares resemble at times the scenes of the Spartacist rebellion in January. The attitude of the troops is uncertain, but the marines are certainly hostile to the Government. The city on Tuesday was entirely without water, electricity or gas. The workmen in every factory ceased work. The position of the Government is critical, as many thousands of the Government troops are known to be ready to join the Spartacists. A general strike prevails throughout Saxony, and even threatens Weimar. Strong joint action is possible from the peasants, who are already forming a strong army in Bavaria. There is equally ominous news from Leipzig and Munich. There is a grave likelihood of civil war at any moment. STREET FIGHTING BECOMING MORE GENERAL. *A. k N.Z.) (Roe. March 6, 11.40 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 5. The troops and police patrolling the streets of Berlin had i minor tights with the Spartacists, who had seized 20 police ' stations. The Spartacists arrested Captain Hartung and Lieutenants I Vogel and Lepmann, who have been charged with causing tho i deaths of Herr Liebkueeht and Rosa Luxembourg, the Socialist I loaders. \ Government troops occupied the offices of the Spartacist Bcwspaper “Freiheit.” Republican troops dispersed a crowd in the Alexanderplatz, several persons being killed or injured. REVOLUTIONARIES THREATEN DRASTIC MEASURES. I (A. k N.Z.) (Hoc. March 6, 11.35 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 5. * The Executive Power of Berlin conferred with Herr Noske (Minister of the Army and Navy), who issued a proclamation j that he would severely punish treason, murder, rebellion, ineenf diarism, robbery, mutiny, the liberation of prisoners and attempts j to induce soldiers to revolt. He also prohibits all meetings except i those sanctioned. | Herr Haase, the Socialist leader, states that Herr Noske has arrested tho President of the Republic of Oldenburg, also Herr Koene, a deputy to the National Assembly. i BERLIN DECLARED IN STATE OF SIEGE. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETS AN EARLY DEATH. j|A. & N.Z.) (Roe. March 6, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 5. A wireless message from Berlin states that the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils on Monday decided on a general strike. The motion was carried by a bare majority, amidst great uproar. The strike began forthwith. Railways and tramways have stopped. Reports from Copenhagen state that the strike began with riots, great crowds attacking and disarming the policemen, and entering and occupying several police stations. Herr Noske (Minister of the Army and Navy) arrived at Berlin from Weimar. His first act was to declare a state of siege. He formed a special court-martial, and ordered the troops to shoot anyone seen in the streets after 6 p.m. . The National Assembly adjourns to-day. It is feared in political circles that the Assembly will never again be summoned. GERMANS EAGER TO LEAVE FATHERLAND. ASSISTANCE FOR EMIGRANTS DEMANDED. (A. k N.Z.) (He.-. March G, 11.30 a.m.) BEENE, March 5. The “Munchnev Neueste Nachrichten,” referring to the : eagerness of Germans to emigrate, urges the establishment of a j State Emigration Office. The paper (declares that Russia, the j Argentine, Brazil or Chile offer the best immediate opportunities. } The outlook towards Australia is not tempting. HINDENBXJRG WILL SHORTLY RETIRE. NO SYMPATHY WITH REPUBLICAN REGIME. (A. & N.Z.) (Her. March (J, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 4. A wireless message from Berne states that Marshal von Hindenburg, interviewed by the “Bayeriseher Kurier,’’ of Munich, said that he was only retaining his position in the army to help the country against anarchy during the transition feora war to peace. He finds no satisfaction in the work, and intends to retire into seclusion at the earliest opportunity. He retains his loyalty to the monarchy and the Prussian regime. He has no sympathy with the present system, hut he does not anticipate any counter-revolution.