FIGHTING IN BERLIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12571, 7 March 1919, Page 5

FIGHTING IN BERLIN.

REGULARS AND GOVERNMENT TROOPS CLASH. DEMANDS OF THE SOLDIERS’ AND WORKERS’ COUNCILS.' FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH RUSSIAN SOVIET. By Telegraph—Pms Association—Copyright. Atutnliao wd N.Z. Geble Awooiatioa. (Received March 7, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 6. The Berlin correspondent of,the ‘‘Daily Express” states that 60,000 regulars have assembled, and are fighting the Government troops. Machine-guns are popping in every street. The regulars are confident they could overpower the city if they had a good leader. The chief demands of the Soldiers’ and Workers’ Councils are control over the Army and Navy, removal of officers’ badges, soldiers to elect officers, and the abolition of the standing army. Diplomatic relationship has been established with the Russian Soviet Government. The release of political prisoners, particularly Ledebour, is desired. NEEDLESS SACRIFICE OF CANADIAN TROOPS. I .. ■ SIR SAM HUGHES’S CHARGE AGAINST OFFICERS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ' (Received March 7, 9.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 6. The Toronto correspondent of the ‘‘New York Times” • states that Sir Sam Hughes, in the course of a speech in the House of Commons, charged the Canadian officers' on the West Eront with needlessly sacrificing the lives of men for the purpose of gaining personal advancement. He had protested to Sir R. L. Borden regarding the needless slaughter at Cambrai,. Lens and Passchendaele. Sir Sam Hughes also made a charge of profiteering by the Canadian packers supplying the Canadian troops. , BELGIUM’S CLAIM FOR ADDITIONAL JERRITORY. PROPOSALS TO SATISFY HOLLAND. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. • (Received March 7, 8.50 a.ni.) ' • V PARTS, March 5. The Commission on Belgian Affairs has decided in favour of the abrogation of the Treaty of 1839. This permits of the • opening of the territorial problem between Belgium and Holland. The Belgiansvconteiul that control over Limburg, Luxemburg and Malmedy (Rhenish Prussia) is necessary for Belgium’s defence, also that possession of Zealand and Flanders would ensure the provisioning of Antwerp. Holland should receive in exchange Gueldern, on the left bank of the Ems, and Eastern Friesland, with the mouths of the Ems and the Emden. The Commission decided that as Holland was ‘ neutral the Council of ten had no authority to settle the Scheldt-Limhurg question unless Hollaud desired to place it before the Conference. THE PROPOSED PRINKOPO CONFERENCE, DRAMATIC MEETING OF BOLSHEVIST WAR COUNCIL } ■ \ Australian and N.Z, Cabls Association, (Received March 7, 9,40 a.m.) LONDON, March 6. The “Daily Chronicle”, reports a remarkable story from Kiev, detailing a.dramatic meeting of the Council of War at the Kremlin, Moscow, when the Entente’s invitation to send delegates to Prinkopo was received. Trotsky, who was greatly surprised at the Entente’s proposal, informed the War Council that the internal situation was desperate, owing to famine and plague. The Bolshevik State was threatened with collapse, entailing the destruction of the Red Armies. Extremists, who advocated the Red Terror, favoured a continuance of the struggle, hut Lenin’s speech clinched the matter. He said the .. time had come' to conclude a second Brest Litovsk Treaty, this ■time with the Entente. "Let them,” he said, ‘‘proclaim to the world that they have subdued us. and that the Soviet Republic has capitulated unconditionally. We shall know we have only concluded a truce, in order to complete preparations for a decisive onslaught which will assure triumph.”