CABLEGRAMS.

Western Star, 30 March 1920, Page 3

CABLEGRAMS.

LONDON, March 25. , The Daily Chronicle’s Essen correspondent states that the Workers’ Council in Ruhr Valley is busy organising its members for war against the Government’s Reichewehr troops. The present object is less the establishment of a coimnision than the overthrow of the Reicbswehr, who are always suspected of reactionary designs, especially their officers- The workmen’s, leaders are endeavouring to create a unified command. Hitherto the warfare has been of a guerilla nature. When a battalion of Reiohwehr entered Dortmund, flying the old Germain colours, the workers refused to believe they were Government troops and surrounded and took them prisoner. The success at Dortmund encouraged the workers who began, to march on various towns in the district gaining adherents as they went. There has been continuous rifle and bayonet fighting with heavy losses on both side®. The upshot of the fighting waal that all the troops were expelled from Ruhr. Latest information is that the opposing troops are concentrating at Wes tel, where 6000 Reiohwehr face 15,000' workers. Both sides possess artillery and are digging themselves in. Many isolated battles are reported. The Independent Socialist newspaper Ruhrechs issued a formal military communique claiming that the workers captured eleven guns and three thousand rifles. PARIS, March 21. All the industrial centres in the Ruhr region are in the hands of the workers. The administration of Essen, Borohum, Dortmund, Mulheiim and many other towns are controlled by the workers’ and masses’ committees. The office of burgomaster has been abolished. The Government troops were entirely driven out of Ruhr and many who were taken prisoner were cruelly ill-treated. The hatred of the regular troops baffles discriptioß,. A strong popular army is in course of formation, regardless of the terms of the Peace .Treaty. The polio© have been replaced by workers. LONDON, March 24.

The Independent and! Plural Socialists have issued terms dor ending the general strike. The Fluralists pledge themselves in their parliamentary programme to fight for the labour union claims. The Government has expressed its willingmjss to withdraw troops from Berlin to the line of the Spree and end the state of siege. It undertakes not to attack the workers, .particularly in Ruhr Valley, and to negotiate with labour unions for representation in the Defence Oorps. The labour unions claim to have a deciding influence upon social laws. All administrative offices must he puiged of counter - revolutionaries. The administration must be reformed quickly on the lines of nationalisation of industry, which must he commenced forthwith; also a better food supply must be arranged. If ,the claims are not carried out the Independents will proclaim a general strike. The Australian Press Association learns that indications are that yesterday’s settlement of the German strike will he generally respected. The strikers have begun work to-day. Reports from all parts show that they are settling down with the exception of the Ruhr Valley. The situation there is causing anxiety. It is feared that the Communists will cross the Rhine and raid the occupied zone in order to relieve the famine which, owing to the break-down, of transport and the interruption of administrative services, is a grave menace. Britain maintains firm 1 , neutrality andi has refused to consent to an Allied advance in the Ruhr Valley, which public opinion in France insistently demanded'. 1 There have-been numerous strikes in the occupied zone. All is now quiet. BERLIN, March 24. Herr Bauer, the Premier, has issued an appeal to the nation in which he notifies that the Government ia again in possession of full power. The president and Government have returned to Berlin and the National Assembly will meet on Wednesday. The appeal invites the people to resume the work of the reconstruction of Germany on democratic lines. BERLIN, March 25.

The Government has arranged) an armistice with th© Reds renewable daily. Bauer has completed a new Oabiufltf, He drops Noske and Erz- ' berger. No Independent Socialist is included in the ministry. The general etrifce lias been called off. PARIS, March 25. The Council of- Ambassadors has • considered Bauer’s request to be allowed to* send 100,000 German troops to Ruhr Valley. The French Government is strongly opposed to granting permission to allow such a large force to pass into the neutral zone despite the fact that twelve German battalions which were originally sent, failed to maintain order. Communications are now passing between London and Paris. PARIS, March 25. It is understood that the Supremo Council has agreed to allow Germany to despatch sufficient troops to the Ruhr Valley. THE HAGUE, March 25. Communists, ignoring the armistice, bombarded Wcsel for a whole day with 9-inch guns, The Government is bringing up reinforcements. Tbs Oomjaunast force;* are now estimated at 120,000 and are ,advancing '~4yn Lippe. LONDON, March 20. Tho Reds at Essen rejected the Government terms. They avow communism and claim to have occupied Wes el. 'COPENHAGEN, March 24.

Admiral Mercer has been released by the naval men at Kiel who arrested the officers. They demand the, right to choose their own officers, otherwise they will disband. As the Defence Minister had ordered units of the forces to be. kept, together in, all circumstances the demand will be granted. Meanwhile the nary has placed, itself at the disposal of the Government, if necessary, to combat thkj revolt of the left estranHat?.

BERLIN, March 25. The American charge d'affaires interviewed Bauer, warning him that any outrage against the constitutional government of Germany ifrom whatever side would lead to America stopping all supplies of food and raw material. PARIS, March 25. Le Matin .says that it is likely that Ebert will follow Noske’s example and resign. The paper also states l that the National Assembly will be transferred from Berlin. BERLIN, March 25. The Democrats and Pluralist® demand the retirement of the whole Cabinet, while the Centre wishes merely to fill the vaoacies in Bauer’s Cabinet. The prospects for a, purely Labour Government are email.