EJECTION OF LIEBKNECHT.

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13275, 2 September 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

EJECTION OF LIEBKNECHT.

Tin* (■< mini) papers are not allowed to ' j tiiMi si any ) e]><>r: of the wild stviie.> w lnclt .!<•( iii'l'c.l in the Reichstag at the rlii-,' ill the session on April 15, except liiat -applied officially from the Peieli--:an. .Not a word may he printed of I)r l.iebkneeht's speeches, which caused the scenes. As such strict censorship on Reich '.t;m reports has never been exercised before ii may readily he assumed that the .scenes were of a character uliich baffles description. The dissident Social;-i section has introduced a proposal 111 the Reichstag with a view to safeguarding liberty of speech in Parliament . Kxcluded by the President. — 11 .t happened (the 'Vorwaerts' says) is thai. I)r Li'ibkneeht tried to speak about the German War loan. The report published by Ihe newsi'<"• pels was composed liy the President '>! tiie Reichstag. The Vorwaerts a riles; "As we are not allowed to pubish our own version, we confine our--elves in the statement that I)r LiebAiiecht finally, amid uproarious scenes, v.'is excluded from ihe sitting by the President. The forcible removal of the Socialist leader followed.

I lie organ ol the Schleswig Danes, published at I'lellsbui'g, gives j'|j]| r( ,_ ion of the debate in the Reichstag and l)r Liebliiiccbt's interruptions. When the Chancellor declared "Our •neiuies chose war," l)r Liebknecht -houted: "Lies! "ion chose it!" Shore was 1 reniendous indignation, and shouts ol ''Throw him out!" "Blackuttard! ''Dirty dog!" etc., were hoard. At a later passage in the speech, when the Chancellor said "We want neighbors with whom we can work to inr mutual advantage," Dr Liebkneclit interjiosed, smilingly: "Where'ipon you suddenly assail and strangle nem. I here was ■an unprecedented 'proar in t!io House, members hurling lie strongest- epithets at Dr Lieb-•-liecht. woo replied by shouting "I ehri fall!'' (''lnvasion. - ') When the Chancellor remarked: 'Germany is only lighting in self-do-ence. Does anyone really believe in

fs itr-nti-ililo greed lor territory?" Dr Liebknceht thundered "Yes, certain. .1 Ins again called iortli ,i storm ■f dissent, one member, Herr Kerclionstciiicr, shouting at the top of his oice: "Hit him on the head! Kick dm out! Several members adopted i threatening attitude, and were called o order by the President. —The Casement Plot Admitted.— Whilst the votes for military camps l were Icing discussed, Dr Liebknceht said: — j 1 repeat that I have documents i"i I my hands showing that an agreement was made between the I lider-Seoro-*ary for Foreign Affairs, IT err Zimmennaun, and Sir Hoger Casement, liy which British prisoners of war were to bo drilled to fight against) England. l)r ! 'asehe. the \ ice-President, interrupting, pointed out that the remarks had no connection v.'ith the estimates. Dr Liebknceht replied: "We have here a. treasonable propaganda, ly encouraged, going on in these troo;> camps." After being called to order, Dr Liebknceht continued: "M'ohammedian prisoners of war are also being systematically forced into service against their own country." (The Speaker was again called to order.) I)r Liebknceht: "You are systematically ragging me." (Shouts from ad parts of the House of "Traitor!" and "You ought to bo in an .asylum!") Dr Liebknect was then forbidden t»> continue.

—Xo I* Boa I Discussion Allowed.— Subsequently the Estimates for tho Navy tiiino up. and' on those Dr Liebkin clii. ilio only speaker, criticised the submarine policy. Dr Paascho requested Dr Liebknecht to drop this subject as the submarino question had been settled by resolution of the Reichstag. Dr Liebknccht: "At any'rate, reasons for the change in the Admiralty must be discussed." Dr Paasehe replied that Secretaries f State were appointed by the Kaiser, nd tho Reichstag was not entitled to 'scuss reasons for changes in high Dices. Dr Liebknecht, however, continued :is criticisms, and ultimately said "I hall now discuss the memorandum' 011 tho question of armed merchantmen, '>r which the Admiralty is responsible." The Vice-President here njsked the To,use whether it wished to listen further to Dr Liebknccht. The House decided in the negative. Dr Liebknccht: "You ought to bo shamed of yourselves."