The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-26 00:00:00

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The Military Riots in Rendsburg.

DRESDEN, July 23.
The following official report has been received
hero from General von Hake, commending the
Federal troops in Holstein, of the disturbances
between Prussian and Saxon and Hanoverian sol-
diers in Rendsburg on the 18th inst. :
" Altona, July 20.
" Upon the 17th a quarrel arose in a dancing-
house outside Rendshurg, between Prussian soldiers
upon the one side and Saxons and Hanoverians on
the other. It was ultimately settled by the non-
commissioned officers on duty without calling for
further assistance.
"The affair, however, seems to have given rise to
further lamentable excesses upon the 18th, the fol-
lowing day, which unfortunately did not pass over
without numerous wounds being inflicted by both
the parties in dispute. These were the men of the
Prussian 15th Infantry Regiment and of an Artil-
lery company quartered in Rendsburg, and the non-
commissioned officers and men of the 3d Hano-
verian Infantry. In addition to the bad feeling
previously obtaining between the men, and the want
of sufficient precaution to prevent such conflicts,
was the unfortunate circumstance that the barracks
in which the Hanoverians were quartered are situ.
ated in the same street as the Prussian hospitals, and
in their immediate neighbourhood. Notwithstand-
ing that the excesses were confined to isolated con-
flicts in various parts of the Neuwerk suburb, and
that the Saxon and Hanoverian troops readily
obeyed the tatoo which was beaten at 9 p,m.
the Prussian commandant of the Kronwerk,
Major von Hake, attached so much impor-
ance to an entirely unfounded report that
the Hanoverians intended to storm the above-
mentioned hospitals, that he required the
protection of the two companies of the 15th Infan-
try cantoned in Oster and Wester Roenfeld.
" This step was taken without reference to the
Hanoverian commandant at Rendsburg, Lieut.-
Colonel Demmer, but also without his offering any
opposition, although he was upon the spot and in
communication with Major von Hake.
" The accounts of both parties coincide in stating
that the Hanoverians were in their quarters by
half-past nine. Towards 10 o'clock the Prussian
companies arrived, loaded with ball, bivouacked
until towards morning upon the parade square, and
sent out continually strong patrols. By one of
these patrols four Hanoverian non-commissioned
officers, returning from visiting headquarters, were
wounded after 10 o'clock, This is according to
Hanoverian reports, the carreetness of which the
Prussians deny.
"The only circumstance that appears in any
way to justify such extraordinary measures may
be that the Hanoverians quartered in the aforesaid
barracks created unnecessary disturbance in the
street before the hospitals, and may very probably
have abused the Prussians. The stone-throwing
with which they are charged has, at least, injured
nobody, and the stones must also have been thrown
through opened windows, as the panes are reported
intact.

"The whole affair was confined to a mere excess,
such as will happen among mixed garrisons, path.
eularly where, as here, one class of troops, having
served with distinction against the enemy, is per-
haps inclined to be more exacting than at other
times, and the other class does not feel inclined to
submit. At any rate, the mutual position is diffi-
cult, and requires tact and good sense to be brought
to a fortunate issue. But M&jor von Hake has
telegraphed in such terms to his Majesty the King
of Prussia, in Berlin, and to his Royal Highness
Prince Frederick Charles, that two more Prussian
companies reached Rendsburg from Schleswig
yesterday, as reinforcements and for eventful assist-
ance, and I have good reason to believe that further
Prussian detachments are on the march from Kiel.

Especial importance and moaning, therefore, ap•
pears to have been attached to these occurrences.
" Yesterday afternoon, as soon as I received the
first report of the disturbances, I immediately sent
Colonel von Fabrice to Rendsburg to prevent any
recurrence of disorder, and to inform me at the same
time of the real position of affairs. The Hanoverian
Ilajor•General von dem Knesebeck also received
orders to repair to Rendsburg the same evening
and examine into and report upon what occurred.
I farther requested the Prussian commander to
adopt the same course as far as possible. Colonel
Fabrice will go to-day to the headquarters of
the allied army in Apenrade, to lay before his
Royal Highness Prince Frederick Charles, to whom
very highly coloured reports have probably been
made—our view of what has taken place, and to
obviate, if possible, any farther concentration of
Prussian troops upon Rendsburg and the vicinity.
" Finally, I have very respectfully to report that
no further disturbances occurred yesterday or last
night, and that indeed no reason appears to exist
for the assumption that they could be renewed. All
requsite measures of.precaution have taken place.
" GUSTY VON HAKE, Lieut.-General."
The following correspondence has taken place in
consequence of the disturbances :
" PRINCE FREDERICK CHARLES OF PRUSSIA TO

GENERAL VON HAKE.
" I have respectfully to inform your Excellency
that the outrages committed within the last
few days by soldiers of the Federal garrison
against Prussian sentinals and hospitals demand
an immediate guarantee against the repetition of
such and still further insults and dangers to the
chief station and depot of the allied army.
"His Majesty, my King and master, has there•
fore been induced to issue the following order :—I
am to take possession of Rendsburg, and make my-
self master of the place. In consequence of this
Major-General von Goben will present himself be-
fore Rendsburg at noon, upon the 21st, with 6,000
men and two batteries, in readiness to undertake
the occupation of the posts.

" It will depend upon the moderation, tact, and
energy so frequently shown by your Excellency
whether this inevitable step, indispensable to the
honour of the Prussian army, shall be carried out
in such a manner that the regulation of the entire
affair may be left to subsequent diplomatic negotia-

ion."

" GENERAL VON HAKE TO PRINCE FREDERICK
CHARLES.

" Your Royal Highness's communication of the
inst. has been received by me, having crossed Col.
von Fabrics, despatched upon a mission to head-
quarters. In view of the truthful explanations
which my officer will have given your Royal High-
ness as to the military riots in Rendsburg, I feel
firmly convinced that military measures of so re-
markable a character would not have been adopted
if your Royal Highness had been already in posses-
sion of my officer's verbal report.
" It is impossible for me, therefore, to consent to
the occupation of Rendsburg by Prussian troops,
but also clearly out of my power, independent. of
other important reasons, to think of offering mili-
tary opposition with a weak gartison of four com-
panies.

" I must therefore decline all responsibility, and
leave your Royal Highness to be answerable for the
consequences. In case of your Royal Highness ed-
hering to the intention you have expressed, I shall,
however, for the present, withdraw the troops from
Itndsburg to avoid a conflict."
It has already been communicated by telegraph
that General von Goben occupied the town and
fortress of Rendsburg with a combined brigade at
noon on the 21st.

LIE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—D tiring
the five days the show was open at Newcastle last week,
114.281 persons were admitted, and the money taken at the
entrances amounted to £8,171. The aggregate amount taken
at the Leeds meeting was £10,889 ; Newcastle, therefore,
occupies the second position as regards the number of
vieitors and the amount of money taken.