The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-26
BIG RIOT.
Dissatisfied WOrkmen March to The
Imperial Castle.
SEVERE CONFLICTS WITH POLICE


The Mob Intended 10 Uige the Em-
peror 70 Redress Their Grievances.
but We're Prevented by ..His
Butchers--Ba Bakeries Looted by the
Hungry Mob
BERLIN, Feb, 20. Yesterdays riot is
the all absorbing topic Of conversation.
But for the vigorous action Of the police
the affair would have been converted
into a revolution. 1t started at meet
ing Of some four thousand worlingmen
who had gathered at Lips brewery to
hear the report of delegate sent to the
bnrgomaster, Herr Forkenbeck, asking
him to see the emperor in behalf of Ber-
Inns unemployed workingmen, and to
intercede with his majesty in their be-
half. Though the burgomaster is an
extreme Liberal, he felt that he dared
not receive deputation representing a
body of men who were violating the low
against public assembly, and he sent q
messenger advising them to disperse
quietly. When the deputation reported
to the meeting there was scene of
widest excitement. Some proposed to
march to the reichstag in body and de-
mand redress. This caused howl that
must have been heard for miles.
ITO the CASTER.
Then some one shouted: "To the
castle! Let's tear down the gates, If
necessary, and see the EMPEROR
Thereupon steps were Immediately
taken to gather the great body OF work
men into some sort Of order, the social
list portion of those present showing
themselves to be admirably ready to
convert an unweildy body OF shouting,
yelling, excited men into parade shape.
Amidst the uproar q number of the
cooler heads and more thoughtful of the
leaders Of the workmen tried, almost in
vain, to be heard. In loud, piercing
tones they implored the men not to lose
their heads, and to remember that they
were buta small handful when measured
against the garrison and police of Ber-
lin. No attention was paid to the plead
ings of the 2eacemakers, and the cry
was repeated again and again, ITO the
castler'
Insults TO the Emperor.
The mention Of the emperor,s name
was received with h0wls of derision ON
all sides, accompanied by q perfect hur-
ricane of grossly insulting remarks adj
dressed to his majesty, who must have
trembled for the security Of his throne
had he been present. The real senti-
ments of the German mass seemed for a
time to have expressed the bitter curse
and fearful insults hurled by 5000
tongues at the young grandson of the
great Emperor William. All the recent
utterances and doings of the present
emperor OF Germany seem to have
struck deep and dangerous root in the
hearts of the people, for upon this occa-
sion, as if resolved to give free vent to
the long pent up feelings Of indignation
and wrath, the workmens the Socialists
and their sympathizers recalled and
jeered at everything recently credited
to their monarch. The utterance at
Brandenburgh about causing everybody
in Germany who did not support him to
shake the dust of Germany from their
feet was particularly referred to with
deep curses, as was the other and SINH
lar remark, credited to his majesty. to
the effect that he would grind to pow
der those who opposed him."
The Police Active.
In the meanwhile the police had not
been idle. Even before the rioters
had started for the castle the police had
been at work among them. In addition
to the calming utterances of the more
level headed leaders there had been de-
ivered number of heated and most
seditious addresses by socialist and other
agitators. who urged the men who at
tended tie meeting at the brewery to
strike blow for their liberties. Almost
unknown to the rioters three Of the
most pronounced speakers were quietly
and deity arrested on the charge Of lese
majestic.
1t is now estimated that fully 5000
persons marched through the Inter
Linden and almost to the castle gates.
the ..Marseilles" roaring its echoes
into the sacred apartments of the en-
peror The officers in command of the
different corps of the garrison were
communicated with by mounted riders
and by wire. From every available
quarter detachments of police were hur-
riedly sent for, arriving at the palace on
a trot and completely armed. BY this
time the rioters had reached point out
side of the castle gates, and there they
halted, sang the ..Marsailles" in thun-
dering tones, and wildly shouted for the
emperor to appear.
Charged by the Police.
So soon as the force of police on the
spot had been sufficiently reinforced a
charge upon the rioters was ordered,
and then began series OF the most des-
perate hand to hand fights ever wit
messed in the streets of Berlin The DO
lice, it was evident, had received strict |
order to avoid bloodshed; but they hit
right and left with the flat of their
swords, pounded away with the stock
Of their rifles Or hammered at the riot
ers with batons. During the melees the
police made about 100 arrests, but each
arrest seemed to be the signal for an at
tempt at rescue upon the part of the
mob, and in some cases they tore their
comrades from the grasp of the police |
and carried them away in triumph. |
Though it is said that moro than 5000 |
men were gathered around about the |
statue Of Frederick the Great when the |
s.Marseilles'' startled the good people of |
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