The Washington times., 1906-03-18
Socialist Meetings To-
morrow May Result
in Trouble.
THREATS ARE MUTTERED
Leaders Angry Over What
They Term Unnecessary
Precautions.

BERLIN. March 1.-THE greatest re-
sentiment is expressed by socialist lead
ers here because or the preparations
which have been made. by the a1thori-
ties, as they say, 70 interfere with the
socialistic meetings arranged to be held
tomorrow to commemorate the hfry-
eighth anniversary OF the Berlin revolu-
ton of 1szs.
On the plea that it may be necessary
70 use force 70 prevent the socialists from
induls1ng in revolutionary demonst-s-
tons the authorities have arranged 10
have all meetings closely watched by
police attachments and the entire Ber-
lin garrison IS being held under arms.
The socialists deny that there has been
any need for such preparations. and
they insist that these arrangements have
not been made by the government mere
ly as q safeguard but with the iatep.son
OF intimidating the socialists an1i pre-
venting them from holding their meet
ings for fear OF arrest
Some Meetings Abandoned
The socialists Contemplated hoId.ag 10
meetings in various parts OF the city.
to commemorate the anniversary. Some
Of these meetings have been abandoned
because Of the measures taken by the gov
eminent, but the socialist leaders "a,
the majority OF the meetings win bA bAld
as planned. and they declare thar tSa.,
VIII not allow the preseaceof policemen
or the knowledge that troops ara beinr
held in readiness to crush them a. =
moments notice. to interfere with fba
program OF their meetings as originally
planned.
The socialists are angry al the fraaf-
ment they have received At tho banas
OF the officers, and muttered threats
have been hesrd on the part of sons
OF the more radical. The authorities
have taken the very worst method OF
handling the situation. according 20
managers OF the meetings. to prevent
disorders. The cOmmemoration affairs
were originally plannad as orderly
gatherings for the purpose Of deliver
Ing socialist speeches and pronouncing
eulogies for the martyrs OF 1S4s. The
stand taken by the government, II ia
pointed out. is unjustified. and II dis
orders occur, the socialists claim ths
responsibility viii rest upon the au-
tnorities for arousing their followers
by the preparations made 10 subdue
them by force OF arms il necessary.
wheR there was no reason TO believe
that such precautions were necessary.
Authorities Are Determined.
The preparations OF the authorities
are very complete. and those whose
duty il is to see that order is preserved
are confident that they will be able
70 preserve order. All the police in
Berlin viii be on duty today, and a
careful watch viii be kept on the va.
rious meetings. In addition to chis tho
entire garrison has been under arms
for six hours, and this precautioa viii
be continued until eighteen hours after
the meetings are sI over In case an
outbreak OF any kind should occur, and
the police are unable 10 cope with thS-
situation. troops can be hurried to the
danger point IN shOft order.
II IL becomes necessary for fhs
soldiers to fire on the people they viii
shoot to Kill
The authorities are determined thas
the socialists shall not assemble IN tha
center of the city. and that there shall
be no demonstration beneath the win
doEs OF the Kaiser's palace. as IL in
stated the socialists had planned. In
view OF all their preparations the au-
tEorites profess TO believe that the
]
break
The temper OF the socialists is such
however. that It is impossible to pre-
DICT what may happen An ir,passioned
speaker may carry the crowds cut OF
all bounds.
People at Fever Heat.
In view OF the feeling aroused among
socialists generally by the military
preparations very little provocation viii
be needed TO stir the people who viii
gather at the meetings TO the point OF
desperate action II the police atteu1pr
to offer foreible resistance to any So
ciaIist project. IL is almost certain To-
bring on clash. and this iE equally
certain to be accompanied with blood
shed II the troops are called out
Although the situation is extremely
dangerous, l. IL impossible to tell
what the day may bring.
YOUTH SERIOUSLY INJURED