Omaha daily bee., 1908-01-13
THOUSANDS ATTEND MEETINGS
Demand Universal Suffrage and De-
nounce Chancellr m Buelow.
ATTEMPT TO p STREET.
Police with Drawn Sa = Aak Up
Crowds and Many Al d.
INFLUX FROM SUBURBS
Palace of the Emperor aud Residenc
of Chancellor won BueIOw Are
strongly Guarded-POIice
All on Duty.

AZ
BERLIN. Jan. 12-The determination Of
the socialists to secure direct universal
suffrage, combined with their indignation
against Chancellor Won Bueiow's curt dec
laration refusing their demand, gave rise
today to an unusual scene and monster
popular demonstration, accompanied by
disorders IN the streets OF the Prussan
sspitsl, in which 1900 organized socialists
participated with 3o.o00 sympathizers who
rom time to time actively Joined in the
manifestations
One of tho most remarkable features Of
today's uprising wss the number Of women
who engaged in the demonstrations, and
hey appeared even more earnest in their
activities than the men. The authorities
took the sternest measures TO prevent dis
orders and the strictest precautions to pro-
tcct the assembly and other public build
inss and Prince Won Buelow's residence
against the outbprst of fury. Groups in
the streets were dispersed in the most Wig
drous manner. and collisions between pro-
cessions Of manifestants and the police
suited In the injury OF considerable num-
ber Of the demonstrators. but so far is
known no fatality occurred in this city.
The police refrained from making arrests,
except IN cases OF extreme violence.
The movement extends throughout Prus-
STA where the socialists exceptionally
numerous. Reports received from other
cities, however, do not Indicate that the
administrations there were accompanied by
violence FP
Police All ON Duty.
notwithstanding the police commission
ers' warning that repressive measures will
be applied, many thousand socialists gath
cred in the morning at the GOO local head
quarters of the various districts of the cap
ital and thence proceeded in groups. sing
ing revolutionary songs. toward the eight
halls in the city where mass meetings had
been announced. From 10 o'clock in the
morning the entire police force had been
on duty. Two hundred men with officers
were hidden in each OF the fire stations.
and large bodies were held in reserve at
the police stations, while public buildings
were repoisitioned also where the poIiee
forces were auartered to act in any
emergency.
In the sardehs and outhouses and the
IsandtAg. before which the demonstration
on Friday occurred heavy guard was
stationed. Street cars and other vehicles
were permitted to drive in front of the
lFbullding. but no group OF more than two
pedestrians allowed to pass on any pre-
text. Chancellor Won Bueiow's palace on
wilhemstrasse was entirely cut off by
cordons OF police. violent manifesto
tions against the prince was feared while
the cnvirons OF the imperial palace. with
tho square in front. were closed to the
public Squads OF police, both on foot and
mounted. patrolled the central thorough
fares.
Socialists Are Determined.
Tho oocIaIlots ebou,ad 0,raat
tion in their attempts to hold PROFESSIONS
although the police made energetic en-
deavors 10 prevent this. Long before the
hour OF noon, the time fixed to begin the
meetings, all the halls were completely
packed and the police drew up in force
around the doors to hold the crowds In
check Those who could not get within
the buildings were driven into the edjoin-
ing streets by squads OF police. Inside the
halls the greatest enthusiasm prevailed and
the excitement increased as the speakers
denounced the name of the chancellor.
The speakers did not advise violence, but
declared that IL violence occurred the re-
sponsblity would fall upon the police and
the privileged classes. who refused the
people their rights.
Resolutions favoring universal suffrage
and secret ballot were adopted by ac-
cIamation, after which the audiences
streamed into the streets. The police i'm
mediately attempted TO disperse the
throngs, which showed an evident intention
20 march in procession toward the palace
square. In most cases the professions
were soon broken up, the police displaying
the utmost energy. Two formidable
columns. however. marched as far as
Alexander -Platz within a short distance
of the emperor's palace, where the police
charged them, inflicting many injuries.
Eventually they succeeded with the great
est difficulty In scattering the demonstra-
tors. who retired hooting and cheering
ironically towards Unter den Linden.
Thousands OF spectators already had
gathered there from curiosity and the
police followed the broken ranks of the
paraders. clearing the entire thoroughfare
as far as Brandenburg gate, where most
Of the people fled rapidly along the paths
20 Iiergarten Many OF them however.
escaped along the side streets, Friedrich
strasse and wilhelmstrasse.
Mounted Police Charge Crowds.
Later some thousands OF the demonstra-
tors gathered a short distance from Chan
,ellor yon Buelow's residence and began
,houting at the chancellor. who had driven
,oward Freideriehstrasse. Their attitude
became So threatening that the mounted
ana foot police charged them. striking right
and left with their sabTes Scores of man
ifestants were knocked down and trampled
Upon, and the great crowd at length was
broken up into small groups, among whom
there were many injured.
Another serious collision occurred al
Jungfern bridge. where many suffered Sc
we're contusions. on Moritz platz an Inn
mense throng shouted and hooted until the
police with drawn arms forced them into
The side streets. Thousands attempted tC
reach Berlin from the suburbs after thS
meetings there, but found every thorough.
fare barred. Il was impossible 10 gel
through without contact with the police
and 4 great majority OF the excursionlstl
returned to their homes.
Towards evening quiet was resumed IN