Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-07

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The two men passed on. The room
in which they found themselves. was a
small one, and there were not more
I than so people present 1t was very
dimly lit. and they could barely make
out the forms of the row of men who
were sitting upon chairs upon. the
platform. They contented themselves
with seats quite close to the door. No
Drinks were being served here. All
though one or two men were smoking,
the general aspect seemed TO be one OF
stern and serious intensity. A man
upon the platform was just finishing
speaking as they entered. and he APP
parently called upon some one else. y
large and heavy German stood up on
the center of the slightly raised stage
He wore shapeless clothes and horn
trimmed spectacles. HIs face was
benevolent. He had a double chin and
a soft voice.
My brothers." he said. at these our
meetings we have many things to dis
cuss. We have little time TO waste.
Why beat about the bush7 I am here
to speak to you Of the greatest enemy
our cause has in the world-Prince
Adolf Rudolf Won Falkenberg."
He paused. There was an ugly little
murmur through the room. II was very
easy indeed to understand that the
man whose name had been mentioned
was unpopular.
The cause OF socialism" the speaker
continued. as the one cause we all have
at heart. In our Fatherland il -four
ishes, but IL fiourishes slowly. The
reason that we are denied our just and
legitimate triumphs is simply owing to
the vigorous opposition, the brutal en-
nifty. OF Prince Adolf Rudolf Won
Falkenberg. Ny brothers. this man has
been warned. His only answer has
been a fresh and more diabolical meas
ure. He fights us everywhere with the
herceness of man who hates his en-
envy. 1t is our duty. brethren. that we
do not see our cause retarded by the
enmity of any one man. Therefore. II
is my business TO say to you tonight
that that man should. be removed"
There was murmur of voices, one
clearer than the others.
But how?"
The man on the platform adjusted his
spectacles.
MY brother asks how? 1 will tell
him. Falkenberg loves war. We others
hate IL. We work always to infuse
pies and theories. Falkenberg falls
upon them with all his might and main.
There are orders posted in every bar
racks in Germany. Our literature is
conhscated. Any man preaching our
doctrines Is drummed out upon the
streets. I say that these things cannot
last I say that Falkenberg must go.
A friend in the audience has asked
how. / will answer you. There is a
Hxr OF nh
what similar to ours. but who go fur
Their. 1t is possible they see the truth.
But for US at present II is not possible
to accept their general principles. This
case is an exception. The anarchists OF
Berlin. one Of whom, Franz Kuzman. Is
here tonight. will dispose Of Falkenberg
for US II we provide sufficient funds
to make an escape possible, and an an
nuity for the executioner should he
live. or for his wife should he die"
There was a slow. ominous murmur
of voices. The fat man on the platform
beamed at everybody.
KAUFMAN is here upon the platform
he announced. Does any one wish to
hear himT'
KAUFMAN stood up-an awkward. raw
boned. dark-featured man. In a coat
that was too short for him. he stood
rather like a puppet upon the platform.
IF you delegates of the socialist So
cieties decide that it is just" he said,
in a hoarse. unpleasant tone, Il am
willing to see that Falkenberg meets
his reward. I can say no more. / do
not fail. I move against no one save
those who deserve death and against
whom the death sentence has been pro-
nounced. But when I do move that
man dies" ...
SIS II your WISH" he asked that
KAUFMAN be authorized by you to ar
range this AFFAIR."
The murmur of voices was scarcely IN
telHgible.
Into the hands of every one Of you"
the fat man continued, will be placed
strip of paper. You will write upon 1t
Yes or. No Kuzman will be instruct
ed according to your verdict.
Someone on the platform hustled around.
Hendricks and Julien we're both supplied
with the long strips. In few minutes
these were collected. The man upon the
platform turned up the lights httle
higher. He drew a small table toward
him and began sorting out the papers
into two heaps. One was obviously mucn
larger than the other. Toward the END
he came across a slip. however. at which
he paused. He read it with knitted brows,
half arose to his feet and stopped. Then
he went on with his counting. Presently
he got Up.
MY brothers." he said. there are ~
papers here OF these, IS agree TO the ap-
pointment Of HUMAN for the purpose
we have spoken OF. Six are against 1t.
One pap.r 1 will read to You. The writer
has not troubled to put Yes or No This /
is what find:
" 'Falkenberg has served his emperor
and his country to the whole extent OF
his will and his capacity. He has given
his life TO make his country great. II he
has been stern upon the cause of Social |
ism, IL Is because he does not believe that
Socialism. as II is at present preached. is
good for Germany. I vote, therefore,
that Falkenberg lives
w desire 70 know the speaker con-
tinued, who wrote those words. They /
do not sound like the words Of one of
our delegates. Johann and Hesler, stand
by the door. Turn up the lights: Let US
see exactly Who there is here tonight I'M /
known to us"
There was a little murmur. A man
who stood only three or four PAGES of 4
from Hendricks and Julien rose silently I
to his feet and moved toward the door. 1
It was as yet locked. however. From
the other end Of the room the lights were =
suddenly heightened. The faces Of the
men were now distinctly visible. A light I
In the body OF the hall hared up. A man
was discovered with his hand upon the ]
door handle. There was a hoarse murmur