The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-21
Ledebour Characterizes Re- prisal Measures Against Russia as Barbarism and Wild Scene Follows
CRIES OF SHAME"
 GREET THE SPEAKER
 AS HE CONTINUES
Socialists ap Element
 Clash Ss .eated Argu- men. esult of Address Be's z Quiet Is Restored

%0tsGVstS AAaANAt @Vs-Af sOb AnsJ A wild scene occurred in the German Reichstag today during the second reading of the budget, according to a Berlin Reuters telegram by way of Amsterdam. The tumult was aroused by speech delivered by George Lede- bour, a socialist deputy, who protested against 'the military administration trying to Germanize portions of French territory, from which arises on the part of Alsace-Lorraine, a de- sire for French rule"
 The statement was received with an angry cutbust on the part of the depu- ties, some members shouting: What about the party of peace?'
 Continuing, Herr Ledebour said:
 '''I indorse everything said in praise of our brave troops and their commanders, but ir political performances the military authorities are not up-to-date l am hor- rihed to learn that for every German vil- age burned by the Russians three Rus sian villages shall be burned"
 This Is barbarism.' shouted Dr. Karl Liehrecht, another socialist deputy while from the right came three indignant pro- tests, one member shouting: We won't permit the supreme military authorities to be thus attacked
 When order had been temporarily re- stored, Herr Ledebour continued:
 Strike at Poles
 Such measure strikes not only at the Russians but at the Poles and Lithu- nians, on whose cooperation we must count
 This statement resulted in renewed disturbance and cries of Finish. the deputies sprInging from their seats and excitedly shouting for order. the vice president of the house in tho meantime having declared that criticism of the army administration was not permissible.
 Encouraged by members of his own party, who shouted, Speak up in the name of your party" Herr Ledebour con- tinued:
 "The German policy must be such that thesc peoples will see in Germany a shield to- and a safeguard of, their free dom. As socialist and as German patriot I believe I ought to emphasize lHl5. l ndVF uOne lnlS III the interest or my beloved fatherland and of Europe"
 Herr Ledebour concluded his speech in the face of loud opposition cries of Shame"
 Leaders of the various parties protested against the remarks by Deputy Ledebour. Major Ernst Bassermann, a national ib- eral member, said:
 I've regret the necessity for such re- prisals but if the Russians burn on all cfdac and a Ia Wa sider that this does not demand such action from our military authorities as vii, put a stop to the inhuman warfare waged by the Russians?''
 Herr Gretchen of the centre party, said that if the military authorities were compelled. in view of the Russians &C., tions, to take the severest reprisals in the shape of measures which are permissible under international law, they should not be hindered by representatives of the people
 Phillip Schidemann. socialist deputy, declared in the name of his party that Herr Ledebour was invited to speak only on the language of the question:; his other remarks were made on his own account and he alone bears the respon- sibility for them''
 Minister of the Interior Del Brueck as- serted he would not be worthy in the present situation if he replied to Herr Ledebour's speech
 Criticism Insulting
 For every one present today de- clared the minister, "this hour will be among his btterest memories. Herr L.edebours criticism is unconstitutional and insulting in form and is directed against the most honored army leader.
 "The war has taught us that we are materially and morally richer than we L <l.- f.f1 Thou 1v1<V is holy treasure for every German. without consideration of religion or party Matters which divided us in times of peace now have been set aside in this imperishable success, which offers new vroof to the enemy of the economic and moral invincibility of the German peo- ple." Berlin, March 20.-(via London. March 2l, 3:25 a. m.)-The so-called truce of God" among political parties suffered 2 bad breach in the Reichstag today, lead ing to exciting scenes, such as have been unknown since the war began, and re- vcaiing an apparent rift in the socialist ranks.
 George Ledebour, socialist deputy, na de the leading speech for his party and during his remarks criticized the German military authorities. Philipp Scheide- ram, another socialist member, later made formal statement in behalf Of the party, however disavowing Ledebour's attack. and Deputy Heine. one of the leading socialists, interrupted while Herr Iedebour was talking and shouted that the latter was not speaking on behalf of the socialists.
 Deputy Ledebours offense consisted in saving that he was absciutely mortified when a few days ago the military au- the rites announced that they would burn three Russian villages for every one burn ed by the Russians. These words raised a stormy protest among the nonsocialisr members who shouted ttreason;" We. protest" "Call him to order" ana ''Shamelessness.
 Dr Karl Liebknecht, socialist, inter- Jected the word ''barbarism. for which the president of the Reichstag later called him to order. Herr Stadthagen, a socialist member. criticized the censor ship.