The sun., 1917-04-28
Admission Made by NUM-
tiOnS Minister in Ap-
peal to Workers.
MAY DAY RIOTS FEARED
Severe Punishment Asked for
LabOrers, Whose Demands
Are Called Madness.

AMSTERDAM. via London April 21.-
Gen. 'Groerer. Minister OF Munitions. In
)ustifytns his Imperative demand for a
cessation Of the munitions strike said In
speech before the Reichstag commit
tee that the so-called Leipzig programme
and the telegram to the Imperial Chan
cellor demanding that he should receive
deputation and listen to political de-
mands. including one for the franchise
and the creation of labor council on
the Russian style, were factors which
had completely changed the situation.
These demands. said Gen. Croener were
madness and imposed upon the lnexper-
ence, good nature and honesty OF the
workers
There shall be no more strikes and
We will ruthlessly prosecute wire pull
ers and hit these political traitors to the
law" he said.
Gen. Grocner asserted that the work
ers who had gone on strike had been
hypnotized and did not know what they
were doing. He sad that even a strike
which lasted only three hours was a bad
thing. but added that it was intelligible
that the workmen should be depressed
over the decreased bread ration. He
continued:
.'Hypnotism of Masses
They wanted 10 demonstrate to the
Government where II had failed. IL was
hypnotism Of the masses. The worknen
who struck on Monday hardly knew why
they had done so. On Tuesday every
ono had returned to his senses and on
Wednesday political change had come
about We hold proofs that infiainn,atoiy
matter was smuggled in from abroad.
II demand that strikes cease in the
future. but on the other hand, the work
men must have mouthpeces through
which they may make known their de-
sires and complaints. That purpose will
be answered by the appointment OF labor
representatives on food organization and
they will have another mouthpiece in
the auxiliary service law.
"I will not tolerate an agitation for
strike ard I also will not tolerate an
agitation against the rights guaranteed
to the worknen by the auxiliary service
law"
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg has
addressed a letter to the governments
: OF the various German States denouncing
the strikes He urges the authorities
! to punish strikers and strike agitators
rs severely as possible.
workmen Demand Food.
! The general committee OF tho German
Labor Federation in letter 10 Gen.
Groener sent In reply to Field Marsha.
Won HndenburE's recent letter on the
| strike says:
. I'VE expect with certainty that the
| promise OF mea sures for safeguarding the
| food supplies OF towns IN the industrial
! districts will be fully carried out. thereby
removing the strongest cause for anxiety
among the working classes.
Furthermore everything must he
avoided tending to lead workers to be-
/ lieve their efforts lack full appreciation
| and consideration. Inadequate wages,
having regard TO the cost OF living. un-
necessary harshness in enforcing the
| auxiliary service law. and attempts to re-
strict or nullify rights guaranteed 20
workers by law are apt continually to
/ give rise to conflicts.
| unfortunately many employers
especially in the big industries. and de-
spite the long duration Of the war, have
| not abandoned the methods OF treating
|
caused great Dissatisfaction and sharp
conflicts. Everything must he done TO
maintain the efficiency Of the army at
home
| I'VE agree that strikes at the present
| juncture should be avoided and that the
safety Of the empire is paramount There
Is no thinking person but admits fhat
only increased power OF resistance can
, bring a speedy peace. and mat this Is
only attainab!e by refrain!ng from ac-
tions calculated to paralyzc the strength
OF the men in the trenches. who are
called on to endure the effects o. the
immense numbers OF guns ard quantities
| n. munitions accumulated by England
America and France on the western
font
Assistance Proni ised.
I'VE will do everything to help. anf
| regret that a few insignificant quar-
| ters have resorted to the strike weapon
| This would not have happened unless
there we're distinct causes Of discomfort
| among the working populations. Th'
desire for a speedy termination or th'
bloody struggle is as keen among th'
German people as among the other bel
ligerent nations.
"The chief causes for the prevailing
spirit OF unrest are inadequacy of thu
| food policy and des~e to obtain meas
ures for providing for the complete
reauisition and just distribution OF al
| available foodstuffe.
"Workers are aware. and the fact Il
undeniabie, that large quantities oi
foodstufYs are still obtainablc outside
the rationing system. but at prices PRO
hibitiye to the workers. These food
stufys are consumed mainly by people
who are not compelled to give theiI
full working capacities and service Il
the defence Of the country. The desir,
to bring about more equal dstribu
ton Of foodstufH has been the funda
mental cause OF these strikes.
I'VE will always lay due emphasis or
tho sin against the country committee
BY those who wilfully impair our power
Of resistance. But on the other hant
everything must be done to maintain ca
(0swst~ssd on Isvrtk Ps9Gl