The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-02-02
KAISER'S MAILED FIST Turned AGAINST WORKMEN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF WAR

Severe measures of repression
have been taken by the German aov-
ernmsnt against the workers whose
strike movement in important indus
trial eentsrs during the week has
tied up many plants engaged in
munition and war supply work. In
retaliation for one of these measures
the arrest Of an Independent
Socialist dsputy-a nationwide
demonstration is threatened, accord
ing to adviees through Holland to.
day.
Berlin, the center Of the movement,
is entirely in the hands of the mill
tary, il is indicated not only by the
proeIamations of the military gov
ernor Of the district but by the con-
fessed powerIessness of even the
highest civil authority, the imperial
chancellor, himself, to take action in
the present situation.
This feature of the situation
developed after the arrest of the
Independent Socialist leader, William
Dittmann, for attempting to address
. crowd in a Berlin suburb. An ap-
peal to Chancellor Won HertIina for
his release made by Hugo Haase, |
another of the leading independent
Socialists met with the response, ac-
cording 10 a news agency dispatch, |
that the chancellor was Helpless, as
Berlin was entirely under military !
control.
Other adviess report the niIitariza-
ton of factories in Berlin where /
strikes are in progress. Seven Of
them are said TO have been placed |
announcement made that the strikers /
would be subjected 70 military
discipline If they did not return TO
their work by Monday morning at
the latest.
News of fresh disorders in the
Berlin, district came through today.
The disturbances were notably vio-
lent at Spandau, where soldiers are
to have been attacked by a
mob. The daily Berlin semi official
statement minimizes the troubles,
which are declared to have been iso-
ated and insignificant. IL also claims
The resumption of work in Hamburg
md Danzia.
One year Of ruthless warfare byI
German submarines brings this an
swer from Sir Eric Geddes, first lord
It the Srikish admiralty;
"The submarine is heldlD Coinei-
isnt with this announcement comes
he disclosure by q Dutch newspaper
hat German military and financiaIi
eaderB expected the U-hoats TO brinul
sreat Britain TO her knees in six
months and end the war.
Sinking of merchant shipping has I
lropped below the level maintained ,
,efore the policy of unlimited de- /
went into effect on Feb. 1, I
s17. Sir Eric Geddes declares he can
oresee no change in the situation 7
ut for the better. To BRING about /
he complete defeat Of the U-boats :
oon it is necessary 10 have ships I
nd more ships, Sir Eric says, and i
e believes that the ship builders of T
he United States and Great Britain Il
will meet the emergency.
The Amsterdam Handelsblad says
hat before ruthIessness was decided
pom the German naval and military
saders consulted finaneiers and
usiHess men and IL was agreed that
he submarine was the only means
+ defeating Great Britain and max
"a "a firm peace" Little weioht was
ttaehsd to the opinion that unlim- T
ed U-boat warfare would result in L
70 United States entering the war.
Interest is added to the strike
tuation in Germany by the pubIi-
alton in German newspapers Of the
Itiine of an alleged Anglo Amsri-
IN plot 70 spread dissension in the
,ntraI powers. The German papers G
aim, reports say, that $4,000, ,000I h
arISs was raised in Washington for ct
,s use Of an organization which was ts
organize revolts and strikes IN HI
srmany and the countries Of her Is
lies through branches in neutral s.
Iuntries and German speaking ct
,utrals sent into Germany. h
Threats and force are being used
the German military authorities al
crush the strikers. These drastic IN
easures, however, have not yet bt
lded the strike movement. The cen te
rship is permitting only sen1i-of- cI
.iaI statements on the situation to hg
ave Germany and even these make bl
claim that the strike has ended. w
1ese statements report little gain IN sh
9 strike movement, except in the hs
,rIin and Altona districts. where tb
uch war material is manufactured.
10 police and military have dis re
lved the workers organizations ed
d dispersed meetings Of strikers ar
{ the semi official statements de- De
ire there has been no disorder. a
is said to exist in Ber- vi
over the outcome Of the Brest- ca
tovsk neaotiations. The Berlin m
sss says that the Russians have Tt
en- encouraged by the strike move i'm
mt TO resist Gsrmany's demands. III
In Petroarad the Bolshevik au- W,
arities have broken up a counter wi
plot in favor Of Gem CT
Al KaIedines, the cossaek leader. as
le of the leaders Of the plot was m;
led but the other escaped. SixtyI
iesrs and soldiers implicated in CO
J movement were imprisoned. aft
There has been little activity on an
, fighting fronts. The Americans FMS
France are having their share Of
.illery bonbardments and rifle fire in
changes. on the Italian northern As
mt the italians have repuIsed an tht
strian effort 10 retrieve lost posi- cia