New-York tribune., 1918-12-20

Inc Congress finally agreed to an
point committee to meet n de,evat;or
after the plenary session, when sud
oeh'y thirty sworkmen and several
women forced their way to the speak
er's stand and the session again was
thrown into tumult.
The spokesman of the invaders de-
manded the right to present resolu-
tons providing that all authority be
vested in the Soldiers ard Workmen's |
councils. The chairman warned that
speakers were not permitted and
shouts came from the floor that the
invaders be removed.
General disorder followed, but
the chairman finally restored order by
compromising with the invaders and
permitting them to present their reso-
luton. The invaders then left the
hall. They are believed to have been
members of the Spartacus group who
are on strike.
The successive periods Of disorder
called forth some criticism by the
delegates from outside Berlin. The
atmosphere of the congress is electric
and it is difficult to predict what the
next twelve hours may produce.
Herr Landsberg, one of the Majority
Socialist members of the government
denounced the business methods and
dictatorial attitude of the Soldiers and
Workmen's Council of Berlin. He de-
~ hot
the Council had presented chaotic
budget statement.
The manner in which the Congress
received the statements of Commits
sioner Landsberg indicated that new
Executive Committee, more in harmony
with the government, might be elected.
Premier Ebert, after a spirited de-
fence of the governments policy con-
cerning demobilization and food supply,
which had been attacked by Herr Barth,
one Of the Radical Socialist members
Of the government was cheered loudly
, Just before the session adjourned
thirty soldiers created a sensation by
invading the meeting room and de-
manding that the delegates Immediately
vote to disarm and disqualify all Off
GERS and to place all authority in the
hands of the Soldiers and Workmen's
Councils. 1t was a dramatic climax of
stormy session.
Each soldier carried q placasd bear
ing the familiar demands of the Spara-
tacus group. In some manner they
and ranged themselves behind the
speakers stand. Their appearance
caused great uproar. After repeated
efforts, the chairman and the members
of the government regained control Of
the meeting.
The spokesman for the soldiers then
calmly announced their demands, after
which the invaders quietly left the hall
The Congress finally adjourned in con-
fusion.
The episode was regarded as another
attempt by the Liebknecht faction to
stampede the Congress.
"Vorwarts" Warns Congress
4 Evidently rejecting the views of the
Ebert-Scheidemann group, "Vorwarts"
takes the most serious view of the in
cident of yesterday when the Congress
Of Soldiers and Workmen was invaded
. by a party of soldiers. 1t accuses the
extreme left of aiming to disrupt the
congress.
at must be declared openly" says
the newspaper, "that there is danger
/ of the whole government apparatus
crumbling and the armistice and peace
, negotiations being broken off on the
government exists, and that all Ger
= many will be occupied by Entente
! troops"
The "Freiheit," on the contrary, de-
clares the invasion Of the congress
J.. could be explained by the indignation
: of the soldiers at the counter revolu.
tionary activitits by t., officers of Ger.
tain troops.
The demonstration by the soldiers
was so in accord with the utterances
Of Ledebour, Barth and other Radicals
at Tuesdays session as to suggest
more than coincidence.
The Congress also appointed Cen
trail Council of Soldiers and Workmer
to exercise parliamentary supervision
over the German and Prussian cabi
nets and with the right to appoint ant
= depose the peoples commissioners o
J. all Germany, until the final regulation
of state affairs Of Prussia.
n In order to supervise the conduct o
$ business in the Imperial Ministry, ad
O iuncts will be appointed by the Peo
g plies commissioners. There will be tw
d adjuncts in each ministry. They will
l. be selected from the two Social Demo
cratic parties.
: The Congress rejected resolutio
e demanding the complete elimination G
d the burgeoisie class from the govern
g ment