The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-06
DEFINES STATUS
OF GERMANY
Principles Of Governme : X
planned by Ferdinand : IN
One of Leaders z :
OPPOSITION TO Wgs NEN
German People Nee .:.yht on
Many Things Old ,ime
Would Keep X.


With the American Army of Occu-
patton in Germany, Dec. 6.-Q. n. So
-(By courier to Nancy.) )-Increasing
opposition against the German work.
mems councils Is being encountered
by the Americans in occupied terri
tory. At Treves, citizesS In various
walks of life, charge that the coun-
ellis are composed Of professional
agitators who are trying to foist their
net hobbies and ideals upon the pub
lie at the expense of the popular
elements that they do not represent.
The farmers are opposed to 1t also.
An illuminating exhibit OF the
status of the present German gov
ernment is FURNISHED by Ferdinand
I,eyen, spokesman for the Treves
branch of the workers council.
"Under q decree from the central
branch at Berlin, the word soldier
has been dropped Ss part OF the
councils title" said Leven. The
socialistic movement was started by
the marines in the German navy at
Kiel. Realizing that an attack had
been ordered against the allies ana
that it was futile, the marines mutt
MED. We wish to announce TO the
world that the workmen's council Is
opposed to bolshevism. 1t Is purely
n socialistic movement. The MEM
bers are republicans and seek oniy
a democratic form OF government.
But we are undecided as to the form
of the republic. We would like 10
know more about the form OF the
government in the United States.
Political Principles.
eve recognize only the political
nr,nciples laid down by Chancellor
Ebert. Hugo Haase, Matthias Err
berger and Philip Scheidemann.
"The leaders in Berlin propose that
the workmen's council preserve order
and guard the welfare and interest
of the people until a stable govern
ment can be set up. -, =.
"A convention Is to be held az
| frankfort on Feb. /. We seek 70
nreserye the empire, including Prus-
| sia.sbut under a form Of democratle
| Tovernment. Certain quarters aEs
opposed TO the old school. Local ON
| Gals resent the change and prefer al
| emperor. But our members nave
had enough OF kaisers and royaity
we are glad to get rid Of them. We
! seek. only independence. we -woulo
/ like colonies for commercial purposes
hut are not concerned with those de
tails at present. The workmen's
council will leave the question -o'
taxation to the local governments
Cawlessness Checked
Revolutionary lawlessness ha'
been checked at many places put re.
volt is still smouldering. stores are
being sacked and homes pillaged.
| "The German people need enhghteIi
ment on many things the 0,u nos th
would like to keep dark. During tn
war they were fed on favorable new
only. We want Ludendorff. Tlrpit11
Hindenburg and the rest of the MN
| tarists punished well. but the eX-kaise
ia popular. The opinion prevails ina
the government erred when 1t permt'e
the United States to enter namses sne for vac Ger
many's defeat were hunger. the iaiiui
Of German diplomacy. the entry OF IN
United States and lack of conhdenc
in the royal government.
"The total lack of facts that tne puI
lie required was more vital tnah pu
let's, The people lost faith In the goS
nrnment when 1t learned that tn
T-boat campaign had been failur
and that the figures OF ships sunk
the submarines were bolstereu.
German public felt that the Unite
States would not have entered the wa
| hut for the submarine Cdiipo'hi
Wv United States Did Work. :,
Germany would have unquestionapl
kept on fighting the French and Brltis
II the United States had not entered.
.'Personally l realized that German
|, would be unable to cope with so gre'
a mower coming in fresh. When Gel
man newspapers began TO reveai !, u
truth the people were astounded at u
/. state of affairs. When America had
large army in Europe the people we
fold that there were only $4,000 Amer
can soldiers in France. When the
r were more than 100000 American so
diers in Europe in July the Germt
government claimed that there we
, only 10000 here. H.,
, "Thus the people Were dup'
throughout the war. 1t is officially a.
mittcd that Germany lost milllons
!, "The reichstag no longer has powe
= and at the Frankfort convention Ge
| man women will be. permitted 10 vote
: The makeup of the workers counc
= shown by the personnel OF the comm
tee representing the northern part
r the Treves district follows: :.
= Adolph Lagenbech. blacksmit
= president: Mathew Theissen. q blac
= smith; Fritz Harris, sailor; Matht
q ! Nom, stonemason, and DR.. Erne
6 Schroeder. 40.
> The Treves burgomaster and 9th
!. officials resent the usurpation OF pow
Officials of the council declared Tn
they were glad the Americans came
the city, and charged certain municir
officers with trying to. prejudice Ame'