Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-27
More Trouble in Berlin.

Conditions in Berlin appear again
70 be approaching the chaotic. The
Ebert government is still in power, but
is under a heavy pressure from the
radicals under the leadership of Lieb-
knecht, who at latest accounts was re-
ported to be ON the point of proclaim
ing the overthrow of the administra-
ton. The renewed trouble has arisen
from the revolt of sailors in Berlin
who objected to decision to disband
and pay them off after several weeks
of guard duty. Fighting between them
and government forces spread into the
streets and nearly 100 persons were
killed on Tuesday morning. Two regi-
ments, it is reported, have joined the
revolving sailors, and compromise has
been effected by which the sailors
promise to take part in no further re-
volt but remain as members of the re-
publican guard and division of troops
stationed at Berlin is sent away. The
guard thus becomes more definitely
subject to radical influence, despite the
promise of the sailors.
Inharmony between members of the
socialist combination now comprising
the Berlin government has prevailed
since the beginning of the revolution.
Ebert does not command the conf
dence of the radicals, being under sus-
picion, owing to his nomination by
Prince Macmillan as chancellor under
the proposed regency, of inclinlng
toward the old regime. No compromise
is to be expected between Ebert and
Liebknecht, the latter now seeking to
rally the extremists for the complete
overthrow of the Ebert government.
Personal ambitions doubtless play an
important part in this situation. Yet
underneath the clash of individual
wills is evidently a more serious strain,
between two distinct revolutionary ele-
ments. Ebert, to give him credit for
his protestations of loyalty to the revo-
iution, seeks to build on the founda
tion of the old organization. Lieb
knecht wants to make a clean sweep of
everything and construct the German
government anew.
Elections are scheduled to be held on
the 10Th of January. If meanwhile
the form of governmental organization
can be maintained the crisis may be
passed. But there is always danger
that the defeated party in the cleo
tions may challenge the decision and
undertake to seize power by drastic
means. In this situation the attitude
of the armed forces will govern. If the
garrison at Berlin supports the Ebert
government it will probably be sus-
tanned. If it turns to the Liebknecht
party there is little chance that Ebert
will maintain himself.
The allies are naturally keenly con-
cerned in the situation. They will
have to go into Germany III force If
the revolution runs to the point of
anarchy. The case there is different
from in Russia. Germany is close at
hand and upon the establishment of a
stable government depends the formu
lation of the peace terms. If when the
peace conference meets at Paris there
is no substantial organization prob
lem will develop greater than all the
others that have presented themselves.
and. therefore, it is not likely that
definite peace moves will be made be-
fore the LIST of February, by which
time the German elections will have
been held, and it will be possible to
determine the chances of stability at
Berlin.