The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-09
| IRON DIVISION
FORMS IN BERLIN
To Resist BoIshevism, Sol.
diers' and Workmen's Coun.
ellis Now sit Separately.
ISSUE CLEARLY Defined
Will Ebert Prove to Be An.
other Kerensky?-Present
Period Depends.

U.ondon Times-Phil. Ledger Cop. Cable.)
Stockholm. Dec. 9-The soldiers
council Of the Eighteenth German
army In the Baltic provinces has re-
solved to establish voluntary "iron
division, whose especial duty will be
to protect the orderly retreat of the
remainder Of the army and forcibly
resist the bolshevik forces. It is
stated that large number OF officers
and men have placed themselves ut
the disposal of the soldiers council
for this work. These proceedings
have led to strong protest from
the pro- -bolshevik press In Germany.
but there Is no reason to suppose 1t
Is likely to be discontinued on that
account.
Declared Amid Applause.
Even the soldiers who are In gar
rlson in Berlin seem to be taking an
almost equally strong line against
bolshevik tendencies. At the meet
ing last Thursday of the Greater
Berlin soldiers council, which appar-
emily. now sits separately from that
OF the workmen, the joint executive
committee was strongly criticised on
the ground of its tendency to con-
slider party interests as opposed to
the needs Of the army and country
as whole.
One speaker declared amid ap-
plause, that the executive committee
had no right to execute any control
over the imperial government minor
ity and objected to Scheidemann be-
ing heard. When this question was
decided eventually In his favor, he
obtained most enthusiastic recep-
tion, the general applause being re-
peated when he declared 1t was the
intention Of the government to sum-
mon the national assembly at the
earliest possible moment and when
he announced that Field Marshal
Hindenburg had telegraphed, placing
his services unreservedly at the dis
posal Of the government. On the
following day the workmen's council
metS.repudlhted the criticisms OF the
luton Of confidence in the executive
committee. The speakers declared
the soldiers council did not repre-
sent the interests of the social rCvo-
luton and, therefore, ought not to be
allowed to exercise an influence in
the course of affairs. Resolutions
also were passed urging the execu-
tive committee to Uke immediate
steps to obtain for itself the control
and conduct Of foreign affairs.
Warned the Council.
The next day. Saturday, the sol-
diers' council met again and reaf-
firmed its point OF view. One speaker
warned the council that the national
assembly to be elected at this juno
ture might turn out to be a COM
reactionary or an obstruc-
tive body. but no one ventured to
this risk ought to outweigh
the others, notably the risk OF separ-
atism involved in the alternative
policy of postponement of elections.
After a long debate In which repre-
of the army on the eastern
front expressed to their comrades
their unqualified support of the gov
ernment meeting, with only two dis
senting votes, resolution was
adopted calling for the election Of
national assembly at the earliest pos
sible date and urging the necessity
for spreading the spirit of social
revolution among the whole people.
The result of these meetings Is that
the issue now Is clearly defined. 1t
is either the bolshevik policy Of die
or the class conscious So
cialist proletariat versus the demo-
cratic policy Of me national assem-
bly,.
Forces on either side are obvious
Iy by no means equal. The first
policy is supported by strong groups
In large cities. whose importance is
mainly dependent on the fact that
they know clearly what they want
and are in a position to exercise close
influence on the governing authori-
lies. The second is supported over
by the majority Of the
soldiers, the mass of the working
class throughout the country, by the
whole of the other classes and also
oy the government itself. Regard |
ng the ultimate issue, there would
appear to be no doubt. AS regards
The immediate future. much depends
On the moral strength and internal !
cohesion of the present government. |
Il Ebert proves to be another Keren-
sky, the outlook may be dark. but IL.
On tie other hand. he stands firm
md can carry his colleagues with |
1im in policy which utilizes to the |
'ull all the forces which are ready |
o place themselves at his disposal. |!
he present period of uncertainty !,
nd ipdecision sho,i1d he very short |