The sun., 1918-02-02
STATE OF SIEGE
ORDERED TO END
BERLIN STRIKE
Military Superior in PrOcla.
nation Says Trouble
Must Cease.
MEETINGS UNDER BAN
Warming Given That No
Distinction Will BE Shown
If Arms Are Used.
MEN COMMANDED TO WORK
Stern Measures Adopted to
Prevent Disturbances
Through Empire.
MEETINGS UNDER BAN
MEN COMMANDED TO WORK
Special Despdfch to TIE SuN

Cobvrohf. 1915: eli r,ohn yeser,ed
LoHDoN. Feb. LII the German Gov
eminent acquiesced or connived In the
Industrial disorders in the hope that
the strike mania would spread to other
esuntries and become uncomfortable
while they could be readily suppressed
In Germany. as IL believed by many
persons here. it is now apparent that
Germany was playing with fire.
A state Of siege has now been pro-
claimed in Berlin, the comma ndant for
bidding all meetings and warning the
public not 70 assemble because II 1t
should be necessary to employ force the
authorities will not he responsible for
the results. the warning follows:
Having now introduced a more
drastic state of siege shall not have
the population in doubt that I intend
TO suppress every attempt to disturb
peace and order with all means at my
disposal I therefore warn every Or
Gerly citizen not to take part in any
way in public meetings. Every one
must quietly carry out his duties aad
keep away from crowds. II arms
have to be used no distinction aQn be
made between disturbers Of order and
those who are not taking part In such
disturbances"
The official and semi-ofYicial press is
now diligently representing that the strike
movement has subsidized. but advices via
Amsterdam and Copenhag gen say the sit.
uation Is unchanged. and even the semi
official reports admit that the number
Of strikers is increasing. although the
increase Is small.
Movement Reported SDreaatns.
The movemen. is reported spreading
10 Silesla. Munich. Mannheim and MI
remburg war industries Hamburg has
been placed under martial law. Berne
reports that the military authorities Of
Germany have begun systematic re-
tal!ations against the strike leaders,
many of whom in Berlin. Spandau. Kiel.
NurAmhurg and other places have been
summoned into the military service.
The Socialist party committee contra
diets the report thSt It will assume the
direction Of the strike. Rumors that the
Berlin bakers have Joined the strike and
that many shops have been stormed
are not denied. although the newspapers
say graphically that anxiety on this ac-
count is unnecessary.
Despite denials that the Socialists are
participating in the strike leadership
several conservative or semi-ofncial
newspapers throughout the country
rrnt substantially similar articles. evil
denuy inspired, charging that the So
ciaiists are responsible for the disorders
and asserting that their activities
amount to treason. These charges. with
the Governments repressive measures
aimed at the Socialists especially sum-
roning the Socialist organizers into the
U'!ltayy service. are increasing the
chasm between the working and other
classes. never so apparent as now.
Promises Fail to Appeal.
The nation is convinced that It is i'm
possible by continuing the war to ac-
Qlre advantages commensurate with
the losses and suffering. The promises
OF the military authorities Of an early
Fic,ory on the west front, the subma.
rine subjugation of Great Britain and
the prevention of American aid no longer
appea! to the public. the vast ma jOrity
being convinced that the continuance OF
the war means only the perpetuation OF
horrors and suffering
Moreover the new Italian offensive has
startled the German public. who had
been led TO believe that Italy had prac.
Ncally ceased to be a serious factor In
the war Dispatches from Germany dc
not report any comment on the state
ment Of Secretary Of War Baker regard
ing the American forces in France. indi
eating that the German censorship ha,
forbidden publication OF the statement
earring bad effect upon the nationa
morale
The military authority OF the Vienna
Neas' Freie Press warns Austria tina
The Italian offensive is certain to b.
most serious. requiring all the nationa
power to prevent great disaster Zu
rich reports that a large number Of ltal
IAN prisoners of war held in Austria arr
being removed to Bavaria because Aus
'ria Is unable to feed them. This II
producing bad effects In Germany ant
Increasing the anti-Austrian feeling.
The food situation in Austria. 1t il re
ported is visibly becoming worse ever!
Gay