Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-07
SEPARATE Estate
ON RHINE URGED
Cologne Mass-Meeting De-
mands Region Cut Loose
From Berlin
TROOPS SUPPORT EBERT
Lifeguards, on Reaching Ber-
lin. Rally to Support of
New Regime
TROOPS SUPPORT EBERT
By JOSEPH HERRINCS
pecidl Gable to Euening Public Ledger


Copyright. 1918. by Ne,o York Times Go.
Berlin, Dec. Z.
Politicians in Cologne have at last
taken the first step toward separation
from Prussia by holding a mass-meet-
ing there which, with great enthus
iasm, unanimously adopted the follow
ing resolution:
In view of the radical political
changes. recognizing the impossibility
of creating a proper government IN
Berlin, and convinced that the cour'
tries adjacent to the Rhine and West.
phalia have in themselves sufficient
political, cultural and economic power
to form a new state, this meeting eX.
presses its firm will to uphold the
unity of the German fatherland, but
at the same time to undertake the
construction OF a new German State
to be composed of the Rhineland and
Westphalia and other adjacent coun.
tries as soon as possible to arrange
a proclamation Of an Independent
Rhenish- Westphalian republic as a
part of Germany"
5000 Women Present
There were about 5000 women pres.
cnt at this meeting. most of them
belonging to the old Centrist party,
which also furnished the principal ora.
tors. who were two members of the
Reichstag, Trimborn and Marx. and
Huber, the editor OF the Cologne Volks
Zciturg, Cardinal Hartmann's organ.
The interests Of the mines and the
iron industry, too. seem to be in favor
of separation from Prussia. Hugo
Stinness and August Thyssen, two of
the largest captains Of industry in the
district. were present at the armistice
negotiations at Spa, and Professor
Weber, Of Munich. publicly accused
them Of having sought to arrange for
a French protectorate over the Rhine
land and Westphalia. This they have
since vigorously denied.
Teegrams from Cologne state that
the city has been looted by desperadoes
since the German troops left. As the
lootng threatens to become general, the
committee on public welfare has ordered
the civil guards to shoot looters on
sight.
Soldiers Support Ebert
DetaChmerts of life guards who ar.
rived in Berlin yesterday and pro-
ceeded Immediately to organize passed
a resolution to the effect that they
and the regiments still on the way to
the capital would support without re.
serve the Ebert-Haase government
They placed themselves at the gov.
ernment's disposal to defend the re-.
suits of the revolution against endan-
gering influences, from whatever side
they may come" and pledge that I'VE
shall use all means in our power to
that end"
The resolutions are signed by eight.
cen different Berlin formations.
The government of the republic Of
Brunswick can boast OF being one Of
the most novel in the world. Its Pres.
dent is a mender Of old clothes and its
two weeks before the revolution used
to perform at the Cafe Maxim A
woman who can hardly read or write
is Minister Of Education. Three years
ago she was dismissed for embeZZle.
ment from a woman's club, where she
was employed in some minor office.
Duke Ernst Gunther, Of Schleswig-
Holstein. brother of the Kaiserin, and
Prince Karl of Wrede have suddenly dis
covered that feudalism is bad and that
they are really honest democrats. At a
mass-meeting in PriOkenau, where the
Duke resides, he said that, despite his
political activity of the past. he was now
ready with his person and his wealth
to serve the social reforms of the pres
ent government.