The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-30
STRIKE GROWS
IN BERLIN
CONTINUED from page f.,

with the German minority leaders,
Haase, Ledebour and Dittmann. For
the first time it appears that the
German socialist parties are united.
Heretofore Scheidemann's suoserv-
fence to- the German government
policy, has been so marked as to
raise the suspicion that he was mere
ly tool of the government.
1t was Scheidemann who conceived
the idea of a Stockholm conferences
of socialists of the world to discuss
peace-a conference which was eX-
posed at the outset as a scheme to
twist socialist sentiment into support
of Germany by planting" of ma
jority of German socialists in the
convention.
Scheidemann, as late as last sum-
mer. was named by the kaiser to head
a reichstag committee considering
constitutional reforms, indicating the
government relied upon him as safe.
Last week, however, Scheidemann
apparently expressed a violent change
of heart Dispatches quoted him as
making a bitter assault on Chancellor
Hertling for the conduct of the
Brest-Litovsk peace negotiations.
The German majority socialists
have consistently supported the Ger
man government although protesting
radical beliefs. The minority social
lists haye~.-aS consistently. opoosed
every move of the junkers. 1t was
their persistence that precipitated
the cabinet crisis over Chancellor
ethmann-Hollweg.
Half Million Idle.
AMSTERDAM. Jan. 30.-Five hun
bred thousand strikers were out on
Monday in the city of Berlin alone. &C.
cording to copy of the German social
list newspaper Vorwaerts, received
here today.
Five aeroplane factories were shut
down on that day, the newspaper as
serted
railway strike is possible Rail-
way employees, according to Vorwaerts.
met to discuss their future course, but
the police dispersed them.
The article mentioned many arrests
and encounters, presumably between
police and the strikers.
Grave Situation in Austria.
GBy Robert ]. Bender. United Press
STAFF Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Jan. 30.-Unrest in
Germany-and particularly in Austria
Hungary-is attributed by high gov
eminent officials today to open air
diplomacy"
Confidential reports show that a
grave situation is facing the Austrian
government in the demands of its peo-
pie to throw off the militaristic yoke
of the pan-Germans.
This movement has been encouraged
for several weeks by the wide distribu-
ton of this country's war aims
Throughout Austria-Hungary. For the
first time America now has a means
of reaching the ears of the Austrian
populace.
As stated by the United Press re-
Gently, the United States has been
carrying on propaganda in the open
with Austrians and Bulgarians, as Well
as the Russians, to show them that
victory under the pan-Germans, means
ultimate disaster for these countries.
Confidential returns, showing the
effect OF this moral offensive" have
greatly encouraged President wilson.
Too much hope should not be placed
in the German strikes, officials warn,
because the strong arm OF the Teuton
military forces still controls. but In
Austria there is ground for confidence
in the outcome. it is stated.
In addition to the great strikes,
widespread disaffection is reported
among the Czechs and Slovene sol
diers The Czechs and socialists have
openly demanded also that Count
Czernin try to open up direct negotia-
lions with President Wilson On peace.
The feeling is growing throughout
/ the empire that this country's war
aims leave the Austro-Hurgarians lit
tie to fight about. President Wilson'S
ayowed determination to have Amer.
lea give and receive pledges that will
assure national security for all, has
made a deer impression on the Aus
trian working class, official reports
show
1t is agreed among high officials here
that the allies must now, more than
ever before, present solid front
against Germany-and meantime car
nv on the work of educating the Ger
man and Austrian peoples in the real
purposes Of the allies and the sinister
ones of the central empire rulers.