Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-19
.t|EBKNECHT ONE MAN.
NOT AFRAID OF KAISER
Boldly Charged Early in War Will
liam Was in Conspiracy
With Krupps.
IMPRISONED FOR UTTERANCEs
t<sned on Success Of Revolution, and
Speedily Began Attack on Ebert
Regimc-Fathcr Was Founder of
United German Socialists.
IBy Assocla,cd Prcss.l

BERLIN, January Karl Paul
August Friedrich Liebknecht, who was
to escape from his captors, was born
~ Leipsic on August IL. 1871. After
icing graduated from the University
cialist.
He was a radical opponent of the
militarist policies OF Germany from
this attitude brought about his trial
on charge of high treason in 1907.
following the appearance OF an anti
military pamphlet written by him. The
charge OF high treason was not proved
but he was convicted on less serious
count and sent TO prison for eighteen
months.
DR.. Liebknecht visited America in
1910, and lccturcd in New York during
his stay in that city.
In 1912 he was elected TO the German
RelchStaE from potSdam. and the next
year caused a furore in Germany by
bringing charges against the krupps.
saying that organization WAS insps-
ing war spirit against the French.
lie continued his attacks and in the
course Of debates mentioned Emperor
William and the crown prince as be-
acy .centerinS around krupps AS
result OF his revelations, several army
officers were tried for accepting brides
but received light sentences.
REFUSED TO Ut MILITARY
DUTY EARLY IN WAR
When the great war broke out. DR..
Liebknecht refused 10 do military
duty, and Il was rumored he had been
executed. He was later found in tho
ranks of an engineer battalion on the
Russian front, where in December,
1915. he was seriously injured by a
Although in the German army, he
did not cease his attacks against the
military system, and several times he
was reported involved in bitter con-
trovcrsies with the junker leaders of
Germany.
This struggle went on until May l.
ing an inccndiary address at "a May
day demonstration i'll Berlin. After
trial he was sentenced 10 pr.son for
thirty months. From this sentence he
appealed and on rc-trial was sem
fenced 10 jail for four years and one
month.
~ GRAVE DISORDERS
This sentence resulted in grave dis
orders III Berlin and Spandau, demands
beinG made for l.ebknech;s release.
articles which were given clandestine
circulation among the Socialists of
Germa1 ~. one Of his pamphlets ac-
ing guilty OF bringing on the war.
During. his Imprisonment he was elect
ed TO IN, FcichstaE from Spandau.
Nftcr beng in prison two years and
toher "a. 1915. In the political cata
ti!s.n that developed in Germany early
IN november resulting in the abdica-
ton OF Emperor William his nigh.
and the establishment, of "A Socialist
government, Or. Licbknecht played a
prominent part.
When the Ebert government hal
peen In existence only few DAYS DR.
l.ieoknecht became leader of a radical
sociai'st faction known as the Spar
lacus clement. Rumors came to the
world that terrorist revolution was
I,iiininent ant this developed late In
l!cccnber. The rising tide OF radical
Ism reached its crest during the frst
week or January, when the Spartacuns
came INTO armed conflict with troons
lo!ai 10 me Ebert government After
week or fighting, the Spartacans were
ueIeated During the conflict il was
had been killed.
Or iiebkncchts arrest followed. II
was announced on Wednesday he vas
0uartered in tho Hotel Eden 4 f,shinn
IInie motel IN the western part Of Bcr-
FATHER FOUNDER OF
tNiTED GERMAN SOCIALISTS
h.r,a i-ly okhHcht was the son of VIII
nriin i.ienknccht. a close friend OF Karl
The elder Licbknecht suSarn iea i
months Imprisonment for star,inc
'eSpiutlon III Baden in 1S4S
ne was elected member of ~.
." German Reichs,aE in 1867 ami
Ijs AZ Tn., ,here a5moSt continuously until |
or N.Y.. opposition TO the Franco. |
arnsslai- War the elder Iiehknechi vas
condemned 10 two years' in,nr;ca -, $500, " a. !
Tor reasonable Intentions Un NJ
,I ~" !ooHcu unon as tho founder Of |
''e I"''eu t'erfnan Socialists