The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1919-01-24
Spartacans Start Civil War in
Berlin and Many Fall in
Street Fighting.
EBERT Government UPSET?
Disorders In Other Parts Of Germany
--Trotzky Makes Himself Dicta-
tor of Bolshevik Russia-Proq-
ress Of Peace Conference
in Paris-America
Mourns Roosevelt's
Death.
BY EDWARD w. PickARD.

Believing themselves now strong
enough to overthrow the Ebert govern
ment and gain control of Germany, the
Spartacans. led by Liebknecht, last
week deliberately provoked civil war
In Berlin. First they seized the ar
senal and muntion plants at Spandau
and armed themselves. and then pro-
ceeded TO attack the government build.
lngs. Sanguinary fighting ensued, for
the Ebert crowd was determined and
was supported by many of the return
ed soldiers. Some of these were
posted on the Brandenburg gate and
at other strategic points with machine
guns, grenades and flame projectors.
After several hundred persons had
been killed and many wounded, It was
announced that the government forces
had maintained the supremacy and
had large bodies Of troops concentrat-
ed just outside the city, ready to enter
it. The chancellor, addressing great
crowds outside his palace. bitterly de-
nounced the Spartacans for their
"rascally behavior and insane policy"
and promised that they would be sup
pressed.
At this point the independent social
lists jumped into action. taking advan-
tage OF the crisis, and tried to force
out the Observation-Disclosures crowd. A
new revolutionary government was
proclaimed. composed of independent
socialists, with Ledcbour. Liegmann
tal. IL. H..
did not satisfy Liebknecht, and he was
said to be continuing his efforts to In
stall government of his own choos-
ing. His followers were IN possession
Of the royal stables and of police head
quarters. Chief of Police Eichhorn,
who Is one OF them, had ignored his
dismissal by the peoples commissions
ers. Eadek. the belshevik emissary
from Russia. was advising the Sparta
cans.
Dispatches coming ms this Is written
say the Spartacans were being
strengthened by the accession Of some
Of the troops and were holding the
principal points In Berlin that Gustav
Noske, commander in chief OF the
Ebert government troops. was prcpnr-
ing 10 call new forces IN 90 attempt TO
regain control Of Berlin. aud that a
violent reaction by the more conserya.
tive elements was expected.
There were reports that the civil
war was spreading to other parts Of
Germany aud that violent uprisirrs
were disturbing Bavaria and the Rhen.
lsh provinces. Ia Munich and Bruins
wick there were strikes and riots In
cited by the adherents ~ Llehkneciit.
stores being pillaged and several per
sons Killed. The main strength Of the
Spartacans, however. Is 10 Berlin.
II any government can hold out until
the national assembly has met md de-
fernined what the future OF Germany
shall be. IL may be recognized by the /
allies as competent To enter into the
peace negotiations and sign the treaty. !
That. Of course, is its immediate aim.
and that is what the Spartacans are |
ighfins against 81 strenuously.
The military commission a. the al |
les sent TO Berlin In connection with |
he carrying out OF the terms OF the |
armistice got mixed up in the rlcfion |
mo. seeking protection. persuaded |
General Harries Of the American army |
% raise the American flag over the /
Hotel Adlon. where the members were |
sheltered. street mob threatened 10 1
storm the building if the flag were no,
Iowered. and at the demand Of the
ebert government this was done. In
giant PATRIOTS are assured hv os