The sun., 1919-05-04
BERLIN'S MAY DAY
A CHASTITY JOKE
With Theatres and Beer Halls
Closed Idle Workers Had
Nowhere to Go.
HOTEL PATRONS UNIFIED
Paralysis Of Traffic Also
Proves Weapon in Averting
Gatherings.
BY a Sfd6 Correspondent OF THE Sun.
CoDvyy0hf 1873. nil riohf. re,cr,,-5

BERLIN. May 1-(delayed). - Ger
many's May Day celebration was the
most complete in the history Of the ma
tion. IL nations complete lack of
knowledge of what to do with itself may
be called celebrating.
Under czaristic orders from the vari-
Gus political leaders every form Of work
or activity was prohibited. and as q re-
suit the entire Industrial machinery Of
the nation was at complete standstill.
The Puritans of olo never enforced n
mere rigid Sabbath. 1t was a day OF
rest with vengeance.
Although not a wheel was turning one
had the impression that the day was one
of deep political agitation and move
ment. Because OF the complete tieup Of
all traffic the people were reduced to
walking. The patrons at all the Berlin
hotels. including the Adlon, where the
Americans are Quartered. had to walk
upstairs and down, no elevators being in
operation. The hotel dining rooms and
all the restaurants were closed. and all
tho visitors got to eat was what was
served to them In their rooms. or what
they had themselves provided against
the contingency.
Even the Movies shut Up.
All the Aim shows and theatres were
closed and the cafes and beer halls were
open only In cases where the proprietors
assisted by the members of his immedi-
ate family. was disposed to work
AS a result of all these restrictions
the main avenues of the city were
thronged with promenaders. The throngs
paraded up and down. grumbllng be-
cause of being all dressed up and no
place to go. This resulted in thousands
attending the open air mass meetings
in various parts OF the city, where they
were addressed by political leaders OF
various shades OF opinion.
In the evening many gambling places
were open and overcrowded. II the
Socialist leaders succeeded In forming a
greater attendance at their meetings
through the closing of all places of
business they also succeeded in dis
gruntling a large part of the population
by turning what should have been a
holiday into "a dull political sabbath
This was a great hardship when it is
understood that the German people are
unaccustomed to the shutting down OF
all business on Sunday. as In America
The day was inexpressibly dull to them
for that reason.
soldier. IN the background.
The closing down of all traffic lines
was undoubtedly tactical measure to
prevent concentrations of people in the
centre of the city for purposes of dem
onstrating' against the Government,
which feared disorders. Gustave Noske
Minister OF Defence. who is to leave
soon for Munich. personally assumed
charge OF police and military arrange
ments. He did not permit an ostenta-
tious display of troops. as on previous
occasions, but kept the soldiers well in
the background. where they would be
unlikely to cause hostile demonstrations
They were ready, however. for instant
action.
Capt Pabst Noske's chief OF stan.
told THE Sun correspondent that no
trouble was expected before Friday or
Saturday, numerous strikes being an
nounced for those days. The impending
strike Of telegraphers and railway men
is causing great anxiety, The railway
men demand increases in pay aggregat-
ing two billion marks (s500,0O0. 00O)
annually.