The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-17
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bourg, the Spartacan leaders, as hav-
ing something of divine justice in it,
as the Tages Zeitung phrases. OF Doc
tor Liebknecht, the Local Anzeiger
SAYS:
He brought his fate upon himself
Continuing its comment, the news
paper says:
''The murder of lsose Luxembourg
shows how tremendous must have
been the indignation which has seized
the people of Berlin as the result of
the criminal activities of the Sparta
cans Such summary judgments have
ordinarily been foreign to the German
manner of thinking"
The press in general deplores the
lynching of Isosa Luxembourg. but de-
clares she fell victim to the basest
passions (which she herself had
Awakened Die Freiheit alone tries to
lay the responsibility Upon the govern
ment. e. -|
Karl Paul August Friedrich Liebknecht
was born at Leipsic on August ID, 1871.
of Leipsic he entered politics as Socialist
He was radical opponent of the militarist
policies of Germany from the first Of his
political career and this attitude brought
about his trial on a charge of high treason
in 100! following the appearance of an
anti pamphlet written by him
but he was convicted on a less serious
count and sent to prison for eighteen
months.
He Once Was Here.
Doctor Liebknecht visited America in
1910 and lectured in New York during his
stay in that city.
reichstag from Potsdam and the next year
caused a furore in Germany by bringing
charges against the Krupps, saying that
against the French. He continued his at
lacks and in the course of debate mentioned
Emperor William and the crown prince as
being involved in the alleged conspiracy
centering around the Krupps.
AS a Jesuit Jesuit OF his revelations several
brides from krupps. They were convicted.
but received light sentences
Refused Military Duty.
When the great war broke out Doctor
Liebknecht refused to do military duty,
and it was rumored that he had been exc
cuted. This report was untrue as he was
talon on the Russian front. where. in De-
cember, 1915, he was seriously injured by a
falling tree.
Aitho in the German army, he did not
cease his attacks against the military sys-
TEN and several times he was reported to
Junker leaders of Germany. This struggle
went until May 1. 1916, when he was
arrested for making an incendiary address
at May day demonstration in Berlin
After trial he was sentenced to prison for
thirty months. From this sentence he was
appealed. and on retrfaI was sentenced to
Jail for four years and one month.
This sentence resulted in grave disorders
| in Berlin and Spandau demands being male
for Liebkneeht's release While in prison
he continued to write articles which were
given clandestine circulation among the
let's accnsel the German rove nls pa,pn If
being guilty of bringing on the war
During his imprisonment he was elected
TO the Te1chstag from Spandau.
In Prison Two Years.
After being in prison two years and two
months. he released on October "a
J 1918. In the political cataclysm that de,
n VI ~
sulting In the abdieation of Emperor Will
liam and his flight and the establishment
OF a Socialist government. Doctor Lieb-
knecht played prominent part.
existence only a few days Doctor Lieb-
knecht became leader of a radical Socialist
faction known as the Spartacus element.
Rumors came to the world that terrorist
revolution was imminent and this deyeloped
late in December. The rising tide of rad
| icaiism reached its crest during the first
week of January. when the Spartacans
to the Ebert government. After week of
fighting the Spartacans were defeated
! During the conflict it was reported several
killed.
Doctor Liebknecht's arrest followed. 1t
quartered in the Hotel Eden. a Fashionable
motel IN the western part of Berlin. 1t Is
probable while he was being taken from
this place to prison that he attempted to
escape and was killed. Rosa Luxembourg
was formerly principal editor of the vor-
She often came into conflict with the au-
thorities and twice underwent imprison-
ment for freely expressing her view on
subjects connected with the government
She was consistently opposed 70 the war
and at one time her writings brought about
criminal proceedings against leaders Of the
Socialist party. When the revolution broke
out in Berlin early in November she was
reputed to be the leader of The most violent
groun of Socialists. Later she seconded
DR.. Liebknecht in his efforts to organize
the Spartacus element altho she strenuous
ly opposed DIR. Liebknecht's proposal that
ELECTIONS for the national assembly be held
at once.
r. When the Spartacus Uprising grew TO
open rebellion against the Ebert govern
urging the revoiutionists to attack the