The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-17


and, his monogram, *. L." was
DR.. Liebknecht's capture was due
to telephone conversation overheard
by detectives. in which he and Rosa
Luxemburg agreed to meet at the
home of a man named Marcusson in
the suburb of Wilmersdorf. Marcus
sons home, the police say. has long
been one of the gathering places OF
the Spartacans.
DIR. Liebknecht's attempt at escape
was the last desperate dash for free
dom on the part of a man who had
left prison only last October. When
the automobile which was carrying
him broke down he was warned
against any attempt at flight. The
officer in charge asked DR.. Lieb-
knecht, who was bleeding from a
wound In the head he had received
through being struck by a cane in
the hands of some member of the
mob, whether he felt able to walk a
few hundred yards TO the next street.
where a new automobile could be
found.
Desperate Dash Cost Life.
DR.. Liebknecht said he could and
the party started to walk. When
near n group of trees DIR. Liebkneoht
pushed aside the soldier nearest him
and dashed for the undergrush in the
tiergarten. The soldiers ordered him
to halt. He paid no attention to
their demands and several shots were
fired at him.
One bullet struck him in the base
of the neck, squarely between the
shoulders, and his death was almost
instantaneous.
kautsky Arrested.
Basel, Jan. 17.-l<arl Kautsky, for
mer under secretary in the foreign
affairs ministry OF the Ebert govern
nent and more recently said to be
a supporter of DR.. Karl Liebknecht,
was arrested at Berlin this morning.
He was later liberated.
Karl Paul August Friedrich Lieb-
knecht was born at Leipsic on Aug.
13. 1871. After having graduated
from the University of Leipsic he en-
tered politics as a socialist. He was
a 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 I'm 1908 after the ap-
pearance OF antimilitary pamphlets
written by him. The charge of high
treason was not proved, but he was
convicted on n less serious count and
sent to prison for eighteen months.
DR.. Liebknecht visited America in
1910 and lectured in New York. In
1912 he was elected to the German
reichstag from Potsdam and the next
year caused a furore in Germany by
bringing charges against the Krupps,
saying that organization was inspir-
ing war spirit against the French.
He continued his attacks. and in the
course of debates mentioned Emperor
William and the crown prince as be
ing involved in the alleged conspiracy
centering around Krupps. As a re-
suit of his revelations several army
officers We're tried for accepting
bribes from Krupps. They were con-
victed, hut received light sentences.
Refused to Be Soldier.
When the great war broke out DR..
Liebknecht refused to do military
duty, and IT was rumorod he had been
executed. He was later found in the
ranks of an engineer battalion on
the Russian front, where in Decem-
ber. 1915, he was seriously injured by
falling tree.
Although in the German army he
did not cease his attacks against tho
was reported 10 be involved i'm bit
ter controversies with the junker
leaders OF Germany This struggle
went on until May l. 1916, when he
was arrested for making an incen-
diary address nt a Nav day demon
stration in Berlin. After trial he was
sentenced 10 prison for thirty months
From this sentence he appealed and
on retrial was sentenced to Jail for
four wears and one month.
This sentence resulted in grave dis
orders in Rqrlin aO1 SDar1alr do
manfs being made for Liebknecht's
relcaSc. While in prison he continued
10 write articles. which were given
clandostine circulation among the So
cialists Of Germany. One Of his
pamphlets accused the German gov
ernment of being guilty. Of bringing
on the war. During his imnrison-
ment he was elected to the reichstaC
from Suandau
Headed Radical Faction.
After being in prison two years
and two months he was released on
oct. o4. 1918 In the political cata-
clysm that developed in Germany
early I'm November resulting in the
ahdication Of Emneror William. his
fight and the establishment Of a So
cialist government. DR.. Liebknecht
PLAYED a prominent part.
When the Ebert government had
heen in existence only = few days DR..
IIebkuecht became leader of a radi-
cal socialist faction known as the
Spartac1Is element. Rumors came TO
the world that n terrorist revolution
was imminent and this developed late
In DacnnnLar The rising tide Of n al :