The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-01-16
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-Prog-
-ess 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
senar and munition plants at Spandau
and armed themselves, and then pro-
ceeded to attack the government build
ings. Sanguinary fighting ensue5, 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, 1t was
announced that the government forces
had maintained the supremacy and
had large bodies of troops concentrate
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 Ebert-Scheidemann crowd. A
new revolutionary government was
proclaimed, composed of Independent
icte With I oil I N m
and Tick in control. This naturally
did not satisfy Liebknecht. and he was
said to be continuing his efforts to in
stall a. 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 commission
ers Radek, the bolshevik emissary
from Russia, was advising the Sparta
cans.
Dispatches coming as 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 prepar-
ing to call new forces insto attempt to
regain control Of Berlin. and that a
violent reaction by the more conserva-
tive elements was expected.
There were reports that the civil
war was spreading to other parts of
Germany and that violent uprisings
were disturbing Bavaria and the Rhen-
ish provinces. In Munich and Bruins
wick there were strikes and riots in
cited by the adherents Of Liebknecht.
stores being pllaged and several per-
sons killed. The main strength Of the
Spartacnns. however, is In Berlin.
If any government can hold out until
the national assembly has met and de-
termined what the future OF Germany
hall be, II may be recognized by the
allies az competent to enter into the
peace negotiations and sign the treaty.
That. Of course, is It's immediate aim.
and that is what the Spartacans are
fighting against so strenuously.
The military commission, Of the al
lies sent 10 Berlin In connection with
the carrying out Of the terms Of the
armistice got mixed up in the ruction
and. seeking protection. persuaded
General Harries of the American army
to raise the American flag over the
Hotel AdIon. where the members were
Sheltered A street mob threatened IA
storm the building n the Gag were not
lowered. and ~ the demand OF the
f'ter' government this was Hone. In.
ir:'ris't~ an ussnnrd nv oh