New-York tribune., 1919-09-01
Ebert Threatens
TO Use Bayonets
TO Save Germany
President and Ministers Join
i'll Firm Policy to Curb
''Sensaless'' Strikes That
Prevent Nation 'sRecoverv
Ne,c York Tribune

Special Cable Serr,ce
Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Jnc)
BERLIN, Aug. 3l.-Narious circum.
stances indicate that the government.
has decided to adopt a frmer policy
to prevent strikes and suppress out
breaks OF violence. At a conference
OF Socialist committeeman and labor
council men this week demands were
put forth which were at least partly
responsible for the governments stal.
vart policy, foreshod odowed bv Presi-
dent Ebert and Herr David. Thew de-
cared to-day the government must
pursue resolutely a path leading to
restoration of the palsied strength of
the German people, even though it be
cordoned by sharply ground bayonets
And whoever runs against these
bayonets must take the consequences,
Minister Barth said. "Everybodv
whether high or low, must place HIM
self in the service of the people. if
not voluntarily, then under compul-
sion"
Dictatorship Against Radicals
Barth further demanded a dictator.
ship Of the central parties against the
extremists Of the Left and Right. All
this sounds like a prearranged prelude
to Ebert's utterance that the govern
ment cannot permit persons smitten
with blindness to undermine system
atically the economic foundations Of
German life through senseless strikes.
HIS lnsistence lpon courage and en-
ergy in suppressing the strike propa.
ganda Of the independents and the
communists is another sign of the new
stalwart policy. 1t can be assumed
that the government has been in
huenced by growing signs Of strong
lhreats from the west against the Ger
man economic ship of state.
BERLIN, Aug. 81 (By The Associated
Press THE restaurant and cafe pro
prietors of Berlin appealed yesterday
to the police for permission to keep
open after the present closing hour
1l:5o p. m. They met with a refusal
and dance halls were ablaze at night
other hand, they we're likely still fur
ther to be restricted because of short
age Of coal
The proprietors thereupon filed a
protest, declaring scores of cabarets
and dance hall were ablaze all night,
in defiance of police oSders, and auto
mobile parties were being openly invited
to enter by electric signs which burned
until morning
One explanation advanced for this
state of affairs is that attempts to
force the cabarets to obey the lighting
law and conform with the closing re-
strictions have met with obstructive
tactics from the powerful walters or
ganizatlon, which threatened to bring
about q strike if the walters were de-
MED the privilege of serving drinking
parties all night. It is estimated that
there are a hundred night resorts in
the West End alone that keep open
until morning.
With regard to coal conservation, the
"Lokal- -Anzeiger' prints q letter sug-
gestlng that coal can be saved by elm
mating the two-hOur period in the mid :
die of the day during which the stores
are closed, and have them shut up shop
at . instead of p. m. The sugges-
ton seems of doubtful acceptance,
however, since the German from time
immemorial has been accustomed to a
lengthy lunch period. taking at least
two hours at noon for rest.
Coal experts conferred to-day with
industrial representatives., and 1t was
decided that night shifts must be in
troduced in coal mines if sufficient coal
is to be produced. 1t was also deter
mined that it was necessary to increase
the electric lighting power of Berlin
for winter.
The Bitterfeld power plants supply
ing the city are plentifuly supplied
with brown coal and the construction
of additional cables 10 Berlin has been
begun. New dynamos are being made
SO that the new service can be installed