The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-04-02
By Frank J. Taylor.
Omitted Press correspondent.)

Berlin. March 10. (By Mail.)-
Eolshevism's recent struggle in Ber-
In was in many ways like an Ameri-
can Indian war carried on in a mod
ern city, if you can imagine that.
The Spartacus group went on the war
path after the fashion of prairie
tribes in America three generations
ago. In their fighting the Sparta
cans showed about the same degree
Of civilization as did the Indians.
To understand how such warfare
could take place in a modern city,
one has to realize that Berlin was
imrboring many convicts released
from, prison by the turn of the earlier
revolution. Most Of these despera-
does are not political victims, but
were jailed for killing and robbing.
Since they had everything to gain
and nothing to lose by the bolshevik
movement, they leagued themselves
with the Spartacus group; and for
good pay were ready to commit any
outrage prescribed. The bolsheviks
were simply wild men run riot.
| After the governments volunteer
lrmy had defeated the organized
Spartacus resistance, trouble did not,
stop. Spartacans lurked in hundreds
Of buildings, more or less fugitives
from justice. From. roofs, behind
chimneys, from attics and windows,
they sniped at government guards
and even civilians, with no chance of
accomplishing anything other than
killing.
Revolutionary outbreaks in Ber-
hn NJ q
ing. 1t is impossible to forsee them.
They just happen, when the situation
&C ems entirely unencouraging to
tn EN-.
Different From Others.
Berlin's revolution is different
from others in that there is no united
demand for any one thing. There
are as many demands as there are
Germans in Berlin, and some people
have more than o}e. Until agitators
begin their work there is practically
no action. Thus Berlin is filled with
crossing currents of opinion, with
each faction not knowing just what
it. wants Factions seize upon any
pretext for a demonstration. There
is no clean-cut issue which unites
Berlin into parties. A strong royal
list attempt to regain the government
would probably unite Berlin and
save the revolution. The majority
stands on the sidelines, watching agi-
tators toss the revolution up and
down. to no ones gain and German
danger. ! DS :
Germany's lack of leaders has been
one Of the most outstanding features
Of the revolution. In the hour when
Germany needs big men, none has
been found. The situation seems to
be brought about by the old system,
when leaders, as soon as they were
recognized as such, were hustled into
the Junker party. They became
Junker leaders and most of the men
apable of governing were in the
party.
Have Poor Leaders.
The result is that Germany finds
herself with second rate men trying
to construct the new republic. They
have contin ually showed lack of
force and qualities of leadership, un
til the people no longer have con-
fdence Still no one moves and the
great middle class Is idle, while poll
ticians struggle with the radical
group which wants to overturn the
entire order of society.
Occupation of Berlin by allied
troops has changed steadily from a
dread to a hope, perhaps, that Eng
lish and American troops would take
the place OF allied troops. For some
reason. opinion has turned against
the French and the majority of Ger
mans would rather see Berlin sink
worse into chaos than have the
French help. if you can believe what
Berliners tell you.
The populace and the middle class,
as well as a number OF i2tellectuals
and the commercial people want
American and English troops here.