Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-01-16
Spartacans Start Civil War in
Berlin and Many Fall in
Street Fighting.
EBERT GOVERNMENT UPSET :.
Disorders in Other Parts Of Germany
q Trotxty Makes Himself Dicta-
tor Of eoishevik Russia-Prog-
sress Of Peace Conference
IN Paris-America
Mourns Roosevelt's
Death.
!, BY EDWARD W. PlcKATRp

stff1Fl ~ G1yvfAnO We VJSFNfNnGs
Believing themselves now strong
enough to overthrow the Ebert govern
ment and gain control of Germany, the
Spnrtacans, led by I.iebknecht, last
week deliberately provoked civil war
in Berlin. First they seized the ar
senal and munition plants at Spandau
and armed themselves, and then pro-
ceeded to attack the government build
ings. Sanguinary fighting ensued, for
the Ebert crowd was determined and
was supported by many of the return
ed soldiers. Some of these were
posted on the Brandenbnrg 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 concentrat-
ed just outside the city, ready to enter
it. The chancellor, addressing great
crowds outside his palace, bitterly de-
nounced the Spartacans for their
"rascGlly 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 Observation-Disclosures crowd A
new revolutionary government was
proclaimed composed of independent
socialists, with Ledebour, Liegmann
and Tick in control. This naturally
did not satisfy Liebknecht, and he was
said to he continuing his efforts to in
stall government of his own choos-
ing. His followers We're 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 cOmmisson-
ers. Radek. the bo,shevik 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 We're holding the
principal points in Berlin; that Gustav
Noslse, commander in chief of the
Ebert government troops. was prepar-
ir.g to call new forces in to attempt to
regain control of Berlin, and that a
violent reaction by the more conserva-
tive elements was expected.
There We're reports that The civil
war was spreading to other parts of
Germany and that violent Iprisings
were disturbing Bavaria and the Rhen-
ish provinces. In Munich and Bruins
wick there We're strikes and riots in
cited by the adherents of Liebknecllt,
stores being pillaged and several per-
sons killed. The main strength of the
Spartacans. however. is IN Berlin
If an. government can aold out until
the national assembly has met and de-
termined what the future of Germany
shall be, it may be recognized by tile
allies as competent to enter into the
peace negotiations and sign the treaty.
That. of course, is its immediate aim,
and that is what the Spartacans are
fighting against so streluously.
hn
The military commission of the al
lies sent to Berlin in connection with
the carrying out of the terms of the
armistice got mixed up in the ruetion
and, seeking protection, persuaded
General Harries of the American army
to raise the American flag over the
Hotel Adlon. where the members were
sheltered. A street mob threatened to
storm the building If the flag were not
lowered, and at the demand Of the
Ebert government this was done. In
dignant patriots are assured by Off.