Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-17
EDLEADERS
OF GERMANY
>IM0BvICT|MS
Trapped in Hotel, Berlin
Revolt Chiefs Beaten
and Shot to Death.

Berlin, Jan. 17.-(By the As
sOciated Press Karl Lieb-
knecht and Rosa Luxemburg
have been killed.
When it became known that
DIR. Liebknecht and Rosa Lux
emburg were at the Hotel
Eden, in the western part Of
the city, a crowd rapidly con.
gregated and StOrmed the hotel
lobby to Lay hands ON them.
Both were spirited to a side en-
trance Of the hotel, but the mob
fOrestalled the attempt of the
~rOOpS to save Fraulein LuXem-
burg. She was beaten into in
selsibility and then thrown into
an automobile by the crowd,
which intended TO t .ke her to
prison.
A few blocks down the street the
machine was halted by second
crowd, and, when the presence of
Fraulein Luxembourg became known,
a man jumped onto the running
board of the car and shot her
through the head. The body was
dragged from the automobile and
carried off. 1t is supposed that it
was thrown into the canal, but it
has not been found.
Tries to Flee; Shot Down.
In the meantime DIR. Liebknecht
was hurried into another automo-
bile by officers and troops sur
rounded the car, and he was headed
for Moabite prison While going
through the Tiergarten the machine
was halted by a punctured tire. DR..
Liabkneeht was asked to get out by
the officers, who intended to hail
another automobile and continue
toward the prison. While waiting,
DR.. Liebknecht made an attempt to
escape and was shot dead by SOL
diers, who had anticipated such an
effort on his part. When he was
arrested at the home of relative
yesterday he denied his identity.
Trapped by Phone Call.
Dr. Liebk1echt's capture was due
tD telephone conversation, which
was overheard, with Rosa Luxem-
burg, who agreed TO meet at the
home of a man named Marcusson.
who lived in the suburb of Winners
haven.
Marcusson home has long been
the meeting place of Spartacans.
Dr. Liebknecht's attempt to escape
was the last desperate dash for
freedom on the part OF a man who
had left prison only last Septem-
her. When the automobile broke
down. the officer in charge asked
Or. Liebknecht, who was suffering
from a wound in the head he had
received through being struck by
some member of the mob. whether
lie felt able to walk to the next
street, where another automobile
could be found.
His Death Instant
DR.. Liebknecht said he could and
the party started to walk. When
near a group of trees, Liebknecht
>Slshed aside the soldier nearest
him and dashed for the underbrush
II the TiergGTten. The soldiers or
dered him to halt. He ignored their
demands and several shots were
fred at him. One bullet struck him
in the base of the neck, squarely
between the shoulders and his death
was virtually INSTANTANEOUS
Always a Radical.
Carl Paul August Friederich
was born at Leipsic on
Aug. '13. 1871. After being gradu-
ated from the University of Leipsic
he entered politics as a Socialist
He was a radical opponent of the
militarist policies of Germany from
the start OF his political career, and
his attitude brought about his trial
in 1907 for high treason, following
the appearance of an anti-military
pamphlet written by him. The
.Cra-t.-..-<I a.. D.. 49,.