New-York tribune., 1920-04-03
Berlin Fears
Catastrophe as
Raids Continue
Pillaging by Marauding
Bands in West Prevents
Return to Order; Inhab-
itants Are Terrorized
Communists Hold Towns
France Is Accused of TAX.
ing Counsel With the
Independent Socialists
BY William {. Drencr
Special Ccbic TO The Tribune

tCoIyright 1920. New Ycrk Tribune Inc)
BERLIN, April 2.-The situation in
the West appears confused. The re-
ports received by the national govern
mcnt arc rcassuring and indicate q
steady movement toward return Of
order without resort TO force But on
the other hand the office of the Prus-
sian commissioner gave ont state
mcnt this afternoon saying the situa-
ON was serious and that catastrophe
threatens.
The pest that can be said is that in
any event it will take some time to
pacliy the region, as marauding ban is
arc plllaglng in different parts OF
the country. while the Commu~ SITS re-
tain possession Of number Of towns,
telroining the inhabitants and pre-
venting the restoration of order.
France Raises Objec ion
The act that France has just raised
unexpected objections TO the sending
Of German troops into the Essen region
on the grounds that the Rhine valley
IS neutral territory under the treaty
Na:ses serious obstacle. in the onin-
on OF government officials here, and
Will rctard the restoration o. Berlin's
ar'hority. The view is expressed here
hat France is taking counsel with the
pelnan independent Socialists. who are
ready to put any sort OF obstacle in
me way Of the moderate government.
Thr widespread distrust awakened
among the working classes of the IN
GUstria dis.ric, as the result Of the
retention by the Ebert government Of
General Waiter. VINO refused publicly
% declare his loyalty to the existing
authority and to take d stand against
DR.. Wclfeang happ until after the
lattcrs fate had been sealed has
brought home 70 The Berlin govern
mcnt some realization Of is mistake
The same error is said now to explain
Inc hitjerness with which the com
muNist army continued TO fight against
the government troops long after
Nap2 mad disappeared. Moreover. it
now is lcarNed that the Communists
were long preparing for d military out
break and were only hurried into i'm
mediate action by ,nc Kappadc."
Russian Emissarics Busy
1t IS authoritatively reported from
various sources here that Russian
cmissarcs were operating in the
Rhine valley at the time of the up
rising and persuaded the Communist
leaders that the Russian soviet army
was ready TO advance upon Germany
in cooperation with a revolutionary
movement. The Communists plan orig
iually had been to await that Russian
attack and the concentration in East
err Gcrmany.of federal troops to rcpci
the invasion before starting their
movement, but kapp induced them to
change their plans and strike first.
BERLIN. April 2 (By The Associated
Press). The German government an
nounces in a communication TO the
press that it has resolved to dispatch
troops to the Ruhr region as soon as
the Entente consents TO such move.
The decision was reached after three
hours Cabinet meeting to-day.
The "Red' army's terms arc reported
20 amount 20 a demand for the com
plcsc recognition Of tho Soviet prin-
clp!e The statement declared that this
acton WIS inevitable in view of tho
unchecked laWlcSsncS8 in the region
about Essen, Dortmund, Duisburg and
Mulncini, which II is asserted has now
assumed sucn proportions that the
local authorities and the labor leaders
admit that tncy 10 longer are able to
protect the civilian population.
The Chancellor SAID he had received
urgent reports from Essen, whore ter
rorlst bands we're !ooting food trains
for supplies. The looting brigadcs, the
Chancellor added, had been disavowcd
BY al! parties, even The Communists
fContinued on paap four)