The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-27
MONARCHY aim
OF new REVOLT
BY TEUTON REDS
Kaiser's Birthday Date Set for
the Revolution.
Attack on Erzberger First Of
Planned Outbreak.
CLIMAX OF WAR CRIME TRIALS
Assassin Was Former Lieuten-
ant in EmperOr's Service.
Gustav Noske MObilizes Every
Possible Defense Today.
CLIMAX OF WAR CRIME TRIALS
Assassin Was Former Lieuten-
ant in Emperor's Service.

Berlin, Jan. 27.-Heavy patrols OF
soldiers guarded the government
buildings during the past night and
stopped all traffic over streets in that
neighborhood where barricades were
thrown up by the troops before night
fall. Rumors We're heard during the
evening that Monsrchists had planned
an uprising today, which is the BIRTH
day of former Emperor William.
Gustav Noske, minister of defense. had
massed troops as precautionary
measure.
While government officials have de-
MED any knowledge of an intended
insurrection and say the attack on
Matthias. Erzberger. minister of finance.
yesterday prompted the mobilization
of forces, it is declared the authors
ties sought to forestall action on the
part of the supporters of the imperial
regime. 1t was reported last night
that attacks against the independent
socialists and radicals were planned
as the first step in the Monarchist
coup.
Assassin Ex-Army Officer.
Deep indignation over the attack
on Herr Erzberger was expressed in a
proclamation issued last night the
attempted assassination being called
"a criminal excess Of political war
fare"
Erzberger was shot by young stu
dent and former army lieutenant
named Otto Won Hirschfeld. He was
not seriously injured altho physicians
said an operation would be necessary
to remove the bullet which lodged in
| his shoulder.
from small caIiber revolver. but only
one took effect. The first shot struck
] a heavy watch chain and glanced off.
the second also glanced when it struck
a button on Erzberger's vest.
Won Hirschfeld was arrested imme-
| diately. He told the police he had
| been attending the Erzberger- Hell
ferich trial and had become convinced
| Erzberger was "noxious to Germany"
The British and Italian ministers
! sent messages of sympathy to Err
| berger.
Attack Climax OF Trial.
Rumors of an impending monarch-
| ist outbreak were circulated soon
after the shooting, and Gustav Noske,
minister of defense, Immediately put
guards over all government buildings.
The public was forbidden to enter cer-
tain zones.
The attack upon Erzberger came as
climax to the stormy trial in which
the finance minister is suing DR.. Karl
Helfferich, former vice chancellor ana
once minister to Russia, for libel.
Helfferich had charged the finance
munster with using government WAT
posts for private gain.
The trial. which has been attended
largely by German leaders. resulted in
crystallizing the bitter feeling between
the Pan-Germans and the present
government. Helfferich was particu-
larly bitter in his attacks upon ErZ-
berger in the court room.
After the court had adjourned Mon
day, Erzberger accompanied by his
lawyer walked from the court build
ing to his motor car which was wait
ing. Unnoticed in the crowd Won
Hirschfeld hurried up to Erzberger's
side and began firing.
Ex-Emperor Discouraged.
Mayence, Jan, 27.--German news
papers publish a letter from former
Emperor William to a personal friend
in which Count Hohenzollern ex-
presses his absolute disbursement
and says he does not want ever to re-
| turn to Germany. He says he believes
his return would cause a split between
! the German factions.
Make New Appeal 10 Entente.
Paris, Jan. 27.-The German gov
ernment has sent a note to Paris try
ing once more to induce the allies TO
renounce execution OF Article 228 OF
the peace treaty, dealing with the sur
render of persons accused of acts in
=, violation of the laws and customs of