New-York tribune., 1920-01-15
Noske Made Commander
i'm Chief of Greater Ber-
lin District; Ban Is Put
on ALI Public Meetings
Sale of ''Red Flag
Also Is Prohibited
New Uprising Feared To-
day on Anniversary of
DIR. Libknecht's Death

LONDON, Jan. 14.-Reuter's Ber.
lin correspondent under to-day $
date says it is semi-ofiicially an
nounced and seems to be finally es-
tablished that forty-two persons
were killed and 1O5 wounded in the
yesterday before the Re:chs
tag building. The police were finally
compelled to throw bombs among
the rioters, causing panic in which
many were struck by bullets, and
including many women,
were trampled under foot.
BERLIN, Jan. II (By The Asso-
ciated Press The government last
night proclaimed martial law in all
sections of Germany, because of the
mob demonstration this afternoon,
in which at least thirty persons
were killed and 100 others were
wounded by machine gun fire from
guards in front of the Reichstag
Building.
Noske Given Full Power
Gustav Noske, the Minister Of De-
Tense, has been appointed com
mander in chief for the greater
Berlin district and Brandenburp
Province. Street parades, mectines
and demonstrations Of all kinds have
been prohibited. The sale Of Die
Freiheit' and the Red Flag, have
been forbidden.
Premier Bauer created a sensation
IN the Assembly to-day when he de
c!ared witnesses were available 70
prove that independent members of the
Assembly went to the west window Of
the Relchstag yesterday during the
rloting and motioned to the mob TO
come on.
The Prussian Minister of the In
terror, DR.. Heine. specifically charged
that Louise Zietz and Friedrich Zuibel,.
independent Deputies, went to the
south entrance of the Reichstag ana
beckoned to the mob TO enter thsr re-
The Social Democratic partv ha.
issued an appeal to its members not 10
allow themselves to be provoked by IN
dependent and communist wire pull
ers, who are directly responsible for
the boodshed, and want TO continue
playing. an unscrupulous game with
human lives"
The appeal asks whether the workers
Will permit national representation to
be placed under terrorism. and tells
them the German nation can be saved
from complete destruction only hy
work
Level minded citizens Of Berlin call
for government measures TO prevent
further riots, especially those dreaded
in connection with the celebration on
Thursday OF the anniversary of the
death Of DR.. Liebknecht and Rosa
Luxembourg.
Police Absolved From Blame
"Thc Vorwarts" editorialiy declares
that, according to all reports. the oo-
lice showed the utmost patience in the
rioting of Tuesday and did not fire
until ten policemen had been severely
wounded. 1t asserts that Dr.. Heine,
Prussian Minister of the Interior, and
Chief of Police Ernst personally con-
troi!ed the police, and adds that neither
the government nor Its organs were re-
sporsi for the bloodsbed
"The aim Of the criminal elements,
however" it says, twas achieved, arl
the workers were increasingly stirred
by the bloodshed The responsibility
will be on the heads Of those who sense
lessly led innocent people into danger
of destruction"
All the Rightist papers also support
the government and welcome the proc
lamation of martial law. The Conser-
vative papers regret that the measure
was not applied sooner by way of pre-
caution, and for this reason shift the
responsibility for the bloodshed to the
government.
Mob Organized by Extremists
The mob which made the demonstra~
tlon was organized by extremists as
protest against the Industrial Council
bill now before the National Assembly,
began to gather yesterday morning ~
noon every street leading TO the Tier
garten vas crowded with people carry
ing red flags and placards. Anticinatine
q demonstration before the Reichstag
building the authorities had surrouna-
ed the building with Public Securif1
Guards and machine gunners, wlo
barred approach to the eiiice As tn.,.
passed the crowd was joined by strik-
ing tram employees, and soon inflam-
matory speeches were begun by agits-
tors.
When the National Assembly con-
ing the building was estimated at 40.-
600 and new delegations Of working
people carrying red flags and banners
inscribed with the words: "All Power 10
the Soviets," continued TO arrive. Troop
reinforcements in huge motor trucks
were added to the guards on duty, hut
only one arrest had been made since
noon. The man taken into custody is
said to have shouted Down with
Noske."
Attempts were made by the guards
quietly to disperse the mob, but it was
needless of warnings from the police.
At last the meb, regardless of the ma
chine gunners and other defenders Of
the building. made q rush against the
police lines. trying to disarm the guards
and disable the machine guns.
Pavement Uttered With Dead
When it was seen the mob could not
be checked In any other way, Are was
opened on it. The shooting was at
close range and the space in front Of