The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-16
Won KAPP NOW
READY TO QUIT
AS CHANCELLOR
Workers on General Strike Now
Attack Soldiers.
Many Killed in Fighting in
German Centers.
CIVIL WAR now CERTAIN
Won Kapp Desperate, Threatens
Strikers With Death.
Unconditional Surrender De-
manded by President Ebert.

w
London, March 16.-Dr. Wolfgang
Won Kapp, leader of the new German
revolution, has offered to resign as
chancellor thus opening the way to
negotiations with the Ebert govern
ment. according to the Berlin corre-
spondcnt of the Exchange Telegraph
company.
General Maercker. representing the
Kapp government, was reported to be
en- route il. airplane to Stuttgart, pro-
vislonaI capital of the Ebert admins
tration. bearing proposals for a COM
promise.
It was believed he also carried
Kapp's offer to resign. Kapp himself
was said to have announced Maerc-
ker's departure.
The foreig- office stated today that
the British embassy in Berlin had sub
stantially confirmed reports of an
agreement betw- en- Kapp and Ebert
The foreign office explained that the
embassy's apparent confirmation of
such an agreement was based on re-
port published by the Allegemeine Zei-
tunc.
An Exchange Telegraph dispatch
from Amsterdam today. said a tele-
phone communication from Berlin de-
cIared the le@ders of the counter rev.
olution were in conference thruout
last night. General Ludendorff was in
attendance.
The communication further said
that owing to the publishing of mis-
leading reports by the Kapp group, it
Workers Attack Soldiers.
Berlin, March 16.-Severe fighting
occurred in Berlin and the suburbs to-
day as the result of clashes between
citizens and revolutionary soldiers.
A number of persons were killed
and many wounded when soldiers
turned machine guns on the crowd
after a bomb had been thrown at Cen
eral Won Luettwitz's headquarters on
Potsdam square. Later j mob at
tucked sixty soldiers in the suburbs
with casualties on both sides.
Political Situation Mixed.
The political aspects of the situation
are as yet extremely mixed. In some
quarters the opinion is expressed thal
Chancellor Kapp would be satisfied ii
he succeeds in definitely disposing o1
the former regime; that his coup was
merely a means to an end de is as
yet lacking in the support of men OF
ministerial timber and he has an
nounced that no plans for the forma-
tion of a cabinet have been made.
Heavy troop reinforcements were
received by the new government II
Berlin. They marched into Berlir
from nearby garrison.
Kapp Changes Tactics
Chancellor Kapp. who was carried
into office on the point of 5000 bay
onets three days ago, thus far has beer
able to produce only military backing
for his government. The basis of his
political authority and the source O
the support other than military which
he claims continue to be matters o.
profound mystery.
The efforts of Chancellor Kapp'i
followers now appear, according u
the French advices to be directed to
ward the elimination from the cab
met Of the ministers most objection
able to the Kapp following and t.
bring about a shifting of power in th'
direction of conservatism.
According to the French dispatch !
IS beginning to appear as If Docto
Kapp and his active supporters wer'
put forward as what might be called
storm troops" to try the ground ant
see what could be done. while tn
real leaders of the reactionary ide'
remained in the background awaiting
developments.
Death for Strike Pickets.
Men who act as leaders or picket
in the general strike called in thi
city ss a protest against the reaction
airy revolt are threatened with deatl
penalty in a proclamation issued to
day by DR.. Wolfgang Kapp. the ney
chancellor The order for the inflic
ton OF capital punishment will be eff
fective after o'clock Tuesday after
noon. and is based upon the deere
prohibiting any strike or passive re
sistance in any vital service which wa
issued earlier in the day by the minis
ter of defense. The chancellor's proc
larnation follows:
"Ringleaders who are guilty of act
specified in the decree for safeguard
ing important services and for tn
protection of labor and peace. will. a
well strik" pickets. be punishe
with death This decree is effectiv
from p. m Tuesday"
There is intense ANXIETY over tn
prc~Dect OF a continuance of the strik
with a possibility of famine and ep
tContinued on Page Two.l