Evening journal., 1920-01-14
germany SEEMS
ON REVOLT edge
OontInued from FIrst page.

OJutiuutu lIUM flISb rage
partly because Of excitement attending
lie strike. The railway strikers have
succeeded In cutting off telegraphic
Cmnunicatlon from Western Germany,
wherc The striRs has been mos; sucoose-
fu.
h'unors that the communists would
axe advantage OF the situation 10 call
Z general strike In an attempt 10 over
throw The government were current.
Authorities, however. were reportd to
use harsh methods TO prevent out
breaks.
The dispatch quoted a government
statement as admitting The situation
was critical"
BERNE. Jan "a. United Press).-
Twenty-Five persons were killed and
tlfty wounded seriously when mobs,
which had gathered outside the Relchs-
tag building IN Berlin clashed with po-
lice and soldiers, a dispatch from Ber-
lin said today.
BERLIN, Jan. IL. Delayed The
government today announced martial
law had been declared in the Ruhr dis
trict and in upper Silesia because Of
disorders attending the railway strike.
The government IS determined 10 use
every means to suppress the strike, 1t
was announced.
The mob began gathering shortly af-
ter noon in response TO requests for a
demonstration against pending labor
legislation in the Reichstag.
At first the meeting was orderly Then
radical speakers so inflaIned the people
they attempted 10 rush the Reichstag
Fighting followed.
Less than a score Of guards were
about the building. but they hurriedly
called relnforcements.
Machine guns were brought into use.
The greatest confusion followed. Many
women were trampled as the great
crowds attempted to escape the hail OF
bullets from the soldiers and police.
Dead and wounded Uttered the great
square In front Of the Relchstag. Mob
leaders .commandeered taxicabs to carry
off the injured Streets and steps in
front OF the Reichstag were smeared
with blood of the dead.
The outbreak was believed to be di-
rect result OF the government new
policy Of allowing peaceful demonstra-
tions. Many leaders pointed out 1t
would have been impossible had Gus
tave Noske, minister Of defense, con-
tinued his former policy Of ruthless
uuelling Of all attempts at radical
demonstration.
REPORTS here indicated the outbreak
was widespread. Rioting has occurred
AZ Uamborn. in Rhenish Prussia, where
mobs were said 10 have rushed the
town hall, destroying the archives. SIM
liar riots occurred in villages In the
Hamborn district. Agitation begin some
time ago when the railway strike was
declared there were rumOrs at that
time the radicals planned a general out
break. possibly with "A general strike
desiged 10 overthrow the government.
The worst OF the fighting was over
at 4 o'clock, but new outbreaks were
feared Scattered mobs continued to
straggle through the streets. The red
nag was in eyeidence In some quar-
tiers.
The immediate occasion OF the out
burst. 70 was said, was consideration OF
a measure TO create factory councils by
the Reichstag. 1t grew out Of the wide
spread demands of radicals for com
of industry.
Independent Socialists complained the
did not meet the workers
needs and an appeal was published in
Die Freigt calling for demonstration.
T. Cnion members were asked to meet in
front Of the Beichstag at 3 o'clock this
Aftcr the rioting some union
leader said the newspapers appeal was
not authorized.