Norwich bulletin., 1920-03-16

Berlin. March lo--lbT lne A. F.J- The counter-revoluti>nar in Ger many appears tonigf to have reach ed the end of the road. There is a strQW probability that shortly one goN eminent will be in control and that President Ebert will come back Co Berlin with his ministers
 A basis Of agreement between the government set up by Dr. Wolfgang kapp as chancellor and the govern menf of President Ebert is enunci- ated in a declaration issued by the present Berlin government today An nouncement is made that negotiations with a settlement in view have been opened between the two governments at toe instance of President Ebert and his associates. But there is no direct confirmation of this from Ebert, who is understood 10 be at Stuttgart.
 Brief. Chancellor kapp Is agree nhif t0 the continuance in office of the present imperial president'- who is Friedrich Ebert: he renounces Inc formation or a new ministry and places the direction Of affairs in the hands Of the under-secretaries of state.
 The agreement as set forth by Chancellor Kapp provides for a cab inci. Wnich shall include 'profes sional ministers" or experts; cleo ton within two months for members uf the reichstag and the Prussian na- tlonai assembly. and subsequently, an election for imperial president by the people-until which time Ebert shall hold the reins of power.
 One significant clause in the pro- nuncismento says: The new and old governments shall issue join S5cla- ration that unde- present conditions a general strike is a crime against the German people"
 Herein lies the explanation of the proposed settlement. for the general strike as often before. has proved an effective weapon. Germany already has felt its sinister effect, for the strike in Berlin and many of the other principal cities of the country immediately cut off sup plies. means of transportation, light and heat.
 it was President Ebert and his ministers who called upon the so- ciaiists. the workmen and all the people 10 declare a general strike. and there was an instant and effective resnose to this call. Labor fiercely resisted ihe usurpation of the reac- tionary government. Vast numbers of men left their work. ad serious disorders occurred in various part oi tho country.
 Chancellor Kapp and his supporter, announced that they would dea harshly with strikes or passive re sistance to the existing order in Der lin. One of the leaders of the coun ter-revolution voicing the sentiment o the others said:
 we won't knuckle down to the so cialists and workmen. who think the can run the country"
 Notwithstanding the government threat Of drastic mes sures 1t has bee evident that neither Dr. KappS no Major General Nen LuettwitZ wa willing to put their warnings to tn test. Bloodshed would have the been inevitable plunging the countr possibly irA1 a state of anacrhy an giving the communists the oppor tunity they had long awaited to fois the soviet doctrines upon Germany.
 The situation for a time wa frauEht with alarming possibilitiei particularly if the strike should ex tend to the railroads. The immedi ate consequence Of this would hay ban the speedy starvation of Der un. The most liNeral estimates plac cd Beriin's food supply at less tha eight dayA
 Th.s state Of affairs was recogniz rd in all its seriousness also by tn Ebert government. Therefore hop is entertained here that an agreemer wiii be reached by, the two contend ing governments and that the street of Berlin will soon be cleared of vii entangiements. machine guns an armed troops.
 Although this country -revolutio has thus far been the most .orAIl of any ih the history of a great cour iry. itlas not passed without the clash ing of arms and bloodshed. In var ous cities there has been fighting no-h by mpbs and by troos and todd several pc-zons were killed and other wounded in disorders in the. suburb Of Berlin. when rifles and machir guns were turned upon they crowds
 Hand grenades were also explode fr front of the headquarters of Ger sral Non Luettwitz. the reactionar minister Of defence. but they did r great damage. indicating merely tf spirit Of opposition.
 Much interest should attach to II meeting Of the national :. assembl which has been called for Tuesda st Stuttgart. The action of the a: sembly. fl the meeting is held, shou have a potent effect in clearing U the grave situation which has arise .n the last few days.