South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-18
MYSTERY In
RESIGNATION
OF KAPP MEN
Mai. Gen. Won Leultwitz is
Now in Control at Ger
man Capital.

BERLIN, March 17.-After hold
ing the reins of power for less than
five days, Dr. Wolfgang Kapp. the
self-appointed chancellor and dicta-
-cr, has retired from Office and
control. lie resigned Wednesday
and an official cOmmunicat ex-
planned that the chancellor consid-
cred his mission fulfilled when the
old government decided 70 meet the
most essential demands addressed
10 H. He was also moved TO this
action by extreme necessity OF the
ratherIand. which demanded union
against the dangers OF bolsheVism.
The real circumstances Of Kapp's
retirement are sin ShrOuded In mys-
terry An important factor undou bt-
cdly is TO 'Oe found in the delibera-
tlonS OF the under secretaries and
imperial council Tuesday. which
Maj. Gen. Won Luettwitz attended
The views OF this conference We're
that both Kapp and Won Luettwitz
withdraw In orGer 10 terminate AN
intoleraDle position.
Won Incttwitz in Control.
Won Luettwitz agreed TO this, but
when he returned 90 the Chancel-
lorv he allowed himself TO be per
suaded 10 change his mind ana re-
,ain office. To him has been dele
gated the executive power by the
former revolutionary chancellor
and il is difficult 20 say what viii
happen now that Von LuetJwitz re-
mains the military dictator al Ber-
lin.
Ii is reported, however, that Gus
,av Noske, minister Of defense in
IL oil L.
coming here Wednesday night. and
ION Luettwitz perhaps will transfer
his new found authority 10 him.
In conference with the foreign
correspondents Tuesday Kapp's press
chief made play with the bolshevist
danger In a second conference an
attempt was made TO conceal the
fact that the Berlin government was
likely 10 be Of only short duration
Decisive Fact.
Although the general strike dealt
this government a mortal blow.
the decisive fact - that kapp and
mis- supporters had no political
prestige. their government being
Quilt only on machine guns.
The statements made at these
conferences gave a strange impress
sion and caused q suspicion that
the cry Of alarm about the bolshe-
visits was preliminary to the an
nOuncement of retreat. The chief Of
the press bureau warned the cor
respondents against showing them
selves in the streets, as cOmmun-
ist revolt was expected hourly.
That any kind of compromise now
Is out of the question is not doubted
Pres't Ebert OF the old government
being strongly entrenched at Stutt-
CART. where, according 20 semi-otf-
cial advices, the council Of the en-
pire met today and unanimously az
proved the old government and
strongly condemned the military
coup at Berlin.
frightened Berliners Tuesday
night were asking. The white or
red terror. which ." This was ia
consequence OF an official announce
ment that the reds were planning a
rising and calling upon the people
20 save the country from bolshevism.
Fear BlOOdshcd.
Government officials said. I'VE
fear bloodshed tonight, il is difficult
for Us 70 hold the troops back"
In preparation FOR the expected
rising officials camped in their Offices
all night When the correspondent
left the chancellOry at midnight in
TO the darkening Wuhelmstrasse
soldiers We're bringing in huge boxes
OF food and cases OF wine Berlin
ers generally scurried 10 their homes
apprehensiyely seeking refuge and
locking their doors.
Notwithstanding Dr. Rapps resig
nation. Berlin seems destined TO
have troub ous times. An infiuen-
tial memh er OF the government
talking with the correspondent Tues
day. insisted upon the urgency Of
;'Ippressing the strike moveme ent
and communist opposition. lie said:
Expect Great Events
Time is on the side OF the com
munists. and every hour We let slip
weakens our position. We n 9y eX-
fCONTINT-ED M PACE SIX