The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-03-16
WAR NEAR AS
EBERT BREAKS
WITH BERLIN
Head of Socialist Government
of Germany, at Stuttgart,
Announces Complete Sur
render His Only Terms.
ASSEMBLY To CONVENE
(By Associated Press)


supremacy. While reports through
Paris today reiterate that negotiations
are in progress for a compromise, the
Ebert government in Stuttgart is
equally positive that no compromise
can be considered.
On the face of the announcement by
the rival governments. today promised
to witness the beginning of a deter
mined contest for control.
Chancellor Kapp, backed by the
bayonets of the troops that made it
possible for him to oust the Ebert gov
ernment, is sitting tighter in the Ger
man capital. but already feels the ef-
feet OF the strong weapon the Social
lists have used to combat him the
general strike. Against this he de-
clares that most drastic measures will
be taken Immediately.
Surrender Is Demanded.
In Stuttgart, President Ebert and
his followers not only deny the report
current yesterday that an agreement
had been reached with the Kapp
forces, but declared there could be no
| negotiations except upon the basis of
unconditional surrender by DR.. Kapp.
The national assembly, called to-
gether by the Ebert government, will
meet at Stuttgart tomorrow to con-
slider the situation.
Field Marshal Won Hindenberg who
has been mentioned as the chief Of
the Kapp faction for the German
presidency, has eliminated himself
| from the situation, it is stated by Han
| over newspapers. He is reported to
have made a public declaration that
he is not connected with the Kapp
| revolution, and on the contrary, disap-
proves of it.
Berlin Gripped by Strike.
Berlin Is in the grip of a general
strike called by Socialists and Labor
! leaders, as a counter stroke to the
assumption of power by the govern
ment headed by DR.. Wolfgang Kapp,
| who has issued a decree threatening
all strike leaders and pickets with
death if there is interference with
vital public services
| Extreme measures will be taken un-
der the decree from 4 o'clock this
afternoon and 1t is possible the crisis
OF the new revolution will quickly
| follow
| Details of the situation throughout
Germany are somewhat obscure but
| there seems to be reason to believe
the Ebert government is still holding
control in the southern and western
sections. while the Kapp regime is
rather firmly intrenched in northeast.
ern Prussia and in Silesia, where
many towns and cities are reported
to have declared their adherence to
| the new government
No Organized Fighting.
| Fighting Is reported at various
!
said there was bloodshed in suburbs
of Berlin yesterday, but 1t would seem
the clashes so far reported have been
between militia units and disorderlv
crowds. So far as is known, armed
forces OF the two governments have
not come into collision.
Heavy troop reinforcements were re-
ce1ved today by the new government
IN Berlin. They marched into Berlin
from nearby garrisons
Chancellor kapp, who was carried
into office on the points OF 5000
bayonets three days ago, thus far has
been able to produce only military
backing for his government The basis
or his political authority and the
source of the support other than mill
| tary which he claims continue to be
matters of profound mystery.
Notwithstanding this, he appears
buoyant with optimism born of the
conviction that the insurrection which
he heads will win the people.
Threatens Strikers With Death.
Men who act as leaders or pickets
in the general strike called in this city
as a protest against reactionary re-
volt, are threatened with the death
penalty. in a proclamation issued Mon
day by DR.. Kapp.
|
punishment will be effective after four
o'clock Tuesday afternoon and is
based on the decree prohibiting any
strike or passive resistance in any
vital service which was issued earlier
in the day by the minister of defense.
The Chancellor's proclamation fol-
lows:
"Ringleaders who are guilty Of acts
specified in the decree for safeguard
ing important services and for the pro-
lection of labor and peace will, as we'll
as strike pickets. be punished with
death. This decree is effective from
4 p. m. Tuesday"
Strike May Continue.
There is intense anxiety over the
prospect Of a continuance of the
strike with possibility of famine and
. epidemics resulting from the lack of
sanitation and the stoppage OF the
: water supply.
No world capital probably ever be-
fore experienced such complete par
| alysis of all its living and commercial
facilities as Berlin did today.
, DRESDEN March 15.-Communica.
: tions between this city and all parts
of Germany are being safeguarded
, said a proclamation issued here today
r by the Ebert government.
Certain It is that the Berlin venture
r will collapse of its own weakness and
} confusion, the proclamation declared
"the fatal political and economical
: consequences of this step are to be
T deplored. All authorities are asked