The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-24

Determined to show their contempt for
all things sacred, communist leaders
declared they would force all to work
on Good Friday, thereafter resuming
the strike.
Working on the public's dissatisfac-
ton with the allied terms, radicals are
seeking to stir up a general revolt.
They hoped the demonstration would
land them in power. The dynamiting g
of the victory column in Berlin was
the first step.
The radical press. led by the "Red
Flag" here, is urging action with
weapons in hand"
Government officials declared they
were confident they can suppress the
uprising but admitted that more prop
erty damage and bloodshed might re-
suit before it is quelled.
Twenty-Five Killed.
The death list included: Seventeen
in Hamburg. three in Freiburg and
five in Eisleben.
Eisleben was the scene of a par
ticularly violent demonstration. Street
fighting broke out there with the po-
lice beleaguered in their barracks. The
Frankfort-Berlin express was derailed
when communists tore out a section of
track.
Leuna works went on strike. joining
the street crowds and making the
work of the police more difficult.
At Hamburg, the fighting began
when communists urged fellow ship
workers to join them in strike. Po-
lice interfered, using their revolvers
and rifles. Two policemen and fifteen
communists were killed.
Huge bands of communists Joined by
lawless elements joined in the looting
of banks and postoffices at Wansleben.
Mansfield and Leipzig. Efforts were
made to bring security police into ac-
tion against the uprising.
Fighting il Hamburg began at noon
when lunch hour crowds left the big
shipyards. Arguing violently for a
strike, communists precipitated small
fist fights which grew into riots.
Police charged the swelling crowds
The attacks on the officers was so
obvious they were compelled to draw
revolvers. Two policemen were beaten
and killed while the mob swept over
them. The remaining officers fired
into the crowd, killing fifteen before
the streets were cleared.
Expect New Attacks.
Hamburg quieted at night with the
streets heavily guarded. Another
rush Wa 5 expected today but police de-
clared they were able to meet any at
tacks.
Three attempts were made to dyna-
mite court house at Leipzig. Occu-
pants of the building were driven out
The third explosion did great damage
to the structure. The nearby streets
had been cleared and no casualties re-
suited.
Three deaths were reported at Frei-
berg when court house was dyna-
mited. Two more persons were in
jured in the crashing masonry. Police
beat back a great crowd at Hettsted
which stormed a line of officers, de-
manding that the, town hall be handed
over to them. Revolutionary banners
and flags cropped out in the mob.
A large band of radicals drove
guards away from a small bank al
Rodleweisch, tore the bars from the
windows and obtained a quantity OF
currency.
Communists gained the support OF
other workers at Marinberg when
heavy police guards were stationed al
factory gates. The workers united in
declaring war on the officers Police
formed at Auelbach. intent on wreck
ing the town hall.
Rioters Use Armored Autos.
Rioters used armored lorries in ter
rorizing Mansfield. A large crowd
afternoon. The officers did not an
swer the shots and the crowds became
bolder.
Later, other mobs formed. Fifty
rushed the postoffice, overpowered the
clerks there and took all the valuable
mail they could find, leaving the office
in confusion.
Another band mounted a machine
gun on an auto truck which was halt
ed at a street intersection command
ing the approaches to the State Saw
ings bank. The gunners kept the
street clear while the vaults were
emptied of 100000 marks A private
bank was robbed in the same way.
Another robbery occurred at Wan
sleben. The same bands which in
cluded a number of electrical workers
cut the great transmission cables sup
plying power to big factories there
Street lighting also was crippled by
the workers
Police Take to Trenches.
Defiance was shown the radicals al
Halle Ober President HoerSting is
sued a proclamation declaring the law
less bands would be combated to the
utmost. Hoersting declared he would
mobilize the security police If neces-
sary. Watchmen and private guards
he said, showed they feared to inter
fere with the rioters.
The response to Hoersting's appea
was the declaring of a general strike
in that district. The mining regior
about Eisleben was paralyZed. Where
the levels were not flooded, track.
were ripped out and workers were
threatened when they attempted tC
report for work.
Near the Eislebel4 station, police
were entrenched. Communists there
pointed to the act as one of war anC
called on all workers to mobilize
noornoasr anllor 0aor