The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-30
NEAR WAR RULES
Germany Under Almost War
time Restrictions.
Chancellor Wirth Promises Iron
Hand to QuelI Riots.
PRES. EBERT ISSUES DECREE
Papers Put Under Censorship
and FOrbidding Meetings.
Organized Labor Asked to Aid
in Keeping Peace.
PRES. EBERT ISSUES DECREE

Berlin, Aug. 30.-Germany was to-
day under restrictions closely ap-
preaching martial law as a result of a
decree issued late yesterday by Presi-
dent Ebert. Meetings, professions,
demonstrations and the issuance Of
publications 'likely to encourage Sc
ditious movements" were forbidden in
the decree, and warning was given
that ANY and every instruction
would be suppressed with relentless
severity.
Majority and independent socialists
have made formal demand upon
Chancellor Wirth that elements re-
sponsible for anti-republican activities
be restrained by the government and
organized labor has informed the
chancellor that it is prepared to de
fend the republic"
The decree issued by the president
became effective upon publication AMI
its execution has been placed in the
hands of the ministry of the interior.
Dangers Are Minimized.
There was a disposition in con-
servative quarters today TO minimize
the dangers of a counter revolution
despite the. evident anxiety on the
part OF government officials and the
sensational warnings in the press.
1t was pointed out that while the
alarm cry has gone up that the re-
public is in danger, there has not been
single concrete report giving any
ahegeo plans for an uprising on the
part of either the militarists or the
communists.
There was an atmosphere of keen
tension, however, resulting from the
government proclamation of Monday
night establishing a press censorship
penalties.
Murder Part of Plot.
The fresh troubles besetting the re-
publican government have arisen from
the assassination of the liberal leader~
Matthias Erzberger. According to the
democratic press, the assassination
was a definite development in the
plans and plots of militarists and roy
alists against the Ebert government.
A delegation of labor union leaders
have called upon Chancellor Wirth
and demanded reorganization of the
relchswehr and dismissal of the anti
republican officers so the troops could
not be utilized in a royalist uprising.
The laborites also seek an investiea-
ton of the judiciary, claiming that
militarists were being acquitted and
severe terms of Imprisonment were
oelng imposed on Socialists and Com
munist sympathizers.
The Patriotic Soldiers association
has served an ultimatum upon the
government demanding that the pro-
posed Socialist demonstration tomor-
row be prevented.
Wirth Uses Iron Hand.
Chancellor Wirth has promised the
democratic element-incIuding repre-
sentatives of the worker-that the
government will preserve order and
Will adopt ruthless measures If any
attempt at violence is launched.
me Socialists are planning a
gigantic demonstration tomorrow
afternoon to protest against National
lst activity. The Berlin police are
taking special measures to keep order.
The communist organ Rote Fahne
is making sensational capital out of
the present disturbed conditions This
paper went even further than the
labor unions in its demand upon the
government. They included: Dis
missal of monarchists and militarists
from all public offices the judiciary
and the army. REORGANIZATION of the
reichswehr and the creations of SOL
diers' councils Clike those in the Rus
sian soviet army for the election of
officers from the ranks
The anxiety of the cabinet members
was reflected in the proclamation is
sued by the government which alleged
interruptions elements are planning
the violent overthrow of the constitu-
tional government and openly, in
newspapers, are urging violence and
even murder"
The proclamation prohibits public
assemblages and threatens a 100000
marks fine for public agitators For
the time being the domestic situation
overshadows Upper Silesia. the Ger
man-American treaty, indemnity and
everything else
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