New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-06
Berlin Faces
A New Crisis
Over Bavaria
Monarchists Flout Repub-
lican Regime, but the
German Chancellor Is
Firm Against Movement
By Joseph Shaplen

Copyright, 1921, New York Tribune Inc.
BERLIN, Sept. 5.-This week is ex-
pected to determine the fate of the
German Republic, for it will see SET
tlement one way or the other of the
conflict between the national govern
ment and the state Of Bavaria, which
has been one Of the sorest spots of
German political life. The question to
be decided is whether the authority of
the Berlin government shall prevail
over the reactionary Bavarian admins
tration. From their stronghold at
Munich the extreme nationalists, mon
archists and reactionaries have been
hurting defiance at the republican gov
ernment at Berlin and the entire Ger
man democracy.
Erzberger's assassination, the politi-
cal turmoil which followed, the sup
preston of reactionary newspapers
and the prohibition of meetings aad
demonstrations have brought the whole
situation to o head to such an extent
that there is no way Of retreat left to
ment must either compel Bavaria to
submit to national authority or con-
cede defeat and inability to rule Ger
many.
Wirth's Position Firm
The whole question now revolvs.
around lifting the state of martial law
in Bavaria, which has involved Germany
in danger of civil war. DIR. Wirth
who is supported by a majority Of his
own party, all Socialists and Demo.
Gratis, has taken the bull by the horns
and stated his position SO clearly as to
leave no room for doubt. Addressing
the special emergency committee of the
Reichstag last week he said:
Should it come to conflict between
the reactionaries and the bourgeoisie
on the one side and the proletariat on
tho other, I'll take my side with the
proletariat."
The Chancellor follows this declara-
tion with a series of statements in
which he declares that the government
means business, is determined to re-
store a democratic civil rule through
out Germany and will not hesitate to
do everything necessary to bring this
about.
That DR.. Wirth is serious in his in
tention appears to be certain. "Vor-
waerts" prints warming to Bavaria" !"
in which this leading Socialist organ,
without going into details, asserts that
the Socialist trade unions already
have prepared definite plan to COM
pei Bavaria to submit should the meet
ing of the Bavarian Cabinet refuse to
comply with Wirth's demands.
Virtual Siege Planned
The Socialist trade unions, The Trib-
une learns, intend to isolate southern
Bavaria from the rest of Germany by
stopping trains bound to Bavaria, vir-
tually starting a siege by democracy
against the citadel of reaction. De-
mocracy is now distinctly in fighting
mood and is determined not to put up
with Munich's defiance any longer.
Indications. however, are that Munich
will yield. Without being dictatorial,
DR.. Wirth has been sufficiently firm be-
atives Of the Bavarian government
were present, to convince them that the
Bavarian government must retreat.
SO far as DR.. Wirth himself is con-
cerned, the solution OF the conflict in
wolves the future of his government,
for if he can give the Socialists VIC
tory he probably can win their support
for his taxation program when it is
presented to the Reichstag at it's con-
vocation at the end of this month. In
addition, it is believed, he can solidify
greatly the entire present government
and obtain the Socialists entrance
into the Prussian government to which
the Socialists have been bitterly op-
posed.
A victory for democracy in the con-
fict with Bavaria, leaders feel, will be
bound to have a favorable effect on the
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