The Washington herald., 1922-06-25
Liberals Fear Murder of
Rathenau Means Roy
alist Rising.
MANY SUSPECTS ARE
SEIZED IN DRAGNET
Reichstag in Uproar as
Attempt is Made to
Mob Helfferich.

BERLIN. June 24-Germany to-
night steeled herself for the shock
Of an expected monzrchist upris-
ing.
The country's greatest liberal
Walter Rathenau. lay dead. slain
by hired assassins. and leaders Of
the republic declared their BELIEF
that this was the opening shot Of
= pan-German "putsch-"
Troops and police were held in
readiness for the next move.
Martial law and q state Of siege
was proclaimed. following the mur-
der.
Rathenau. Germany's foreign
minister and foremost progressive.
was shot to death as he rode In a
carriage In the Grunewald. accom-
panied by his sister. Hand gren-
ades were hurled before the fatal
shots were fired. but Rathenau's
sister escaped injury.
Many Suspects Arrested.
Immediately following the assas-
sination there was an uproar IN
the Reichstag. and Herr Helfferich
was accused Of responsibility for
the dead. while flying squsdrons of
police swept the city in search of
Rathenau's assailants.
Fear that the attack upon the
foreign minister might be the open
ing shot Of q royslist uprising led
to extraordinary precautions. Many
suspects were arrested.
Liberal organizations throughout
Germany rose in a wave OF protest
when word Of Rathenau's death
spread Communists here demand
ed that workmen be armed. Ma
yority Socialists urged dissolution
Of the officers leagues and reorga-
nization Of the special police
Advocated Debt Payment.
Rathenau as a nnancier was ex-
celled in Germany. only by Hugo
inclined 70 side with reactionarfes
Rathensu. besides being a nnancier.
was the spokesman of a group OF
liberals who hoped for the future Of
the new Germany.
As foreign minister Rathenau
constantly reiterated that Germany
would get on her feet and take her
place among nations II given time.
AAC aNNNSdNt0 Nhc pay INK OF Ger
many's debts to France and the
allies. and for this was frequently
called a traitor.
Chancellor wirth depended great
ly upon Rsthenau. and was shocked
TO learn Of his death. The chan
cellor was quick to blame the
French, declaring French politics
was driving the German people 20
madness.
Leaders OF the 1ndependen: rartv
In the Reichstsg declared the as
sassinstion of the foreign minister
might be the signal for a country
wide revolt against the government.
This might come soon. he declared.
When Helfferich. former vice
chancellor. now accused Of siding
with reactionsries. entered the
] Reichstag for a memorial meetins
this afternoon. members Of parties
Of the left rushed upon him wildly.
screaming:
Murderer"
Attempt was made to throw Helf-
| ferich bodily from the Reichstag.
but pan-Germans came 20 his rescue
The uproar lasted for half an hour
Chancellor wirth took part in an
attempt TO separate the ccrnbatants.
without success. Herr Loebe. presi-
dent OF the chamber Joined IN.
Cabinet Menberr weep.
After order was restored. PresI-
dent Loebe delivered an euIogy Of
Rathenau.
When he mentioned the covardies
Of the sssassins there was a fress
uprosr. Socialists sprang to their
feet. pointing at Nationalist mem
oers and shouting:
| There they arer
Fresh tumuit broke out when Il
was noticed that some visitors "a
the tribute kept their seats dur
ing the ceremonies.
The Socialist leader, wsis. part al
ly restored order by proposinr
cheers for the republic. IN which
Liberals and Socialists Joined.
Eye-witnesses Of the assassins-
ton said the foreign minister ana
his sister were overt2ken IN their
car by an automobile, which sped
past them. Two men rose from IN.
passing machine and hurled gren
AIDES toward Rathenau's car. Then
they nred vo1leys from revolverx
many shots taking effect.
The cabinet adjourned cut OF re-
spect to Rathenau's memory. Sew