The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1922-06-30
ASSASSINATION OF
RATH ENAu EXC|TEs
Germans Fear Revolt to Restore
the Kaiser's Regime.
MARTIAL LAW is DECLARED
State of Siege Follows Tragic End of
Statesman - Free-for-All Fight
RACES in Reichstas When
Announcement Is Made

Berlin, June 26.-Martial law and
state of siege were proclaimed in Ber-
lin following the assassination of DR..
Walter Rathenau, the German for
eign minister and foremost figure in
Germanys reconstruction. A mon
archist coup to restore former Kaiser
Wilhelm is feared.
The murderers, who were waiting
for Doctor Rathenau at his door, fol-
lowed his automobile in another
motor. AS the foreign minister's car
was passing crossing they fred eight
revolver shots and hurled q hand
grenade at their victim. Doctor
Rathenau was instantly killed.
The asasssins, of whom it is stated
there were three, escaped in their au-
tOmobile.
Ready for General Strike.
The report of the crime spread rap
idly throughout Berlin, causing a gen.
eral uproar. Crowds gathered in the
streets, discussing the necessity of a
general strike which is being pre-
pared by the labor unions to destroy
the force of the expected reactionary
revolt.
All the roads to Berlin are being
guarded by strong detachments of 20.
lice, who are controlling train and au-
tomobile traffic to prevent demonstra-
tors from marching on the capital.
A feeling OF anxiety as to 'who is
next" pervadeS the city. All recall
with dread a recent prophecy of the
Freiheit and other socialist newspa-
peers that new st. Bartholomew
eve, with a general slaughtering of
the leading men of the new German
republic, was scheduled for the end Of
this week
Fist Fight in Reichstag.
When the assassination was an
nounced the reichstag members adher-
ing to the left turned on the nation
aliSts, yelling: you are the spiritual
murderers.'
A free-for-all fight ensued, in which
General Schoch. member of the
German peoples party, and Karl
Helfferich were badly mauled The
reichstag adjourned until afternoon,
the socialists claiming that they will
not Let the nationalists hold their big
meeting which was announced.
4 Numerous Bavarian hotheads have,
been in Berlin lately. The police have
information that members of the asso-
citation which murdered DR.. Matthias
ErZberger are here, as we'll as Herr
Escherich, organizer of the home
guard, which was officially dissolved
by the allies, and Gen. Won der Tam.
With Rallies Aids.
Berlin, June 26.-Chancellor Wirth's
government is marshalling the nations
liberal element to the defense Of the
young German republic, and organ
lied labor. represented in both So
cialist parties, is again first to buckle
ON the armOr, just as it did during the
Kapp revolt. Announcement is made
that the government will establish ex-
traordinary courts for the trial of ma
tionalist plotters suspected OF killing
DR.. Walter Rathenau and that state
of emergency for Prussia will be pro-
claimed
All regimental reunions and mill
taristic demonstrations are to be pro-
hibited. Yet, despite vociferous cries
of Long live the republic" which
resOunded through the reichstag cham
Der at the close of memorial session
to Doctor Rathenau, thoughtful men
of all. ranks and parties we're silent
ly but gravely apprehensive for the
nation.