The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-11-01
BERLIN FORMING
new REPUBLIC
stresemann Meets RhineIand
Chiefs in Effort to Stem Unrest
by Autonomy Within Reich.
MAY END MARTIAL LAW
PaIatinate Breaks With Bavaria,
Forming Separate state-Reae-
ton Apparent in Several Vii
lagos Separatists Hold.

.-Upholding the Central Gov
eminent in its controversy with Ba-
varia, the federal premiers in confer
enee here nevertheless demanded the
immediate termination of martial law
and the restoration of normal legal
procedure so as to avoid recurrence
of such disputes as that between Mu-
mich and Berlin, which has threatened
serious consequences.
The premiers also asked that nego-
tiations be started toward greater IN
dependence for the states comprising
the republic.
Chancellor Stresemann, who later
with several government officials went
to Hagen, Westphalia, to talk over
economic affairs with the Ruhr and
Rhineland leaders. informed the pre-
miers that the Central Government
was ready to discuss greater freedom
for the states and also to withdraw
the martial law decree as soon as
the situation would permit. A state
of civil emergency would be subst1-
tuted, he said
The situation in the Bavarian Palat-
mate is still confused. One dispatch
from Speyer says the provincial Diet
rejected a proposal for an autonomous
state. while the Ludwigshafen Post,
Socialist newspaper, says the radicals
have preserved the Palatinate's ALE
glance to the Reich by establishing an
independent state within Germany.
Other kilograms variously report an
independent Palatinate and plans to
organize "the Palatinate Republic
as a federal state Of the Reich"
In connection with Chancellor Strese-
mann's visit to Westphalia the Gov
ernment's plans to organize Rhine
land Ruhr directorate" are recalled.
This body, 1t is said, will be composed
of political, industrial. labor and finan-
cial leaders who, in the absence OF d.
rect relations with Paris and Brussels,
will serve as Intermediates between
Berlin and the occupation authorities
in adjusting local problems.
Duren.-The Separatists in Duren say
they have complete control Of this area
of the north Rhineland. More than
six hundred Of their men, they assert,
are stationed IN the Rathaus and other
public buildings here, which are being
administered by ex-army men.
Only officers are permitted to have
arms, the explanation being that they
are responsible for the public safety.
The police have been disarmed and
Separatists with green, white and red
armbands went about Duren unmo-
Tested.
Burgomaster Averhues refused to
surrender when the Republicans ar
rived and was taken from his house.
He is now a prisoner in the hands of
the Separatists.
The postal, telegraph, telephone and
other public services continued in OPP
Grafton, and the Separatists said there
would be no interference so long as
the respective departments continued
to function properly. Headquarters
have been established in the residence
of Theodore Klevinchaus, who with
Joseph Matthes is in Coblenz in the
interests of the republic.
Hugo Hector, in charge of the opera
tions here, made this statement:
1--WE want an independent Rhine
land absolutely free of the letters of
Berlin. The Rhineland is too impor-
tant industrially and otherwise to fol-
low Berlins course.
I'VE are willing to share our por-
ton of the burden of reparation and
propose to place the question in the
hands Of the League Of Nations to de-
termine what amount of reparation we
should pay. We stand for free Rhine
land as buffer state ID the interests
Of European peace"
Berlin.-It is reported from Essen
that the mine owners have resolved to
close all Rhenish Westphalian mines,
owing to the failure of negotiations
with the occupation authorities. This
has made it impossible to find money
for paying the wages of the miners.