Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-29
GERMANY DECLARED
IN STATE Of SIEGE
AS REVOLT LOOMS
Civil War Threatens Bavaria
When Leaders Split on Al
Iegiance to Reich and Ruhr
Peace Terms

BERLIN. Sept. 27.-The German
j.. federal government late today made
It's second move to offset Bavaria S
action in proclalming limited mar
tial law.
Following it's first move this
morning in declaring a nationwide
state of exception" the reich au'
thorities demanded that Bavaria
cancel her state of siege proclama,
ton on the ground that the federal
proclamation is sufficient to meet
any need of the state.
Acceptance of the central govern
ment's order presumably would
mean deposing the Bavarian dicta-
tor Won kahr.
There was every indication the
government is prepared to deal Sc
verely with any attempt at BaVz'
rian opposition to its action yester'
day in proclaiming the end of re
sistance in the Ruhr.
Defense Minister Gessler. undtt
President Ebert's proclamation, Is
given wide executive powers, beconr
ing virtually dictator of the German
> reich. Constitutional guarantees are
partly suspended.
The proclamation cancels tempo
rarily laws concerning the freedom
of speech and the press and Freedom
of assembly.
Existing laws against treason.
demonstration and activities dangcl-
Gus to the nation are stiffened.
The nation appeared facing dan
ger of early civil war as both Be-,
varia and the reich marshalled their
forces and prepared for action.
The Berlin cabinet, learning OF
Bavaria high-handed action in
making Won Kahn q virtual dicta
tor, assembled hastily at midnight
and quickly decided on the proclara
ton Of 'auSnahmA zus:and. OF
state of exception.
This proclamation clothes GessIer
with important executive powers.
DictatJriaI Power Given
While the defense minister Is not
actually named dictator. he has al
most dictatoriaI powers under terms
Of the proclamation. which temp0ra
riIy puts aside personal liberties, in
of opinion in the press, right to free
assembly and also places Il censor
like control on mails, telegra phs and
telephones.
The decree permits confisca tons,
house to house searches, and limits
property rights.
Gessler is permitted to delegate his
executive power to military COM
manders.
In cooperation with the ministec
OF interior he can recall civil admin
istrations, replacing them with gov
eminent commissars.
In order that the military may nof
assume super dictatorial powers, the
proclamation provides that any mil
itary orders must be submitted to
and approved by the civil commits
sars.
Any persons violating the military
rule or melting others to violation
of it, are subject 10 Imprisonment
with fines up to the eQHlvsl&nt OF
$4,000 for each offenSe.
II, because Of any viola zion of the
extraordinary state, any persons lose
their lives, the violators are subject
to death or imprisonment.
The decree also permits confisca-
tIon OF the property OF violators of
its provisions.
Existing laws against high trea-
son. arson, explosions, damaging rail
ways, violence in clashes, etc, are
sharpened so that the death penalty
can be exercised.
Special Courts Ordered
The decree provides for formation
of special courts for trial of persons
violating its provisions.
Up to late hour this morning the
government was without news indi
eating that Bavaria WAS undertake
. ing any actual coup against the
reich.
Berlin was quiet. q majority OF the
population not realizing that the linn
tied state of siege had heen declared
Some quarters regarded the ap.
Dointment of Won kahr and the sub
sequent proclamations in both Bava
ria and the reich. as merely precau-
tionary measures. although there
was no disposition To minimize the
danger that Bavaria may attempt to
carry out her separatist threats, or
even attempt a march on Berlin. tC
aVenge BF varian dissatisfaction at
abandonment OF resistance IN the
RHbr- ,
Munich advices. said Herr Hitler
leader Of the BaVarian fascist, haC
been recalled and had summoned al
the fatherland organization members
20 Join the storm sections" OF his
consolidated fascist groups.
Hitler also summoned horsemeI
and automobile owners to stanc
ready for duty.
cal Los
.ow. commander OF the BaVarIaf
section of the army, as his military
executive in the aBvarian state.
It is learned the appointment o.
Won kahr as Bavarian dictator was
made without consultation with tbs
reich's government. which official:
:, here considered a direct slap
President Ebert AND Chancellor
Stresemann.
Army in Command
Munich advices also emphasized
that Bavaria has no quarrel witt
the reich and maintained the appoint
ment of dictator was merely pre-
cautionary measure Gin view Of tbs
superheated passions in Bavari;
caused by abandonment Of resistance
IN the Ruhr."
One Of Gessler'a hrst actions wa
an order to subordinate the regula
green police" force 70 the arm,
command, Indicating that military
rule will be carried out by the arm,
rather than the police.
1t is understood the reichsweh'
tAoops have been thrown in a sor
Of semicircle around Berlin for US
in case Of outbreaks.
Green police forces were held II
their barracks ready for in7mediat
action.
The city OF Berlin was preparing
to station wartime field kitchen
throughout the city il coEnectio,
with the new rat'oning laws. and
incidentally, for assistance in even
a coup against the government IS a