Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-11-08
ARMISTICE FINDS GERMAN
REPUBLIC IN NEW CRISIS

public in the throes of an nation.
wide political ,mic, and social
crisis, the outco' which may be
determined thro uch minor fac
tols AS the risin, :alling prices OF
bread, potatoes coal.
1t may also innate in the sud-
den proclamation of national dicta-
torship, the demand for which is
gaining perceptible momentum
among all classes of the people who
apparently are willing obarter their
political liberty for even a hazy pros
pect of amelioration of their social
condition. Germany tonight out
wardly suggests loosely federated
pseudo republic without such ele-
mentary prerequisites as a national
currency or safely anchored con-
stitutional government supported by
a representative parliament.
Into this situation President Ebert
and Chancellor Stresseman tonight
projected an appeal to the nation in
which they affirm their determina-
tion to defend the republic and its
constitution against all attacks from
within and Summons the citizens to
come to their aid. In part the
proclamation says:
'In this very serious time Ger
many is threatene with internal con-
vulsions. Certain sections of the com
munity, although numerically not
strong, are relying on the distress of
the people to attempt ~ exercise il
legal pressure on the government and
to throw the torch Of international
warfare among the people"
After declaring the governments
determination to repeal such at
tempts, the proclamation continues: !:
''The maintenance of the unity of
the reisch and law and order in the
interior are necessary prerequisites
for overcoming the present distress
resulting from unemployment, serious
economic conditions, and unparallel-
ed political pressure"
In the way of warning the procla-
nation says:
"Those nations and sesding person.
ages who are aware of Germany's in
tolerable distress and who desire to
help Germany should not despair of
the German people. The German gov
ernment possesses the necessary
Astrength to deal with and protect the
constitution of the reisch. The police
loyal, to their oath, will do their
duty. The government firmly belize
yes that if against it's will, it is for
ced to fight the whole German people
will stand behind it in defense of or
der and freedom"
The governments pronouncement
finds the bake shops of greater Ber-
lin shut down, market stalls locked
mp, and long rows of shops in the
eastern section of the city disfigured
by broken windows, with shelves and
counters looted.
Berlin is virtually in the grip of a
hunger blockade, as agrarian pro
ducers within a radius of $50 miles
continue their refusal to deliver their
products in exchange for paper
marks. This is one aspect Of the
situation which suggests to the mass
of the people a dictator that rul-
ed with mailed fist would promptly
coax forth flour, potatoes and such
necessaries through the preliminary
punishment of food profiteers and
agricultural magnates. Yet the grow
ing clamor for a dictator has failed
thus far to mention one man, what
ever his political antecedents, who
would fit into the situation and even
the nationalists, who are loudest in
their demands for an iron rule, ad-
vocat ca government composed OF a
limited directorate.
The chancellor tonight received a
telegraphic appeal from the executive
committee of the national league OF
front soldiers ,popularly known as
the "Steel Helmets" requesting the
immediate installing of dictatorship
free of partisan parliamentary in
fuence and suggesting that he make
immediate use of the prerogatives &C
corded him, before other elements a:
sumo the leadership.
The chancellor informed the con
ference of the German peoples party
today that he did not propose to re
tire fron hi spo5t in the pre- 'ent in
ternai and foreign situation but HI
intended to fill the gaps in his RUM
parliament with men possessed O
patriotic sentiment. He informed hi
party colleagues that he would no
invite German nationalists into hi