Evening star., 1923-10-22
REVOLT Is BLooDLESs.
Separatists Move to Other Towns
After Aix-la-chappelle, Coup.
m the Assnclr ted press

AIX-LA-CHAPELL Prussia. oc-
tober 22.-The separatists. led by Leo
Deckers and DR.. Guthardt. proclaimed
Rhineland republic here yesterday.
although the separatists took posses
sion of the city hall and various
public buildings and control OF the
police services. The regular police
finally ranged themselves on the sioe
OF the republic.
Having experienced no opposition
here, the separatist leaders decided
to proceed with the taking over OF
other towns. leaving Aix-la -Chapeile
watch that the police kept their
promise to support the republic.
AS an additional precaution, how
ever. the police. who were allowed 10
retain their arms upon promising al
day. were disarmed yesterday put
were allowed to remain on duty.
Move on Other Towns.
Separatist night riders left aboard
a fleet of touring cars and trucks for
Munchen -Gladbach. After proclaim
ing a. republic there they were to
con tinue on to Crefeld and Bonn, and
then go farther up to unfurl their
nag at Coblenz. Mayence and other
cities.
Two proclamations were placarded-
The first Of these said:
ITO the people Of the Rhineiana:
The hour Of liberty has struck Ber,
lin has plunged us In distress ana
misery. We come to our own assist
ance.
I'VE proclaim today a Rhineland
republic. Free and independent, we
wish to live in peace and friendship
with our neighbors and to work In an
effective manner with them for the
reconstruction of Europe.
'Workers, every man to his post
Immediate care Will be taken 10 as
sure peace, work and bread
"(Signed) .,-,,-,,r,>-r,
Leo Deckers and DR.. Guthardt.
Issue Second Proclamation.
The second proclamation read as
aThe Rhineland republic is An ac-
complished fact: Any resistance VII,
be crushed pit!lessly. Pillagers ana
disturbers of public order VIII De
punished with the severest OF pen
alties.
1--WE shall apply all our care to the
question Of food supply and work ana
will preserve order and peace.
This proclamation was signed In
the same way as the first.
Deckers informed the Associated
Press correspondent that he planned
to have all the cities in the French
and Belgian areas, plus Elberfeld and
Rarmen in the unoccupied territory,
in the hands of the republicans with
From today" he said German pa
per marks will be considered foreign
money. We plan within the next few
days to issue a new currency, to be
called the Rhenfsh 1anc. on par
with the French gold franc and Sc
cured by mortgages on all pubic
buildings occupied, at least until we
can establish a permanent gold re-
serve"
Deckers said that the new francs
would probably be printed in Brus-
sells or Paris. Asked about Cologne,
he said he advised a delegation from
Cologne to do nothing yet. but TO
walt and see how things went in the
French and Belgian areas. After the
republic began functioning normally
he expected ALI the towns in the
British zone would apply for admis-
Deckers declared that he had no
thought of stealing a march on Jo-
soph Matthes in order to get glory
for himself. They all had the same
aims. he explained; and personally
without delay. He declared that he
had worked for a republic as the
only thing that could create stable
conditions for his business.
Speaking Of future plans, the
time being a local executive council
would administer government affairs
In each town occupied. It was rec
ognized that the leaders would as
sumo a sort of dictaterial position.
but as soon as the machinery of the
government was oiled free elections
no doubt would be held for president
and other officials. The government
system would be modelled somewhat
along American lines.
separatist for Years.
Leo Deckers is native of Aix-la-
Chapelle. about sixty years of age.
He is a prosperous cloth and chemi-
cal manufacturer and has been as
sociated with the "separatfst move