The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1931-12-03

cries, WITHOUT ulQlSIlaClOT, re-
signed-a complaint, not an
accusation. They know that
those who can shoot no more
need not expect overmuch help.
They will go on to the Town
Hall and stand there a while:
some secretary or ether will
say something to them, then
they VIII break up. and return
Singly to their rooms, their
narrow dwellings, their pale
children and their awful mis-
cry, without much hope, pris-
oners of the destiny that others
made for them.
Turmoil Increases
The later it gets, the more
disturbed the city becomes. 1
60 with Albert through the
streets. Men are standing in
groups at every corner. Rumors
are flying. It is said that
the military have already fired
on a procession Of demonstrate
ing workers. ..'
From the neighborhood of
ST. Mary's Church comes sud-
denly the sound of rifle shots,
at first singly, then a whole
volley. Albert and I look at
each other; without a word
we set off in the direction Of
the shots.
Ever more and more people
come running toward us.
Bring rifles! They are shoot
ing!" they shout. We quicken
our pace. We wind in and
out of the groups, we shove our
way through. we are running
already-a grim, perilous ex-
element impels us forward.
We are gasping. The racket
of rifle fire increases. "Lud-
wig!" I shout.
He is running beside us. His
lips are pressed tight, the jaw
bones stand out, his eyes are
cold and tense; once more he
has the face of the trenches.
Albert too. I also. We run to-
ward the rifle shots, as if it
were some mysterious, impera"
tive summons.
The crowd, still shouting.
gives way before us. We plough
our way through. Women hold
their aprons over their faces
and go stumbling away. A roar
Of fury goes up. A wounded
man is being carried off.
We reach the Market Square.
There the Reichwehr has taken
up a position in front of the
town hall. The steel helmets
CLEAN palely. On the steps is
a machine gun ready for action.
The square is empty: only the
streets that lead into it are JAM
med with people. 1t would be
madness to go farther-the ma
chine gun is covering the
square.
But one man is going out. all
alone! Behind him the Seeth-
ing crowd surges on down the
conduits Of the streets; it boils
out about the houses and gath
ers together in black clots.
But the man is far in adj
vance. In the middle Of the
square he steps out from the
shadow thrown by the church
and stands in the moonlight.
Back" calls a clear, sharp
voice.
The man is lifting his hands
SO bright is the moonlight
that when he starts to speak his
teeth show white and cleaning
in the dark hole Of his mouth.
Comrades" All is silence.
The Passionate Plea
His voice is alone between the
church, the great block of the
town hall and the shadow. It Is
alone on the square, a fluttering
dove.
Comrades, put up your wea-
pons! Would you shoot at your
brothers? Put up your weapons
and come over to U.S."
Never was the moon so bright.
The uniforms on the town hall
steps are like chalk. The win
dows glisten. The moonlit half
Of the church tower is a mirror
of green silk. With cleaning he'll
NETS and viSors the stone knights
by the doorway spring forward
from the wall of shadow.
Back! Or we fire!" comes the
command, coldly.
looked around at Ludwig and
Albert. 1t was our company
commander! That was Heels
voice. A choking tension grips
me, as if I must now look at an
execution. Heel will fire-1
know.
The dark mass of people
moves within the shadow of the
houses: it sways and murmnrs.
An eternity goes by. Two SOL
diers with rifles /detach them
selves from the steps and make
toward the solitary man in the
midst of the square. It seems
endlessly long before they reach
him. as thoughthey marked time
in some gray morass, glittering,
tinselled rag pup p e is with
loaded, lowered rifles. The man
awaits them quietly. Com
rades-" he says again, as they
come up.
They grab him by the arms
and drag him forward. The
man does not defend himself.
They run him along so fast
that he StumhleS. Cries break