The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-10
POLICE BATTLE
REDS IN BERLIN
VOTE OUTBREAK
Three Are Known Dead
After Siege of Terror in
German Capital.
BY FREDERICK KUN.
United Press stan Correspondent

BERLIN, Aug. 1O.-Heavy police
patrols sought to maintain order to-
day after a night of terror in
which Communists and police bat
tied during riots in the streets Of
the capital.
The fighting broke out after re-
turns in the plebiscite for dissolu-
ton Of the Prussian diet showed
the voters had rejected the ex-
tremist political parties demands
for disarmament Of the diet
Casualties remained uncertain,
but 1t was known that two police
officers and at least one demonstra-
tor had been killed and fifteen 9TH
ers were in hospitals suffering from
severe wounds. A statement by the
PrussiG7 government that twelve
other Communists had been killed
was later corrected with an an
nouncement that the number Of
casualties was uncertain.
Raid Communist Meeting
The Communist battle broke out
IN Buelow Platz, after a day Of
comparative calm during which
voters went TO the polls in Prussia
and delivered an overwhelming de-
Seat to the Fascist, Communist and
Nationalist parties on the diet dis
solution plebiscite.
Trouble started when police raid
ed Communist meeting near Bue-
low Platz in the evening and Com
munists fired on them from dark
ened houses. The rioting rapidly
developed into organized street
fighting.
The police replied to the Com
rn..niEt rife fire The battle at first
we-.. .ssainst them Reinforcements
were rushed to the battle area; bar
RACES we're laid down around houses
whence Communist fire had come.
The shooting began at $50 p. m.
1t continued sporadically until after
midnight with occasional bursts of
furious fighting, police reserves
gradually gained control of the sit
uation and the district became quiet
before morning.
Red Shippers Fire
A reward of 5000 marks (about
$3.50 was offered by Police Chief
Graszinski for apprehension of the
men who killed the two police CAP
tains.
Police in trucks, supported by
armored cars, rumbled through the
streets. They fired frequently into
windows or at objects on roofs
where Communist snipers had been
hidden. The street in front of the
communist headquarters was crowd
ed with police, many armed with
rifles.
The police raid on communist
meeting in a music hall near Bue-
low Platz started the disorders.
About 1000 Communists were forced
to raise their hands above their
heads and march to police head
quarters, where they were searched
for arms. A minor fist fight started
and was rapidly followed by an out
break Of gunflre.
RACES for Hours
The streets cleared in an instant.
People Historically dashed for shell
ter. Communists dashed into houses
around the Buelow Platz, which
they barricaded and opened fire on
the police. The battle ragged for
hours unchecked. Reviewers and
rifles were used by both sides. The
Communists carried their wounded
away as rapidly as possible.
Final returns in the unsu- cessful
plebiscite for dissolution Of the
Prussian diet were: In favor of dis
solution, 9,793 1923; against, 362685.
The number of votes required to
force dissolution was 13,449 500. The
comparatively small number OF
voters oposing dissolution was ex-
planned by the fact that the major
ity Of those against it simply did not
vote rather than trouble to go to the
polls. Their boycott was just as ef-
fective as vote.