The New York Times/1918/11/11/Berlin Troops Join Revolt
BERLIN TROOPS JOIN REVOLT
Reds Shell Building in Which Officers Vainly Resist.
THRONGS DEMAND REPUBLIC
Revolutionary Flag on Royal Palace—Crown Prince's Palace Also Seized.
GENERAL STRIKE IS BEGUN
Burgomaster and Police Submit—War Office Now Under Socialist Control.
LONDON, Nov. 10.—The greater part of Berlin is in control of revolutionists, the former Kaiser has fled to Holland, and Friedrich Ebert, the new Socialist Chancellor, has taken command of the situation. The revolt is spreading throughout Germany with great rapidity.
Dispatches received in London today announce these startling developments. The Workmen's and Soldiers' Council is now administering the municipal government of the German capital.
The War Ministry has submitted, and its acts are valid only when countersigned by a Socialist representative. The official Wolff telegraphic agency has been taken over by the Reds.
The red flag has been hoisted over the royal palace and the Brandenburg Gate. The former Crown Prince's palace is also in possession of the revolutionists.
There was severe fighting in Berlin between 8 and 10 o'clock last night and a violent cannonade was heard from the heart of the city.
Burgomaster and Police Join.
A Copenhagen dispatch states that Dr. Liebknecht, the famous Socialist, who spent many months in prison for antagonizing the German Imperial Government and who was recently released, has issued the following announcement in Berlin in behalf of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council:
"The Presidency of the police, as well as the Chief Command, is in our hands. Our comrades will be released."
A dispatch from Berne states that the Burgomaster of Berlin has placed himself and his staff at the disposal of the new Government.
Some German newspapers describe the movement as Bolshevism. The people are shouting "Long live the Republic!" and singing the "Marseillaise."
Officers Shelled by Reds.
When revolutionary soldiers attempted to enter a building in Berlin in which the supposed that a number of officers were concealed shots were fired from the windows. The Reds then began shelling the building. Many persons were killed and wounded before the officers surrendered.
When the cannonade began the people thought the reichsbank was being bombarded, and thousands rushed to the square in front of the Crown Price's palace. It was later determined that other buildings were under fire. Among those killed in the fighting at the "Cockchafer" Barracks was one of the workmen's leaders known as "Comrade" Habersroth.
The Reds, at last reports, were maintaining order.
Berlin was occupied by forces of the Soldiers' and Workmen's Councils on Saturday afternoon, according to a Wolff Bureau report received in Copenhagen. News of Emperor William's abdication was received in the city on that afternoon with general rejoicing, which was tempered by the fear that it had come too late.
Russians Aid in Outbreak.
How far the example of the Russian Bolsheviki influenced the German upheavel is an interesting question. Red flags figured frequently in the various risings and Chancellor Ebert's motor car floats the international emblem.
The shoulder straps were torn from the uniforms of officers in a number of German cities and even the soldiers' insignia were stripped from them. Russian prisoners played a part in the demonstrations in two or three towns.
Delegates of the revolutionary German navy arrived in Berlin on Friday, according to a dispatch from Copenhagen. They conferred for several hours with the Minister of Marine and with members of the Reichstag majority parties.
It is states that Hugo Hanse, a Socialist leader in the Reichstag, has the situation at Hamburg in hand.
It is officially announced from Berlin, according to a Copenhagen dispatch, that the War Ministry has placed itself at the disposal of Chancellor Ebert. This action was for the purpose of assuring the provisioning of the army and assisting in the solution of demobilization problems.
Serious food difficulties are expected in Germany, owing to the stoppage of trains. The Council of the Regency will take the most drastic steps to re-establish order.
In the new German Government there will be only three representatives of the majority parties, namely, Erzberger, Gothein, and Richthofen, says a dispatch from Copenhagen. The other posts will be occupied by Socialists and independents.
Reds Announce Success.
BERLIN, Nov. 9, (German Wireless to London, Nov. 10)—(Associated Press.)—The German People's Government has been instituted in the greater part of Berlin. The garrison has gone over to the Government.
The Workmen's and Soldiers' Council has declared a general strike. Troops and machine guns have been placed at the disposal of the Council. Guards which had been stationed at the public offices and other buildings have been withdrawn.
Friedrich Ebert (Vice President of the Social Democratic Party) is carrying on the Chancellorship.
The text of a statement issued by the People's Government reads:
In the course of the forenoon of Saturday the formation of a new German People's Government was initiated. The greater part of the Berlin garrison, and other troops stationed there temporarily, went over to the new Government.
The leaders of the deputations of the Social Democratic party declared that they would not shoot against the people. They said they would, in accordance with the People's Government, intercede in favor of the maintenance of order. Thereupon in the offices and public buildings the guards which had been stationed there were withdrawn.
The business of the Imperial Chancellor is being carried on by the Social Democratic Deputy, Herr Ebert.
It is presumed that, apart from the representatives of the recent majority group, three independent Social Democrats will enter the future Government.
Scheidemann Exhorts Calm.
Deputy Scheidemann, (leader of the majority Socialists in the Reichstag,) in a speech today, said:
"The Kaiser and the Crown Prince have abdicated. The dynasty has been overthrown. It is a splendid victory for the German people.
"Herr Ebert has been charged with the formation of a new Government in which all shades of the Social Democratic Party are to participate.
"Only decrees from the Government bearing the signature of Herr Ebert have validity. Only orders from the Minister for War bearing the counter signature of the Social Democrat acting as [his] assistant are official."
Deputy Scheidemann exhorted the crowd to keep calm and to avoid incidents.
Deputy von Tharr and some soldiers spoke from a motor lorry. A delegate from the Corps of Officers of the Guard Battalion announced that the officers were on the side of the people. Stormy applause and jubilation accompanied the speeches.
General Strike Proclaimed.
Vorwärts, the central organ of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, in an extra edition today published the following call for a general strike:
The Workmen's and Soldiers' Council of Berlin has decided upon a general strike. All the factories are at a standstill.
The necessary administration of the people will be maintained. A large part of the garrison has been closed and bodies of troops and machine guns have been placed at the disposal of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council.
The movement will be guided in common by the Social-Democratic Party of Germany and the independent Social-Democratic Party of Germany. The Workmen's and Soldiers' Council will take charge of the maintenance of quiet and order. Long live the social republic!
WORKMEN'S AND SOLDIERS' COUNCIL.
Tells of Army's Support.
With regard to the incidents of Nov. 9 in Berlin, the semi-official Telegraph Bureau, working under the control of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council, issues the following report:
"This morning at 9 o'clock the workmen of the greatest industrial undertakings commenced a general strike.
"Processions hastened from all the suburbs to the centre of the city. Red flags were carried at the head of the processions, in which marched armed soldiers and all classes.
"The first procession arrived from the Ackerstrasse and Brunnestrasse. As a preliminary the soldiers and officers were urged to remove their cockades and epaulets. In the majority of cases this took place voluntarily.
"There was a general fraternization of soldiers and workmen. The workmen penetrated the barracks, where they received an enthusiastic reception from the soldiers.
"The military occupants of factories mingled in common with the workers, left the works, and treated with them in common.
"So far as known the only clash between the masses and armed forces took place on the occupation of the so-called 'Cockchafer' barracks. In that was a guard of fusiliers, but only two officers fired. Three persons were killed and one was injured. This is to be regretted.
"The taking possession of a majority of the public buildings and establishments was completed without difficulty once it was clear that the military had gone over to the people."
BASLE, Nov. 10.—An official dispatch received by the Havas Agency from Berlin today says:
"Official. The revolution has resulted in a striking victory almost without the effusion of blood.
"A general strike was declared this morning. It brought a cessation of work in all workshops at about 10 o'clock.
"A regiment of Nurnberg Chasseurs passed over to the people. Other troops rapidly followed their action.
"The Alexander Regiment, after hearing a declaration by Deputy Wells, went over to the revolution."
Revolt "Won Brilliantly."
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 10.—A Berlin dispatch received in Amsterdam says:
"The revolution here has been won brilliantly. There has been an almost entire absence of bloodshed. Striked have resulted in a complete cessation of work. Various regiments have gone over to the Soldiers' and Workmen's organizations in quick succession. Apart from some insignificant cases of shooting, there has been complete quiet.
"Order prevails and the military patrols already have been withdrawn. Great jubilation and enthusiasm reign throughout the city."