Militant Demonstration at Halle by Ludendorff-Hitler Group Quiet on Whole.
BOTH GROUPS TEMPERATE
25,000 Troops Take Part in Von Moltke Statue Unveiling.
By the Associated Press.
BERLIN, May 12.—The police report that eleven communists were killed and a number of others were wounded yesterday at Boelleberg, near Halle.
By the Associated Press.
HALLE. Germany. May 11.—“ Red Halle.” nominally the citadel of German communism and the incubator of communistic insurrection, was yesterday invaded by a German Fascist army led by Gen. Ludendorff and a score of ex-army and navy leaders, behind whom trailed 25,000 Swastika knights and troopers, of whom the heaviest contingent hailed from Bavaria.
While the gathering of the nationalistic clans was ostensibly devoted to unveiling the restored monument to von Moltke. which was overthrown during communistic riots, the muster of German chauvinists was primarily intended to remind political opponents throughout Germany of the nationalistic renaissance, the fruits of which were reflected in last Sunday’s Reichstag elections. Not since the world war has Germany witnessed an equally resplendent gathering of generals, admirals and militant nationalists under the old monarchical colors.
Prince Oscar Attends.
The house of Hohenzollern was represented by Prince Oscar, who was the counterpiece of a bevy of generals and admirals, the generals including Ludendorff, von Stein, von Herrigen, von Francois Wristberg, von Below, Hutier, von Mudra, Maercker and Lettow-Vorbeck, and the admirals included von Soheer, Schroedtr, Meyer-Waldeek and Count Luckner, who commanded the raider Sea Eagle. Among 150 guests of honor were well known submarine commanders and nationalistic politicians.
The nationals were given an eleventh hour tip by Dr. Hergt, chairman of the German Nationalist party, in the nature of a suggestion that “all needless provocation be avoided,” and, as the Socialist party leaders had also instructed their following to keep out of sight, the unveiling ceremonies, which occupied about an hour, passed off without interruption, barring vocal clashes between communists and the younger fascisti.
Police Use Firearms.
The only disturbance reported up to 3 o’clock occurred in the outskirts of the city, where police patrols, engaged in dispersing communistic units, were forced to use their firearms.
Halle was completely submerged under a sea of black, white and red hunting. The more timorous residents ventured forth with the Prussian colors, byway of a compromise, but the black, red and orange flag of the republic was nowhere visible. Hitler guards, though, predominated, and were armed with heavy walking sticks and were distinguished by white brassards.
In the clash on the outskirts of Halle which occurred when a squad of green police was engaged in dispersing groups of communists, snipers fired on the police, killing one and seriously wounding five. The casualties among the communists are thought to have been heavy, and in a house search the police arrested numerous reds.
Review Undisturbed.
The review of the fascisti and student organizations by Gen. Ludendorff at the race track proceeded without disturbance in the presence of 150,000 spectators.
The newly erected monument is the gift of the nationalistic societies to “All citizens who place the glory and honor of Germany, the fatherland, and its proud past above all other things.”
Lieut. Col. von Deuterberg. who made the presentation speech, said; “Neither the conscience of the world, the league of nations nor the second or third Internationale saw fit to prevent the enslavement and disfranchisement of Germany, despite the solemn promises made to us. We need no revanche. We Germans have victoriously stood off the world foes on all battlefields.”
The church bells were tolled and fifty bands played as the monument was unveiled. Afterward the Fascist Guards and other marching organizations filed past Prince Oscar. Gen. Ludendorff and a galaxy of officials and marched to the railroad track on the outskirts of the city.
Field Marshal von Hindenburg and Admiral von Tirpitz were not present. Field Marshal Mackensen was prevented from attending through an accident occasioned by a fall from his horse on his Pomeranian estate.
The Evening Star, Washington, DC, May 12, 1924