20 MARCH 1920, Page 1

The counter-revolution began last Saturday in Berlin. Dr. Kapp, a

well-known Pan-German, and General Lfittwitz, a commander of the " Defence Force," had demanded a change of Ministry. The Coalition Government refused to resign, and ordered the arrest of Dr. Kapp and other conspirators. General Liittwitz then marched upon Berlin with the so-called Baltic troops and Naval Brigade, who had been quartered at Doberitz since they were constrained to evacuate Courland. The Berlin garrison joined the insurgents. The President and Ministers fled to Dresden, and thence to Stuttgart. Herr Noske depre- cated armed resistance, but, in common with his colleagues, urged the working classes to declare a general strike against the reactionaries. Dr. Kapp proclaimed himself Imperial Chan- cellor and Prussian Premier, and issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly. On Monday he caused it to be announced that the lawful Government had made a compromise with him. This proved to be false. President Ebert and his Ministers refused to deal with Dr. Kapp, and appealed for popular support against the Junkers. The rival parties came to blows in many towns. Hamburg and the West and South of Germany appeared to side with the Government, while Brandenburg and East Prussia favoured Dr. Kapp.