A Red Ruhr

In the Ruhr district, miners struck for a shorter day and more pay. Other strikes were reported from Saxony and Silesia. Berlin Bolsheviks urged the metal workers and railwaymen to join their Red brethren. Die Rote Fahne (The Red Flag), Berlin Communist journal, proclaimed a new wave of struggle against the hated capitalist system.

The sudden increase in Red energy was said to be by way of celebrating Communist gains in the recent election (TIME, May 12). The Ruhr strike was embarrassing to the German Government, because the industrialists were prevented from making coal shipments to France. It was feared that the French Government would immediately begin to exert pressure. As far as the Ruhr is concerned the French Army can enforce law and order, but Red riots in other parts of Germany were causing serious apprehension.

This Communist activity was said to be financed from Russia and evidence to this effect was reputed to be in the hands of the Government.