Monarchy Men

One day in Halle (small town near Leipzig) some time ago, Communists smashed to pieces a monument to the famed Feldmarschall von Moltke. Ever since then Halle has been "the Reddest town in Germany."

Monarchists built a new monument and announced an imposing unveiling ceremony. Communists threatened violence; police threatened Communists and Monarchists; Monarchists went on making preparations.

One morning last week Halle awoke to find the streets thick with flags and steel helmets. Hundreds of Monarchists marched to strains of martial music. There were Prince Oskar, son of Kaiser "Bill," Generals Ludendorff, von Heeringen, von Francois, Hutier, Admiral Schroeder and many another Monarchy man.

Only 2,000 were allowed to goose-step into Halle for the unveiling ceremony; some 70,000 remained, outside the town and made a great noise from afar. It was the greatest monarchial demonstration seen in Germany since the War.

The Monarchists outside the town marched past Prince Oskar and General "Ludy." They wore high hats, frock coats, white ties, elegant boots. The sight of this motley crew goose-stepping in grand style made even German generals laugh.

At the other end of the town Communists staged a counterdemonstration. Trouble began to brew. Police threw a cordon around a parkful of Communists and.kept them there from dawn to dusk. Other Communists tried to enter the town and beat up the Monarchists. The police barred the way; a bloody clash occurred. Eleven people were killed, over 30 injured, more than 450 jailed.