“ Elberfeld, May 8. After several posters appealing to the people to support the army 
reserve in their refusal of military duty, as well as a proclamation by the army reserve 
against the King* and Government, had been torn down by the police, the latter were 
attacked and forced to fasten the posters to the offices and doors while the people watched 
them. Towards the evening, as the crowds grew larger and larger, the rumour spread 
that troops were on their way. And so the army reserve took up arms and forced the 
burgomaster to accompany them to the railway station to try and persuade the regular 
troops to turn back. However, when they were passing the officers’ mess von Carnap 
took refuge in it and the people then demolished the building. Whilst the army 
reserve marched to the station to prevent the troops from entering the town, the 
armed forces appeared on the scene, causing confusion among the crowd and lashing 
out at them to such an extent that a number of casualties had to be carried away. 

“But the crowd gathered again and went to the town hall where the civic militia had 
in the meantime been mounted to defend the building. It contains a great deal of 
ammunition, and the demand was raised that this should be handed over. After this 
demand had been refused, an attempt was made to force an entry, but this was 
unsuccessful. A hail of stones had in the meantime smashed several window-panes. At 
8 o’clock this morning, the army reserve, fully armed, have taken up positions near 
Bottcher on Engelnberg where they await the arrival of the military. 

“Many proletarians armed with weapons have joined them, as well as army reserve units 
from other parts. The civic militia are equally active, but will not attack the army reserve and 
only control the crowd. If the military arrive and attack the army reserve, then alas! 
They will have to come in large numbers if they are to achieve anything.” D. Z.>° - 


(This morning artillery left Cologne at an early hour bound for 
Elberfeld, in order to riddle with grape-shot the honest workers of 
the Berg Country who are not willing to be used unlawfully as tools 
by a traitorous camarilla. We trust that the artillery will do its duty.)