November 20th

An interesting if somewhat belated dispatch came today from the Colonel’s mysterious spy; he gives a vivid description of the German collapse. Evidently he was an eyewitness of many of the amazing incidents in Kiel as well as in Berlin. Apparently on October 29th, the very day on which the members of the Supreme War Council were gathered together chez House, listening to the Armistice terms which the Germans might and in the judgment of Marshal Foch should have, in case they asked for them, a desperate move was planned in Berlin. The German High Sea Fleet, so long waterlogged in Kiel Harbor and in the Canal, was ordered to put to sea or rather ordered to prepare for this venture. It was announced that Prince Henry would be in command, but he never put in an appearance and, in view of what later happened, this was fortunate for him.

On the morning of the thirty-first the battleships Markgraf and the Kaiser were getting up steam and preparing to weigh anchor in obedience to these orders when suddenly the men mutinied, took possession of the ships, and placed their officers, not in the brig, but in locked cabins. Half a dozen of the officers who resisted were killed, but as our informant admits no precise figures as to the casualties are available. The mutiny spread to the naval base and to the town; the soldiers and the sailors fraternized and elected workers’ councils after the Russians’ model. He reports that the mutineers have appointed a commission to go to Russia for the purpose of entering into close relations with Lenin.

As soon as this news reached Berlin disturbances broke out all over the city and the workers from the Moabit quarter took over the police stations. At the War Ministry it was decided to send out two regiments, who were considered to be still reliable, to disperse the mob and arrest the ringleaders whoever they might be, but the soldiers threw their weapons into the Spree and joined in what was now evidently a revolutionary movement. He adds, “There is still desultory firing in some districts, but the workers are everywhere gaining control. Karl Liebknecht has unfurled the red flag from the tallest tower of the palace where only a few hours ago the last German Emperor, and King of Prussia, held court!”

The Colonel is greatly impressed with this startling news although not all the details are as yet confirmed. But evidently he would prefer that the uprising should go no farther. “If all this is true,” he remarked, “the Government with which we have entered upon an armistice would seem to have been overthrown and we can’t tell with whom we can negotiate peace. It is to be hoped that now the revolution has accomplished its purpose the situation will be stabilized. What an inglorious end this is for the German Navy—incredible,” was his comment.