Police Impose "State of Emergency" in City Core

Despite the fact that Berlin was quiet this evening, with few people out on the streets, the Police have announced that they have imposed a "state of emergency" as of 17:30 local time this Saturday evening. "Due to rumors of May 1st riots in Berlin there is now a State of Emergency in the Berlin Mitte neighborhood. Anyone in the city wearing red flags, gathering in groups of more than 3 people, not stopping at manned checkpoints, harassing the police or not directly following their orders risks being arrested." Police had begun erecting barricades and checkpoints on the streets feeding the Unter den Linden about an hour before the announcement, and no mention was made as to how long the declaration would remain in effect.

For most of the day, people gathered in public houses and cafes to discuss how best to prepare for an uncertain tomorrow. At worst, confrontations between the KPD, NSDAP and Police could fill the streets with violence and cause damage, injury and even death to an unknown degree. At best, rumors of a negotiated agreement between the KPD and Police to allow indoor gatherings and demonstrations to proceed unhindered could prove true and the day could pass in relative peace. As residents hoped for the best, they seemed to be preparing for the worst.

Many made plans to remain home or in their places of business through the day tomorrow, or to watch events unfold from rooftop vantage points. Some seemed to be looking forward to Sunday as if it were a spectacle promised and staged for their own entertainment. But most seemed resigned to some minor inconvenience and intended to go about their day and their business more-or-less as normal. With Voltaire Vanguard in prison, there seems to be some confusion within the KPD and no one was available to comment on the situation as of the time of this edition. A Police spokesman advised people to simply "stay indoors", and this is probably good advice, at least until it becomes clear how the situation will unfold.

Yesterday following a philosophical and political argument between KPD members and Father Cuthbert Hellendale, his residence next to the Magelenenkirche was struck by bricks and left with KPD posters on the walls. This is the only violence reported thus far. When asked for comment, Father Hellendale said, "Do not be cowed by the Communists. I have reason to believe that one or two communists will try to attack the church." He added that Sunday services would be held at 13:00 as usual regardless of events..

Police Clarify Position on Demonstrations

Berlin Police Headquarters released the following statement today to explain and clarify their position on public demonstrations approaching May 1st.
 
"Berlin, 28 April 1929
 
We expect the people of Berlin to respect the law. If they decide to demonstrate anyway they can expect to be treated as trouble makers and criminals. Certain elements in this city have announced that they will demonstrate anyway. The police have received reinforcements and will accept no disobedience; civilians will follow all orders given by the police or will have to deal with the consequences.
  
All parties have permission to gather and have their May First celebrations, as long as they are not held not outdoors. There is no reason to go out on the streets in groups unless the motive is to cause trouble and bring even more tension to our city.
  
Polizeipräsident Karl Friedrich Zörgiebel"
 
 
When asked to comment upon Police preparations for Sunday, Oberwachtmeister Danitz issued the following response.
 
"Our statement is that we will uphold the law. Since 1924 public demonstrations have been forbidden. There have no problems with this for the last 5 years. About six months ago a political gathering by the NSDAP ended in street fighting and several people died. After these horrible days our respected Polizeipräsident Karl Friedrich Zörgiebel made it clear that from 13 December 1928 onwards political gatherings in the open air would not be allowed. This decision has received massive support from the people in Berlin who generally are sick and tired of the many skirmishes in their city. This temporary law was created for the protection of the public and to keep peace."

On the Accountability of Authority

 - Katyana Jaidov
   
Authority, and its proper delegation, is a fundamental requirement of a civilized society. Without it, anarchy reins. And while it is certainly possible to envision an anarchistic society, it is impossible to imagine one in which philosophy, science, engineering and industry can flourish and advance. Conceding that there are those who think that this would not be a bad thing, the rest of us who value civilization must come to terms with authority, its purposes and dangers.
  

The purpose of authority, at least in the political sense to which we refer here, is to enforce those laws and rules of behavior which a people, in forming a society, deem just and necessary. "That government is best which governs least," said American political theorist and President Thomas Jefferson. But that government which governs not at all cannot long exist. So there is a balance that must be struck. Too much power and authority in the hands of governments and their agents and we have Fascism, where people exist to serve the State. Too little and we have Anarchy, where orderly progress and prosperity cannot be sustained and life becomes tribal.. In between we have a wide range of possibilities.
   

“All authority belongs to the people," Jefferson also said. But people have lives to live, and the daily tasks and responsibilities of which living is comprised to attend to. And so they delegate authority to governments, that it might act on their behalf and in accordance with their wishes. The problem arises when the perception becomes reversed. When people stop seeing government as their servant and begin, in the name of order, security, laziness or any of the countless uncertainties and fears with which the world brims, to see government as their savior, benefactor, guarantor and, ultimately, beneficent master. "Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people," Jefferson wisely advised.
   

As one example of what this means to us, Berliners, we need look no farther than the behavior of the Municipal Police. Let us be clear. The Police have an important and difficult job to do. And most times they do it professionally and well. Without them we would all suffer. But we also suffer from the near total lack of accountability of the Police force to the citizens of the City they are intended to protect. Too often the Police manufacture "laws" that do not exist. Cite charges that are spurious and would never stand the light of trail. The notorious Roberts case comes to mind, where the charges were so false, and the actions of the Police so indefensible, that neither the prosecutor nor the Police even showed up to defend the actions in open court. “He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak,” the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne has said. Too often the Police do as they please simply because they please. And because they are never held accountable for their errors. How does one justify shooting a prisoner in a police cell simply because those same police were too incompetent to effectively search the prisoner for a weapon before jailing him? When they are never held accountable for their actions, no justification is needed.
   

Ultimately, however, the Police are not to blame for this. All human beings, placed in potions of power, become abusers of that power if left unconstrained and unaccountable. Another American, the great scientist, diplomat and politician Benjamin Franklin, famously warned, "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom in exchange for a little security deserve neither and will lose both." If we want our government to serve us well, fairly and competently, then we much each hold those in power accountable for their actions (or lack of them). Vote, every time. Know the law, and expect it to be followed. Even by those who are entrusted to enforce it. Especially by them. Stand up for your rights, and the rights of others. Go to court. Speak up and speak out, without empty slogans or violence. And do it now, while you are still able.
   

"Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority." - Francis Bacon

Clarrington's Delivers an Egg-ceptional Egg-sperience

For four hours this afternoon the normally open and empty football field by the Sportshalle on Schlossplatz became a confusing maze littered with prize-holding Easter Eggs. Those who made it in and out of the hedged passageways were treated to tea and treats, including a sweet, fruity "flavored goo" called "Jell-o".

Salmon pinwheels, deviled eggs, fruity Jell-o and Clarrington's
signature croissants filled the buffet table.

The transformation was brought about entirely through the efforts, and at the expense, of Berlin's tireless promoter and talented baker Morganic Clarrington. Laboring through the night, Clarrington constructed a challenging maze of tall hedges and hid within it colorful eggs containing prizes ranging from a souvenir statuette of Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess, to a gorgeous reproduction of a Czarist Faberge Easter egg. Anyone braving the maze was invited to keep anything they found.

Upon emerging, guests were treated to an open buffet stocked with treats from Berlin's finest bakery, hot tea and cold cocktails and champagne. An informal "silly hat" contest was staged, and by popular acclamation businesswoman Mable Ann Ashdene was declared the owner of "The Silliest Hat in Berlin" for her bird's nest and eggs. In appreciation of the solemn honor of the award, Ashdene promised to wear her award winning coif to Easter services tomorrow.

Berliners enjoy a spectacular spring afternoon outside the
Easter Maze constructed by Herr Clarrington.

An egg-ceptional egg-sperience was enjoyed by the large crowd of Berliners who were able to attend the eggs-hibit. It was generally agreed that the entire egg-sperience went over easy and that the sunny side up day made it an egg-celent way to spend the afternoon. A more egg-stensive egg-sample of civic egg-certion and egg-haustive attention to detail, or a more egg-spansive egg-sample of egg-sotic foods and egg-stravagant and egg-strodinary entertainment would be impossible to find.

As the sun set Petrus Endsleigh and Jo Yardly annoyed the neighbors with impromptu musical performances on guitar, clarinet and more. The BAZ congratulates Herr Clarrington on the success of his event, and thanks him for his many egg-zertions to make Berlin a better place for all.

Police Move Quickly to Qwell KPD Protest; Prisoner Shot in Cell

The protest organized by the KPD to express their displeasure over the City's denial of a May 1st demonstration permit was a non-event, with only a few KPD members showing up outside Party Headquarters on Steinpfort Strasse to chant slogans and taunt the police. Police, who were on the scene within minutes, demanded the protesters disband in accord with the City's newly enforced ban on public gatherings. When protesters refused to disperse police made three arrests for "political agitation" and the demonstration came to a rapid conclusion. Those arrested were identified as KPD members VoltaireVanguard, Haru Menna and Elis Felicci.

Upon conveyance of the prisoners to Police Headquarters on Dorotheen Strasse, VoltaireVanguard, a prominent official in the local KPD, was shot in his cell by Police Oberwachtmeister Danitz. The shooting occurred at approximately 15:30SLT and within 2 minutes an officer was dispatched to the hospital to seek a medical doctor, but none was immediately available.

According to police, the prisoner drew a weapon in the cell and ObW Dantiz fired in response. Fellow prisoner Felicci disputed the police version of events, claiming that Vanguard had no weapon. "I saw everything," said Felicci, who was quickly released after payment of a fine. "It was officer Piden. He [Vanguard] didn't have a gun. They [the police] planted the gun." Officer Pinden stated unequivocally that the shot had been fired by ObW Dantiz, who corroborated this account.

At this time, about 10 minutes after the shooting, prisoner Haru Menna claimed to have some training in First Aid and asked to be allowed into the cell with the wounded and heavily bleeding Vanguard. Police agreed, but as Menna was being searched at about 15:45, a small explosive device was detonated filling the cell level with thick smoke. Police evacuated the cell area, leaving the two prisoners there. "I shut her down there," Officer Pinder reported. The Officer in Charge, Danitz, responded, "Let them choke on their own smoke. We need to get us some teargas. I cant wait till they send us our new rifles." Officer Pinder laughed at this, and ObW Danitz added, "The next person we arrest, we just throw down the stairs."

The police then began negotiating with Menna, offering to open the door to the smoke filled cell area only if she would handcuff herself first. At 16:08, a third attempt was made to locate a doctor and one finally arrived at 16:17, nearly 50 minutes after the shooting. At that time, ObW Dantiz told the doctor that he was not required, and that they had decided to transport the victim to the hospital using the police truck that had been sitting outside the building the entire time. Transport finally occurred at 16:27, nearly an hour after the shooting.

Haru Menna subsequently denied exploding the smoke bomb, claiming instead that Officer Pinder had accidentally dropped and detonated it while searching her. She did not deny carrying it into the police building, where she was further detained on unspecified charges.

City Errs in Banning KPD March

The City of Berlin's decision to ban the KPD from holding its long planned May 1st march and rally will prove to be a foolish and unnecessary mistake. By refusing to let the demonstration go forward, the City has converted what would have been a sparsely attended non-event into a major cause celebre.  The "support" enjoyed by the KPD is small and largely a fantasy of their deluded leadership. The march would have been insignificantly small and attended only by a small number of KPD members and a few curious onlookers.

Instead, the City has handed the KPD what they most crave, attention. By forbidding their parade, the City has converted them from a brief traffic problem into political victims. This is precisely what they want, and the City could not have better played directly into their plans and hands. Now they can act the oppressed and disenfranchised champions of the people, so effective and correct in their absurd politics that the City, out of fear, forbids them from public assembly. In the end, this will all result in far more violence and upheaval than simply allowing the march to proceed would ever have done. Both sides are arming themselves with military grade rifles and explosives, and daring each other to shoot first. In banning the parade, the City has simply created a huge powder keg. Now it is only a question of who will throw the match.

What should have been done? The demonstration and rally ought to have been permitted to go forward. It ought to have been held in a large, open space with controlled and limited access.... Alexanderplatz perhaps, or the football stadium. The police should have tightly controlled the access points, subjecting everyone who entered to a search. This would have removed from the KPD the one thing they most want from all of this.... to be seen a righteous and oppressed victims.

May 1st is still almost 2 weeks away. If the City does not wish to bear the responsibility of two weeks of senseless violence in the streets, there is still time to correct its badly flawed decision.

KPD to Protest Permit Denial

Reliable sources within the German Communist Party (KPD) confirmed plans for a public protest tomorrow of the City of Berlin's denial of a permit to hold a long anticipated march and rally on May 1st. The City cited its concerns over possible security problems and the potential for violence between the KPD and their NSDAP rivals as the reason for declining to issue the permit.

Party officials were unavailable for comment late this evening on either the permit denial or the planned demonstration, and the exact location of the protest could not be confirmed. KPD headquarters is located at the east end of Steinpfort Strasse. The demonstration is expected to begin at about 2:00pm SLT on Wednesday.

Aerodrome Brings Aviation Age to Berlin

Since the end of the Great War, the science and business of aviation has made unprecedented strides forward. So much so that it is now possible to speak realistically of an "aviation industry". The Atlantic Ocean has been crossed both ways multiple times, regular airship service has been established between Hamburg and North and South America, and speed, distance and altitude records fall almost monthly. Even under the burdensome and unfair restrictions of the Versailles Treaty and Locarno Protocols, the German civil aviation industry is thriving. And with the opening of Berlin's aerodrome to the public the city is positioned to take a leading role in flight services.

"Fixed wing aircraft have proven themselves in war and changed the complexion of conflict forever," according to Captain Wolfgang Vedrina, part owner of Berlin Flugdeinst. "The Great War only touched a small part of how the airplane might be used by the military.  In civil life, airplanes can be used for everything from transporting people to transporting goods and the mail. I started Berlin aviation by flying from the street at the Brandenburg Gate and the popularity of the concept increased from there." Vedrina believes that the airfield will have a broad attraction far beyond the small percentage of Germans who are aviators. "For me, the development of aviation is a natural and historical phase in SL Germany.  My avatar's background mirrors historical characters in many ways and my own interest in aviation manifested in being able to spawn SL Berlin aviation. The ability to see the SL world from the air...especially here where avatar flying is not allowed... will attract people."

The Berlin Aerodrome, nestled against the canal in the factory district.

The aerodrome, which has been open for about a month, is located in the factory district across the canal from the Sportshalle and football field. It is a city-owned, public use facility, which means that pilots both resident and transient are welcomed to use the field to operate their aircraft. In addition to providing a local venue for aviators, the field offers options and services that will interest the general public. The Berlin Flying Service operates from the aerodrome and offers a variety of services such as hot air balloon flights, zeppelin tours, flight excursions and even flying lessons for would-be aviators (and aviatrix). Residents may not know that the zeppelin service also offers an alternative means of traveling to the city from the Teleportplatz, or that tourists may ride the zeppelin from the Teleportplatz and tour the city from the air without having to adhere to the city's strict dress code. For information on the zeppelin flights stop at the mooring just next to the train station at the Teleportplatz, or the Berlin Flugdeinst office at the air field. People are welcome to come by the field any time.

Relaxed Rules Create Keystone Cops Atmosphere

"Relaxed Rules Day" was a big hit this past Sunday, producing sights, sounds and situations rarely found outside of Mardi Gras. The usual regulations regarding proper dress were suspended, along with those prohibiting unrealistic avatars or futuristic machines and equipment. The usually conscientious Berlin constabulary were not only looking the other way, but were seen actively participating in the frivolity.

Diogenes Kuhr models the latest
in bartender uniforms.

A tank battle raged at the Magdelenenkirche early in the day and for a time bombs littered the Schloss Strasse and Alexenderplatz, exploding verbally whenever anyone approached. As might be expected in such times of crisis and chaos, the citizenry sought refuge where there was alcohol, and Der Keller was crowded with what appeared to be an April Halloween costume party.

Halloween in April at Der Keller

Notuncommon steams over lack
of Zeppelin tours.

The revels were not confined to the dance halls however, or even to the living. Apparently bored in his luxury tomb at the Schloss Museum, long dead Egyptian Prince Notuncommon decided to investigate the commotion outside and took a stroll over to the airport to inquire about a Zeppelin tour. Unfortunately the tour operators were unavailable. Any mummy parts found on the streets should be returned to the museum staff.

Father Hellendale at the Battle of Magdelenenkirche. In
command of his very own Panzerkampfwagon.

If anyone expected mature behavior on the part of Berlin's creators, managers and first citizens, they were surely disappointed. After all, Relaxed Rules Day was for everyone, and the photos speak for themselves.

 

Mila Edelman relaxes between parties.

Frau Yardley fails her driving license test.

City to Celebrate Sommerfrische Tomorrow

The City of Berlin will host the annual Sommerfrische Ball tomorrow, Saturday, 09 April 1929 beginning with a gathering in the Schinkelpark at 13:00SLT. The arrival of spring will be cheered with speeches and toasts from barrels of locally distilled schnapps. Following the celebration in the park will be a dance at the prestigious Hotel Adlon at 14:00SLT.

Traditionally, the Sommerfrische marked the time of year when Junker nobility moved from their winter city residences to their country estates. Originally this was because spring marked the beginning of the annual agricultural cycle and the aristocracy moved in order to be able to supervise critical planting activities on their farms. In more recent times it simply marked the period when the wealthy moved to their summer homes to avoid the uncomfortable summer heat and congestion of the cities. The festival is now celebrated by all social classes more as the marking of the end of winter and an occasion for city wide bacchanals.

Police to Turn Blind Eye to Wardrobe, Avatar Violations

This Sunday 10th April 1929 has been designated by the City Fathers (ok, the City Mother) as a "relaxed rules day". Everyone will be permitted to visit the Sim in modern dress and even unrealistic avatars for the 24 hour period beginning at Midnight Sunday. "This is your chance to show people the city without them having to change their clothes and avatar," explained influential club owner Jo Yardley. "A great day to bring friends to the city who don't like changing their outfits or who don't want to use a human shape." This will also be a rare opportunity to race around Berlin in a modern or unrealistic vehicle and do things that might not normally be tolerated by our vigilant Polizei .... but just for 24 hours.

Some rules will remain in force, including the ban on Nazi activity, nudism and public displays of, uhm, extreme affection. Linden Labs Terms of Service, of course, remain in effect. Normal rules enforcement will resume at 23:59SLT on Sunday.

"Autogiro" Makes German Debut

Berlin Flugmeister and Great War veteran Wolfgang Vedrina is testing a new design in flying machines. Called an Autogiro, the new machine is of Spanish and American design. Resembling an aeroplane without wings, the machine uses a radial piston engine, a three bladed conventional propeller and a large, overhead set of "rotor blades" that actually provide the lift. The blades become a "wing" when rotating which allows the craft to fly at very low speed once aloft.

Wolfgang Vedrina stands by his Model C.8.W. Autogiro
at the Berlin aerodrome.
(Photo by Wolfgang Vedrina)

Vedrina calls his deep blue machine the "Pitbull", referring to its American designer, Harold Pitcairn.  "The machine handles very well, despite peculiarities inherent to the design", reports Vedrina.  "In addition to the sound from the propeller, the overhead blades make a distinctive beating noise that I can see might be the signature of this design."

The design is the result of work done in Spain over the past several years by Juan de la Cierva to make rotary-wing flight possible. By keeping the wings moving at the proper angle and velocity Cierva proved that the rotating wing would not stall (or stop producing the "lift" that keeps an aeroplane aloft) as readily as in fixed wing aircraft. This was the major breakthrough for rotary wing development and Cierva developed and patented his design. Pitcairn approached Cierva about licensing the design for manufacture in the United States and the two agreed to terms this year to allow The Pitcairn Autogiro Company (PCA) to be formed formed. Vedrina's Model C.8.W. is the first civilian operated Autogiro in Germany.

American Aviatrix to Organize Cross-Continental Air Race

American Aviatrix Amelia Earhart
(Associated Press Photo)

Having become the first woman to travel by air across the Atlantic ocean in 1926, American flier Amelia Earhart has announced her intention to organize an air race across the North American continent for women pilots. Dubbed the Women's Air Derby, the race will be held in August of this year and will take participants from Santa Monica, California nearly all the way across the United States to finish in Cleveland, Ohio. Race organizers want a field of at least 20 American female pilots who are expected to complete the course in about a week of flying. Earhart is expected to compete. Race organizers are requiring entrants to have at least 100 hours of solo flight, including 25 hours of solo cross-country flying, a license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), and an annual sporting license issued by the National Aeronautics Association (NAA). "There are now about 40 American women pilots who meet these standards," Earhart said in announcing the competition. "We hope to enlist most of them in the race."

Last year Earhart published the story of her record setting trans-Atlantic flight between Newfoundland and Wales in her book "20 Hours 40 Minutes". In addition to her aviation activities, Earhart is also a columnist and commentator for Cosmopolitan Magazine and a senior manager with the Transcontinental Air Transport Company.

Indifference

- Spy Noir

The new Dixi was as black as Fritz Haarmann’s heart, the bodywork buffed to a sheen, the brown leather seats as soft as butter, the chrome wheels gleaming in the spring sunshine. The horn summoned her. Two short blasts. The curtains twitched and seconds later there she was, framed in the doorway.

He drank her in with the thirst of a barfly freed from a night in the cells and reintroduced after long, dry hours to the miracle of hard liquor.

Head to toe. Auburn hair freshly bobbed. Emerald eyes perpetually amused. Red as a blood-rose her cupid’s bow. Neat figure sheathed in a new Morales number. Kitten heels clicking on the cobblestones. All this in a blink.

She drew a single red nail along the paintwork.

“Nice…”

He chided her gently, as in she slid in beside him.

He took the back way, swinging down Friedrichstrasse and along Unter den Linden, the lime trees taking advantage of the early evening breeze to flutter their new-found finery at the revellers gathering already in doorways and outside pavement cafes.

The soft silk of her stockings whispered to him. She took a small mirror from her purse and smoothed an eyebrow. Seemingly satisfied with what she saw, she replaced it and began to hum a tune. ‘Ich küsse Ihre Hand, Madame’.

“You like Richard Tauber?” he asked.

She turned the brilliance of her smile upon him for a brief moment, and he almost ran down a couple of sailor-suited warm boys, sending them scuttling for the safety of the pavement. They rewarded him with curses and obscene gestures.

He pulled up twenty metres from the Adlon, allowing the engine to idle. He spotted the man instantly. Tall and broad-shouldered, dark with a dark, neatly-trimmed beard, black fedora and a dark grey astrakhan coat, an ivory-handled cane held loosely in his right hand.

“You are a darling!” she cried, and was gone.

When she reached the man, he nodded a question in the direction of the Dixi and her answer drew a smile, laughter.

He imagined indifference, and set about fashioning a garment in its shape, as hard as plate armour, to wear pulled tight against his breast. He drank indifference from the empty space beside him, feeling it surge through his blood, emboldening him. 

He nosed the Dixi forward pulling up level with the two lovers, and peered through the open window. The man raised his eyebrows and smiled expectantly.

“Do you…do you need a lift home later?”

The man laughed. “Oh you ARE a fine fellow! I shall be escorting the lady home myself, but what a fine fellow you are!”

And then the Adlon swallowed them, something by Liszt borne briefly on the spring air before the doors closed behind them.

The car stalled and his ears filled with the sound of blaring horns and the profane street poetry of a Berlin taxi driver. The petrol fumes in the air stung his eyes, making them water.

"Murder" Only A Sleepy Stargazer

Police were summoned to the docks along Fischerstrasse early last evening to investigate what appeared to be foul play but turned out to be nothing worse than a sleepy hausfrau.

Frau Bhalti rests on the canal after an
evening of stargazing.
(Photo by Lav Lavender)

Aviator and Airship Captain Lav Lavender was operating an aeroplane over the city and over a period of several hours noticed what appeared to be a woman lying still and alone in a small boat in the canal along Fischerstrasse. Concerned, he returned to the aerodrome and immediately notified the police. Upon investigation, a woman - who turned out to be Frau Michal Bhalti of Dorotheenstrasse #6 - was found laying motionless in one of the boats with what appeared to be the hilt of a sword protruding from her lower abdomen. "I saw her from the air," said Herr Hauptmann Lavender. "Then I went there to see if she was ok. The officer and I arrived there almost at the same time. She looked pretty dead to me."

The investigating officer, Wachtmeister Pinden, soon determined that nothing foul was afoot. Frau Bhalti was awakened from a sound sleep and seen safely home. "Oh I was just asleep," she said later at her home, "waiting for Karl (Bhalti). I just go for a walk and saw this boat so I sit down and look at the stars...and fall asleep." And the sword? Apparently just a long fishing knife left stuck in the seat of the boat. From ashore, or from the air, it certainly did look like something more sinister.