A group of mutineers known as The Soldiers’ Council has taken control of the German naval base of Kiel.
Governing authorities are powerless against this newly constituted authority. The formation of the council by sailors, marines and soldiers is similar to those formed in Russia.
Discontent within the German navy has been rising following the arrest of a number of sailors and marines for refusing to obey orders. A naval mutiny arose just over a year ago, for similar reasons.
On the battleship Kaiser, sailors replaced the war flag with the revolutionary red flag. The men overwhelmed revolver-wielding officers defending the flag.
Two officers, including the Commander of the Kaiser, were killed. Several others were wounded.
Four companies of infantry were sent to the town to restore order. Three of the companies joined the mutineers, while the fourth was disarmed.
The cavalry at Wansbeck was sent to Kiel, but was held up by marines with machine guns a mile from the town, forcing it to retire.
The Soldiers’ Council took control of food supplies, a continued source of trouble at Kiel.
Admiral Souchun was arrested and detained by the Council.
The Council put machine guns throughout the city. Souchun, the Governor at Kiel, was the officer who “arranged” the opening of hostilities between Turkey and the Entente at the head of the German-Turkish fleet at Constantinople.
A manifesto issued by the Governor requested the Council state its demands.
The Soldiers’ Council demands recognition, better treatment of the men in ships and ashore, abolition of the salute, equality for officers and men, abolition of the officers’ casinos, release of all persons in prison for refusal to obey orders, and no punishment for men who had not returned to their ships.
The Governor agreed to the demands immediately after he was informed of them.
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