At the decomposition of Austria-Hungary at the end of October 1918 the German bourgeoisy relied on the help of the military garrison of Maribor and on the support of the social-democratic working class, hitherto set aside, in the struggle for Maribor. In fear of riots (especially of plunderings of the famished soldiers, travelling through Maribor) the German bourgeoisy negotiated with the Slovene National Council for Styrla about all matters and gave way to it out of tactical grounds, though they saw in it their main adversary. When on November 1st General Maister with the fighters for the northern frontier took the military power into his hands, the Germans were pushed into defence.