GUNS DRAWRN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 7

GUNS DRAWRN.

BOMBS THROWN.

U.S.A. STRIKE RIOT.

Police Overwhelmed Resort To

Firearms.

SIX MINERS KILLED

(By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 10.S0 a.m.) DENVER (Co'.), November 2i

The long tense mine dispute which has existed in Colorado since the middle of October broke into open violence when State police and the striking miners fought a battle at Columbine.

Four were killed and more than a score injured, six critically, in the clash when the miners stormed the property which belongs to the Rocky Mountain Coal Company.

After a hand-to-hand fight the policc were overwhelmed and resorted to their guns, the demonstrators using all manner of wjeapons.

The light occurred when 500 miners and their women sympathisers rushed fifteen State guards at a mine, which has been testing the ground since the strike was called and is the only property that has been operated virtually throughout the strike.

When the miners approached the property the deputy sheriff mounted a truck and warned them against entering the enclosure.

The miners paused but the leaders urged them on and the crowd rushed inside.

The police loosed tear bombs and the miners' retreated, cursing and yelling, but charged again when the gas cleaved.

Despite further police warnings the latter fired into the air hoping to stop the advance, but the attackers swung clubs and waved knives and swept down on the officers, who then fired into the advancing ranks.

Two miners dropped dead after the first volley.

Meantime, in another clash near Aguilar, twelve more miners were injured. Thirty-five were arrested by the deputy sheriffs but no shots were fired.

Governor Adams stated that martial law will shortly be declared.

National Guardsmen are being iispttched to the strike zone.—(A. and N.Z. and -Sydney "Sun.")

It was reported last month that although 6000 of the Colorado coal miners who had affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World, had responded to the latter's order to strike, only a part of the State coalfields was then affected. The State Governor, Mr. Adams, said there was nothing in-the situation at that lime to cause anxiety,! but he was prepared to act if an emergency should arise. The strikers sought more pay and shorter hourg. The United Mineworkers. although they were in the minority in most of the fields, denounced the strike and attempted to carry 1 oh their usual duties. In the meantime the strikers were faced with the ultimatum from the State and county authorities that all pickets would be arrested because the order to strike was illegal*