RAND STRIKERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 6, 7 July 1913, Page 7

RAND STRIKERS

HOT TIME WHILE IT LASTS TRAMS AND TRAINS HELD UP TROOPS CHARGE. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright JOHANNESBURG, 4th July. The trains and trams were held up, the municipal electric power supply cut off, and tho city plunged temporarily in darkness. The rioters got beyond control. Tho troops thrice charged the mob ineffectually. The Park Station was set on file, and also the Star newspaper building. The troops have been ordered to fire on, the strikers in future. The strike leadens attempted to address a mass meeting of 6000, but the police prohibited the assembly, and dispersed the crowd. The mob pelted the police and the troops with bottles and stones, and several persons were injured on both 6ides. The Government's initial mistake was in Teverting to the old Dutch law forbidding assemblies beyond six persons. Four thousand had already arrived at the place, determined upon a demonstration. The second mistake, it is stated, was in allowing the strike leaders to address a crowd of five thousand in the Marketsquare on the understanding that they should pacify and disperse the mob. The harangues of the speakers weTe of a violent tone. They refused to desist, and the meeting was broken up. A general melee followed, in which the police and the cavalry drove the strikers helter-skelter into the side streets. A flying stone injured Lieutenant Solater Booth (Royal Dragoons), who was for Born© time unconscious. Persistent attempts were made to enter Corner House, Wermher, Beit and Co.'s headquarters. Revolvers were fired at the police, who responded with their rifles. After due warning had been given the Dragoons, slashingly charging the mob, dispersed the striken?, hitting with the flat of their Swords. g Thirty persons were sent to tne Hospital, and one man was trampled to ' death. * The Park Station and the Star building were destroyed, the mob driving off the fire brigades in each case. RAILWAY STATION SEIZED. , While the police and the troops were dispersing the demonstrators in the Marketnsquare a big mob seized the Park ■ Railway Station, Braamfontein goods station, and the engine yards, which they held for four hours. The etationmaster appealed to the ringleaders to allow the trains to leave with the women and children, who were hastening from the danger zone. The ring-leaders promised, but the promise was not fulfilled. An attempt was made to despatch the southern mail train, but when the signal -was given a savage onslaught was made by the mob. The strikers stoned i and overpowered the police, who were ' defending the station. The troops then arrived and charged through the mob thrice. The mob replied Avith revolver shots, and set the 1 station ablaze from end to end. Another party of incendiaries maTched to the Star office, which was soon in a mass of flames. Troops galloped to the scene, but the crowd was strong enough to resist them until the building was doomed. TROOPS FIRE. Inspector Vachell, who, with his men, was guarding Corner House, summoned the rioters, who were by this time pouring towards it from Market-square, to surrender. The crowd jeered at the order. Inspector Vachell then ordered the police to firo a volley over the rioters' heads. The mob retaliated by hurling bottles and stones. A second volley was fired into the crowd, and several fell. This checked, the rush, and a troop of a hundred Dragoons thereupon charged and scattered the rioters pell-mell. The rioters reformed in Commissionerstreet, near the Standard National , Banks. These were strongly guarded, as also was the Leader newspaper buildings. For the next three hours severe rioting went on in this quarter. Towards midnight the mob looted the gunsmiths, and firing became general. Troops repeatedly charged the crowd, which consistently scattered and reformed. The strikers attempted to destroy the electric lig^t, which was helpful to the troops. For an hour after midnight incessant firing in the riot area went on. The repeated cavalry charges, volleys, and fusillades, the, crashing of glass, the jeers and execrations in the semi-darkness, created such an impression that greatly exaggerates the estimates of the casualties circulating. KILLED AND WOUNDED. It is certain that four civilians were killed in Market square, and probably the total number of wounded on both sides is about fifty. The troops in most cases fired over the heads of thc.3trikers. It is reportedthat a thousand of the East Rand miners are marching on Johannesburg. The authorities are barricading the principal business streets, and requests have been sent to Pretoria for machine guns and reinforcements. The mob wrecked the offices of the Village Main Line, and three policemen, who were guarding the premises, were beaten to a state of unconsciousness. Some of the rioters removed the drivers from their engines, drew the fires, and wrecked the carriages and windows of the trains at Park Station. The rioters included many half-caste ruffians. The Scot 3 Fusiliers fixed their bayonets, and prevented the mob entering the Kleinfontein Mine. Colonel Truter, Chief of the Union Police, assumed charge of the situation. General O'Brien, Commander of the Potchefstroom Division, was in command of the troops. There are upwards of 200,000 natives on the Rand, and these are beginning to show signs of unrest. The officials do not anticipate trouble if the natives are left alone. SYMPATHY RESOLUTION. Three hundred railway men, at a meeting, passed resolutions of sympathy with the miners, and are balloting on the question of striking on Sunday. • Lawlessness on the Eastern Rand is growing, and there have been several cases of brutai assaults. The Capetown trade unions are vibrating with excitement, owing to the Government's firm action, and are discussing in camera the question of a national strike. Owing to the hoarding of supplies, a coal famine is imminent. The shipping companies have cabled orders for Welsh