RAND REBELLION

Evening Star, Issue 17920, 16 March 1922, Page 5

RAND REBELLION

MDIHG UP THE REBELS.

TWO LEADERS KILLED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPE TOWN, March 15. (Received March 16, at 12.45 a.m.) It is believed that two prominent Bed leaders (Fisher and Spendiff) wore killed in the Trades Hall. Fisher is said to bo an Oxford man.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

DOCUMENTS DISCOVERED,

JOHANNESBURG TO BE -SEIZED,

CAMPAIGN OF FRIGHTFULNESS

PLANNED,

CAPE TOWN, March 15. (Received March 16, at 12.45 a.m.) The Red leaders, Fisher and Spendiff, wore killed by shrapnel whilst making bomba at tho Trades Hall, which was discovered to contain piles of bombs. Documents are reported to have been found indicating the plans for tho Red campaign, which included the seizure of Johannesburg, also execution and assassination lists of practically all tho prominent Johannesburghers. Another case is reported of Reds killing two natives wantonly. Ono was mutilated.—Router.

EASTERN DISTRICT,

GAPE TOWN, March 15. (Received March 16, at 12.45 a.m.) An official communique states that in the eastern area General Brits released sixty-nine police who had gallantly defended their position. Generals Van Deventer and Brits have practically joined forces, and aro engaged in collecting prisoners.—Router.

GALLANT POLICE. CAPE TOWN, March 15. (Received March 16, at 1.10 a.m.) The ‘ Cape Times ’ states that ono result of tho fight at Brixtem suburb on Monday was the relief of a strong police force, numbering 183, who proceeded to Brixton on Friday, and had been lost sight of ever since, The men put up a heroic fight against big odds. It is now learned that they retired to tho veldt, where they were cut off by hordes of revolutionaries, and were subjected to continuous attacks. They decided to fight to the end, and returned tho rebel fire with tho utmost coolness. No food or water was obtainable. Their ammunition ran out, and they had given up hope, when they were sighted by an aeroplane. The airmen informed tho authorities, and food and ammunition were conveyed to them. -Shortly after the revolutionaries withdrew, but no doubt the gallant stand kept 1,500 armed ruffians engaged, and had a groat effect on the course of events. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE CAPTURE OF FORDSBURG,

CAPE TOWN, March 15,

(Received March 16, at 12.45 a.m.) It is reported that a number of Fordsburg Reds were driven towards Langlaagte, where they are likely to fall into the hands of the burghers. Some of the buildings were severely damaged by artillery fire. An eye-witness states that a number ■who were hit in the street were left lying in the road crying for water. An attempt by people in near-by houses to assist them was mo't by a murderous rifle and revolver fire.—A. and N.Z. Cable, March 14.

The greater part of the population of Johannesburg watched from roofs, water tanks, and every point of vantage the Fortlshurg drama. Everywhere were khaki lines intermingling with the police blue, with big, guns, machine guns, and ambulances, while tanks waddling down past the Stock Exchange completed the weird sight. Shells and bullets wore whistling over the beads of the spectators. When the Government forces rushed the houses white flags began to flutter. The infantry went forward and surrounded the Trades Hall. Then the fighting died down, though the aeroplanes continued clearing up ‘the sniping posts. The infantry dealt with the stragglers inside a wide cordon, and a stream of strongly-escorted prisoners began to flow into Johannesburg.—Reuter.

SHOPS AND LIQUOR STORES

LOOTED,

CAPE TOWN, March 14.

On Sunday night there was a wild orgy. Houses and shops were ransacked and burned and liquor stores looted, drunken Reds firing indiscriminately on women and children, or anyone appearing in the streets. The Government forces entered at daybreak, and all the Red commandos retired.

AT BRAKPAN,

CAPE TOWN, Match 14,

General Van Deventer continued to advance on Brakpan-, the Reds retreating in the direction of Hcidelburg. According to the manager of tho Brakpan mine, when a small defending force surrendered a band of ninety men who had. taken ho part in tho fight shot tho defenders down at close range, and battered their heads with pick handles. The police post gallantly held out till riddled with hnllete. Brakpan itself suffered little damage.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE BENONI FIGHTING,

POLICE DIFFICULTIES.

HAMPERED BY WOMEN,

CAPE TOWN, March 14.

The special correspondent with General Van Deventer’s force describes tho fighting in the Benoni district. Ho states that it started without the Reds knowing that martial law had been proclaimed. It is declared that a white man wounded a native who seized a rifle. The trouble then became general. The Reds attacked the police on all sides. The police repulsed tho attacks; hut, as the sniping continued, they raided the surrounding houses, and captured sixty men. They discovered women and children among the snipers. The police were so exasperated that they shot a supposed woman, who was found to be a man dressed in a woman’s clothes. The women, with white flags, sheltered the men, whilo the children formed groups round them to prevent their capture. Finally a few rounds of machine gun fire stopped tho sniping. Meantime the Benoni police and Colonel Barnes’s relieving force joined General Van Deventer, and a frontal attack with bayonets cleared one section of the Reds’ defences. Stretcher-bearers were unable to relieve tho wounded owing to the Reds pouring in a murderous fire. They had to lie whore they fell till the afternoon. This happened on Sunday. Every house in the main ayenuo in Benoni was fortified and barricaded. The military did nob use funs, fearing that tho women and chilron might he hurt. They waited till Monday to occupy the town.—A, and N.Z. Cable.