RAND REBELLION

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 4

RAND REBELLION

COMPLETELY CRUSHED.

GOVERNMENT RISES TO OCCASION.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

CAPE TOWN, March 16.

(Received March 17, at 1.155 a.m.)

An official summary of the course_ of events since tho outbreak of the revolution on Friday states that it has been brought to an end, by the 'quick decision of tho Government in declaring martial law and tho loyal assistance of the citizens, which was offered from every part of tho Union. People of all political convictions came forward to help the Government to put down what there is no doubt would have boon a social revolution by Bolsheviks, International Socialists, and Communists. Tho country was saved from terrible peril and bloodshed. The revolution is entirely suppressed, and, excepting for a few who escaped capture, all tho revolutionaries were taken prisoner. Upwards of 6,000 prisoners were captured. Those who were responsible for murder and rapine wall have to bo dealt with.

Tho Government gladly acknowledges the loyal assistance of tho citizens and burghers of all political convictions who came forward to assist in restoring law and order. The Government sincerely hopes that the country will now settle down again to peaceful conditions.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CLEANING-UP PROCESS,

REVOLUTIONARIES ON RUN

CAPE TOWN, March 16, (Received March 17, at 1.35 a.m.)

Official i The troops arc engaged in cleaning up the sectors in the central and eastern areas. Tho revolutionaries are doing their utmost to- escape and to get rid of their arms. Pome are making for tho Free State.

Although the revolution is effectively crushed, a certain amount of sniping continues by men in their desperate efforts to escape from the hands of the law. The operations in the eastern suburbs of Johannesburg have developed into house-to-house fighting. It is expected that the authorities will round up the- Reds in the southern suburbs to-day.

Most of the shops wore open yesterday, and all, of them will probably be open today.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

GENERAL STRIKE CALLED OFF,

CAUSED BY EXTREMISTS,

GAPE TOWN, March 16. (Received (March 17, at 1.35 a.m.)

In calling off tho general strike, tho Industrial Federation, as distinct from the augmented executive, on which various unions arc represented, states that had there been no disturbing influences tho joint executive would have proceeded to ballot on the question of a return to wtirk, hut while the meeting was proceeding on March 6 the extremists freely exercised revolvers and sticks in support of threats that tho augmented executive would not bo allowed out of flic room till they had declared a general strike. The executive succumbed to these threats. The federation now; calls off tho strike and comuletely repudiates tho rebel!ion.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

EXECUTIVES INTIMIDATED.

CAPE TOWN, March 16, (Received March 17, at 10 a.m.)

In a statement (lie Industrial Federation declares that the meeting at which the. general strike was declared had no authority to do so. Tho decision was put into operation by’ unauthorised persons without waiting for tho decision of separate meetings of the executives. Hi is statement has created a. great impression ns showing that the general strike was not forced upon the workers by Die Chun her of Alines and the Government, as has been maintained hitherto, but by intimidation against the will of the federation. The ],liter also recommends that steps be taken to call off the mine strike.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

REPAIRING THE DAMAGE,

CAPE TOWN, Alarch 16, (Received Alarch 17, at 9.20 a.m.)

Military operations on a large scale are now probably over. What the Government 1 and the community now have to face is the work of reconstruction. The Prime Minister is leading the way. and the whole population is making a determined effort to get the industrial machine into working order again. The gold mines are working partially, and the railways will soon be norma!, there having been no railway strike, such interruption as took place being caused by terrorism. The news of the calling off of (he strike in Johannesburg was received with general satisfaction. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

RED SAVAGERY,

MINE OFFICIALS MURDERED,

CARE TO WAT, March 16, (Received March 17, at 10 a.m.)

The ‘Johannesburg Star’ obtained from a wounded official at Brakpan mine the striVv of ibe murder of other officials after the attack on the mine on Friday. The details aso reminiscent of the days of the savage Zulu chief Dingam Tlic official slates that the garrison bad already surrendered when a, mob of Reds approached. One ruffian fired at and killed a man. Another man was also shot deal. The Beds then started beating three other officials with rifles as they were Iving upon the ground unconscious owing to tho battering they had already received. Voices cried ‘‘Let us r.hoot them,” and several shots were fired at them as they lay, with fatal effects.—A. and N..Z Cable.

AUSTRALIAN SYMPATHISERS.

MELBOURNE, March 16.

Tho Trades Hall Council has decided to fly the Red flag and the Australian flag half-mast “as a mark of respect for tho heroic members of the -working class who lost their live? in South Africa fighting against the extreme policy of the Chamber of Mines, which is endeavoring not only to reduce wages by direct method?, but is seeking to increase the, percentage of cheap Kaffir labor.”