ON THE RAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1922, Page 5

ON THE RAND

THE CRISIS PASSED. TROOPS NOAV DISBANDING. i Australian and N.Z. Cable Association./ CAI’ETOM’N, March 16. Some Burgher forces which, assisted the Government have already been disbanded. General tribute is paid to the police, wiio bore the first brunt of the attack. They consist largely of Dutchmen, with a considerable percentage of Nationalists; but all played a gallant and loyal part. Aeroplanes did excellent service bombing the Reds and assisting the land movements. Not one escaped being hit by rifle fire. Among the Red plots which failed w. re ari angements to link up with the forces in various centres, disorganising their plans, and reducing them to sporadic attacks. General Smuts, reviewing the railway regiment, said that the crisis was over, thanks to the way the citizens lid their duty. He paid a tribute ■ i the regiment's devotion. The Government had again found that it cmild rely on the complete loyalty of he railway service in time of stress. He hoped the organisation would be maintained not for military purposes, ',ii- for upholding law and order. The mines are receiving a rush of applications for a return to work. A number of farmers, who appeared in the direction of Aliddlebtirg were dispersed or captured by Government forces. Several taken prisoner were subsequently released. The Nationalist newspaper “Du Burger” utters a _ grave warning against any movement pointing to unrest, and states that the Nationalist I’arty will support the Government in the maintenance of law and order. Wh n it is restored, the party will call the Government to account for every deed in connection with the late occurrences. The paper asks: “Has there not been enough bloodshed ? The Government hold the means of overcoming everyone. Let each protest against the Government, but not with arms force.” It is now ascertained that Fisher and Spendiff, the Red leaders in Fordsburg, committed suicide. There is evidence that each died through a revolver shot in the temple. Fisher made a will leaving his property of £2OOO to his wife, also making certain provision for Airs. Spendiff. As an aftermath of the outbreak, at lead ten thousand prisoners and other suspects have to be sifted and examined. Some thousands of Reds are detained. BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. CAPETOWN; Alarch 17. The Johannesburg Augmented strike Executive declines to recognise li.- calling off of the strike by the Industrial Federation, and has issued a notice to the Trades Unions warning tiiem not to pay any attention to the notices issued without their knowledge, and consent, as they have come from people who cannot be trusted. This notice is stated to illustrate the confusion caused by the existence of various executives. Subsequently the joint executives met by permission of the authorities, when it was decided to take a ballot on the question of ending the strike. .Johannesburg is full of rumours regarding trials and executions of revolutionary leaders under martial law. It is officially stated that the rumours are untrue. No trials have yet taken place. It is reported from Pretoria that the head and fount of the revolutionary movement for a long time has been centred in Johannesburg in tlie person of an Eastern European of fairly long residence in South Africa, who was provided with plenty of money. He is now rejiorted to be in custody. SYMPATHY FOR EXTREAIISTS. SY DNEY, Alarch 17. The Labour Council has adopted a r< solution of wholehearted sympathy .lith the trade unionists of South . t ricu, in their light against capitalism. The Council will render any support possible. RED FLAG AT CHRISTCHURCH. | (Special to the Star.) CHRISTCHURCH, Alarch 17. Flying of the “Red Flag” at halfmast over the Christchurch Trades Hall to-day led to a reporter inquiring of the Trades Union authorities there whether or not anyone connected with the Trades Hall was dead. “AVorkers are being slaughtered in South Africa,” was the reply, so tlie flying of the Red flag at half-mast in Christchurch to-day is flic expression of sympathy with the rebels in South Africa.