UGLY SITUATION

Grey River Argus, 22 April 1925, Page 5

UGLY SITUATION

AT BLOEMFONTEIN. X’ATIVE MORS RESIST POLICE. (Aus. Hid N.Z. Cable Assn.) CAPETOWN, April 20. An ugly situation has developed at. the Bloemfontein Native locnrion. An attempt by the police to interfere with a. native beer drink was resisted by a mob of four thousand natives. The police were compelled to retire after - native had been killed, and several police wounded. Subsequently the local defence, force was called out and picketed tho streets in fear of a native attack on the town. Tho natives maintained menacing attitude, but the Minister of .Tustio<' stated in tho Assembly that the p.mi lion was easier. Tho railway regiment, and tho police are standing by. LATER REPORTS. RESERVE FIRE ON NATIVES. (’Ai’ETOWX. \pri| L ‘ ( \ All was quiet in Bloemfontein in the evening. The city was under poI'ce and civilian patrol. Fifty native ringleaders wore arrested. To-flav’s casualties among natives, so far as they ! are at present known, include four killed, throe seriously injured :>!iil 18 slightly injured. Two Europeans were seriously hurt. Tho later details show that a special force of police, armed only with pick handles, wore sent in'the location to disperse the natives. A reserve force was stationed, outside, armed with rifles, and fixed bayonets, hut tho strictest orders worn issued that no rifle was to ho fired without distinct orders. The police mot with a stout resistance. Many were injured by flying stones. Tho reserve was then brought in. Tn tho end. tho reserve was forced to fire. Tho previous estimate of tho native casual ties is our firmed.