INDUSTRIAL MAELSTROM.

Mataura Ensign, 15 January 1914, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL MAELSTROM.

RALLYING ROUND THE GOVERNMENT. THE FEAR OF MARTIAL LAW. / A STEADYING EFFECT.. **., ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT. / PER UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION. Received January 15, 9.30 a.m. CAPETOWN, Jan. 14. The railway situation at Balt River and other points of the Cape province •re rather better this morning. The proclamation- of martial law in the northern province and the exceptionally drastic regulations in force are •apposed l to be having a steadying effect on waverers. The various trades at nevertheless, are discussing the advisability of striking, many being strongly disposed thereto. The Governor-General's proclamation hag been, placarded in the streets of the ••ity, and as in the other centres of the I Union applies equally to the Cape province except so far as martial law is «onoeraed.

The Federation's general strike order applies for the present only to the Transvaal and Orange Free State. It is understood that the Cape Federation will or will not call a general atrike in Cape province according to ■circumstances. "THE MADMEN WHO RULE." OUTSPOKEN NEWSPAPER. Received January 15, 0.30 a.m. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 14. Dynamite continues to be found on the railways, and a quantity was discovered this morning at Boywn'B, on the Reef line, by a patrol of Imperial Light Horse. The 'Transvaal Leader' in an article states: "The decks are now cleared for action, and the struggle between State and Syndicalism begun. The only hope remaining is that it is to be fought to a final and conclusive issue."

The 'Johannesburg Mail' anticipates that is publication will be suspended for a time in consequence of its being a trade union office, while one of its competitors, being a non-union office, continues uninterrupted publication. The 'Mail' considers the position scarcely likely to furnish a very strong incentive to other employers to follow the 'Mail's* example, and proceeds: "The fault is ■at that of the system, in which we still believe, but of the madmen who rule the Federation to-day and seem determined to lead 1 all those who will follow them to ruin."

The 'Mail' tenders its sympathies to those who are forced into co-operation in achieving their own ruin and shattering their on ideals. MARTIAL LAW. WHAT IT MEANS.

Received January 15, 9.30 a.m. . CAPETOWN, Jan. 14. The martial law region is divided into nine districts, each under the control of an officer, who has absolute power. The ordinary law remains in force and the civil courts continue, bub the latter cannot override the orders or actions of. the control officer or any officer administering martial law. Arrests may be made without warrant. All V commissioned officers have full power %*sf> commandeer and requisition as in war time. \ The control officer may restrict the movements of any person within hia «e* and also regulate and restrict the movements of natives notwithstanding anything in anv statute. Publication in newspapers or by other means of false or alarming reports or information calculated to promote ill feeling is prohibited, and also intimidation by strikers, or the use of approbrious epithets, including the words "scab," and "blaokT)ynamitards,, or even suspected dynamitards, may be shot on sight, also persons with explosives in their possession which they cannot satisfactorily explain may be sentenced to death by the military tribunal.

MAY BE SHOT AT SIGHT. Received January 15, 10.90 a.m. CAPETOWN, Jan. 14. • The regulations regarding martial taw are very detailed. Unauthorised persons in the neighborhood of railways, telegraphs, telephones, power stations or waterworks are liable to be shot on tight.'

Martial law is unknown to English jurisprudence; disturbers of the public peace can be found guilty of treason, felony, or misdemeanour, according' to trircumstances. On the other hand, no judicial decisions can alter the fact that tke application of military government under the law of necessity, commonly called martial law, must always exist {states an English writer). When a belligerent occupies an enemy's country, the country is either wholly or partially placed under Military goveif.nent. In the case of disturbances abroad (such as the Jamaica riots in 1865), the Governor of the colony, who is the representative of the Crown; is the person who proclaims martial ,law. An act of indemnity would, if necessary, be passed by Parliament after martial law had ceased in the ease of a Crown' colony and by the local legislature in the case of .a settled colony. Martial law is not restrospective in its action', nor does it extend beyond the proclaimed district. An offcider cannot be tried for an offence committed before martial law was proclaimed, nor can he be arrested beyond the limits of the area proclaimed. Martial law should never be kepi) in force longer j than absolutely necessary, and the pro-j •cedure of military courts should, as far as practicable, be adhered to. During | the campaign against the Boers. (18991908) the greater part of South Africa was placed under martial law. Minor breaches of the regulations were summarily dealt with by authorised officers, while the more seriouß offences were tried by military courts with unlimited powers of punishment. The procedure laid down for field general courts martial was strictly followed, with the addition that all evidence., and the defence, was written out in full in each case.

ASSISTANCE FROM AUSTRALIA. ! Received January 15, 0.30 a.m. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 14. A copy of the following cable has been posted/ outside the Trades? Hall from Mr Hunt, secretary of tie Federation at Perth (Western Australia), to the secretary of the Federation, JohannoKburg: "Sympathy; in your struggle for freedom. Financial assistance if warded. Hold out. Whole of Aus*ra' : < with you in your fight against) Botha »nd -Government."

The Trades' Hall is n»w barricaded with boxes, liquor oases and furniture, mainly at the back of the hall, but the main door is also barricaded. NEWSPAPERS CLOSING DOWN,. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COPYRIGHT. TIMES-SYDNEY SUN SPECIAL CABLE. Received January 15,, 8.30 a.m. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 14. The newspapers are closing down on account of the compositors' strike. Several dynamite outrages are reported and telegraphing is difficult. POLICE EVERYWHERE. SPECIAL PERMITS TO TRAVEL. I Received January 15, 11.5 a.m. I JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 14. In contrast with yesterday, the police are swarming everywhere to-day and I armed constables are patrolling the | thoroughfares. No one is allowed to enter or leave the city without a permit. An additional regulation requires that a special permit is necessarv by citizens who are out of doors between eight at night and five in the morning. Crowds of applicants for permits have assembled.

Two men who were arrested at Benoni were rescued by a mob of strikers, who also thwarted an attempt by the police detectives to raid a hail and arrest Bam, the secretary of the Trades Federation. SITUATION EASIER. STRIKERS LOSING GROUND. Received Januarv 15. 11.5 a.m. CAPETOWN, Jan. 14. The situation is easier.

The strikers have lost ground to-day and the country and population English and Dutch alike, are rallying to support the Government, which has shown marked unanimity in providing special constables who are principally responsible for # patrolling the railway main line. The service throughout the Union has maintained wonderful regularity.