SOUTH AFRICA.

Mataura Ensign, 15 January 1914, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICA.

I «... "ABSTAIN FROM VIOLENCE." PASSENGERS STRANDED. BY ELECTKIC TELEGBAPH COPYRIGHT. TIMES-SYDNEY SDN SPECIAL CABLE. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 13. The strikers' peaceable leaders are urging an abstinence from violence. The last train for Durban was stopped at Allendale in the middle of the veldt. The driver detached the engine and returned, leaving the passengers stranded. Farmers are telegraphing to the cities stating that they are ready to assist to break the strike and to act iri unison with the Government. Lord Gladstone has intimated that the Imperial troops will be available if required.

AUTHORITIES IN COMMAND. ACTIVE DEFENCE FORCE. CAPETOWN, Jan. 13. The martial law proclamation covers the principal districts in the Transvaal, Orangia and Natal through which the main line wasses, and includes Durban, Maritzburg, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Pretoria, but does not affect the Cape province. It is estimated that there are about 70,000 active members of the defence force and the reserves under arms in the Transvaal, Orangia and Northern Natal. They are largely composed of ex-irregulars and burghers, and are consequently war veterans. Twenty thousand of them are concentrated in Johannesburg and at the reefe, several thousand in Pretoria and other centres, and the remainder are picketing and patrolling the several thousand miles of the main lines.

The authorities have complete command of the situation. Further developments, which are expected to be exciting, are being awaited with the keenest interest. 1 THE GENERAL STRIKE. FOUR TO ONE IN FAVOR. CAPETOWN, Jan. 13. Router's correspondent understands that in view of the declaration of a general strike the miners will cease work at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon. It is expected that other trades will follow suit.

The pumpmen will leave with the others, and' any special case for pumping the mines to prevent flooding must be submitted by the management to -the Federation, which will consider it. Reuter's correspondent states that the Federation delegates sat until a, late hour with closed doors. When the decision was announced there were scenes of the greatest enthusiasm in l the Labor Council rooms, delegates waving their hats and handkerchiefs and cheering vociferously. One excited delegate thrust his hand through a window and shouted the word "unanimous" to the crowd of 5000 people waiting outside, but no one guessed what the word meant, hence there was no demonstration.

Reuter's Johannesburg correspondent says that the Federation has announced the result of the ballot, which shorn a majority of four to one in favor of a general srike, which begins forthwith, but some sections will be allowed to work to-morrow's shift.

The Bakers' Union president (Mr Anderson) has announced that all bread baked from noon to-morrow will only be delivered on a permit by him, and that none will be delivered to the defence force or to the police.

TERMS DISCUSSED. THE FOOD SUPPLY. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 14. To-day was a dull day at the Trades Hall, and it was described by the miners' secretary as the lull before the storm. Apart from the encouraging telegrams from all quartersy there is. no ment. Several of the heads of departments in the various indusries. visited the Federation's executive and discussed terms, which they considered were essential to prevent trouble and damage to property.

In regard to the Bakers' Union's prohibition regarding the supply of bread to the defence force and the police, Mr Quinn, one of the largest Johannesburg bakers, declared that it was quite impossible to recognise this. He would himself with volunteers go to the bakehouse, make the bread, first supply the hospitals, and then the other places would Teceive the best attention possible. It is anticipated that manufacturers could keep the town sufficiently supplied.

Four hundred tons of food and fruit arrived to-day. An armed patrol saw a man placing dynamite on the railway near Georgegoch station. The patrol fired, but missed the man, who was identified, but escaped, CAPETOWN, Jan. 14. - The tramwaymen have passed a resolution that ,they will strike if they are called out.