WEST INDIES RIOTS

Northern Advocate, 23 October 1935, Page 8

WEST INDIES RIOTS

Three Men Killed

ROBBERY AND DESTRUCTION POLICE FIRE ON MOB [United Press Association.-By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright.! (Received 10 a.m.) VANCOUVER, October 21. A MESSAGE from Kingstown, St. Vincent Island, West Indies, states that three rioters were shot dead and several were - wounded this evening when a crowd of angry labourers, armed with clubs and stones, - stormed business houses in the town. Bent on robbery and destruction hundreds of negroes sped through the streets of the capital after threatening disorders all day. A number of. stores were looted and cars owned by the Administrator and other Government officials were wrecked before the armed guard dispersed the rioters. There is no assurance that the trouble is over, and guards have been placed on duty for the night. All business is suspended. Workmen’s Problems. In tfie afternoon an unruly mob surrounded the Administrator outside the Courthouse, demanding to be heard on the subject of workmen’s problems. Quiet was restored after the Administrator had promised to receive representatives of the men on the questions of minimum wages, workmen’s compensation and Customs duties.

Meanwhile the guard round the building had been doubled and the crowd broke up without violence. Before rhany hours, however, the crowd gathered again, its ranks being swell-/ ed by labourers frcfm the outlying plantations. One or two minor front street incidents, were enough to start the whole crowd rioting. The largest business houses and shops -were first attacked and much food, clothing and other stock was carried off. As the rioters went from place to place they made side excursions in search of officials’ cars with the object of smashing thqm. Not until the rioters’ ranks Were broken by the pdlice fire did the disorders cease.