LOOTING AND RIOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17144, 25 April 1919, Page 6

LOOTING AND RIOTS.

THE EGYPTIAN OUTBREAK, BEDOUINS RAID SHOPS. OFFICIAL'S NARROW ESCAPE. LONDON, Jlar. 29. A Cairo message says that refugees from Benisnef, including officers, array nurses, and Americans, relate their experiences, which typify the terroristic outbreaks throughout the country. Tho natives at Benisuef began their demonstrations peacefully but developed to the highest excitement and boldness, j Hundreds of Bedouins arrived and joined in the raiding of shops. Europeans sought help from Fayoum, and British officers leading a small Indian force with Lewis guns arrived. The mob later was reinforced and besieged tho irrigation offices and the judge's house, demanding their surrender. The officials barely escaped. The subordinates persuaded the natives that the officials were absent; but the mob completely wrecked the offices.*

The natives similarly attacked Mudira. The shopkeepers, who are mostly Indians, were armed with rifles, and they killed a number of Bedouins, and stopped the onslaught. The natives retired, swearing to return next day for revenge. The garrison was reinforced with machine-guns from Minia. The Bedouins"returned, but, realising the risks did not storm the place; they contented themselves by sniping and looting in the neighbouring settlements.