BROOME RACE RIOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17663, 27 December 1920, Page 5

BROOME RACE RIOTS.

RIVAL FACTIONS SEPARATED. REQUEST FOR A WARSHIP A. and N.Z. PERTH, Dec. 24. The latest development in connection with the riots between the Japanese and Koepanger (Timor) pearl divers is that the leading Japanese asked for a. meeting with the leading white residents. They apologised for the riots, and offered to do all in their power to restore order, but contrary to this promise the Japanese gathered in groups at various points of Ihe town, collected sticks and stones, and looked over every person passing by in their search for Koepangers. The town has been divided into two zones, one Japanese, and the other comprising the Koepangers. All coloured people have been ordered to stay in their. camps between sunset and sunrise. There is r.ow every hope that there "will not be any further trouble, as the rival parties have agreed to camp three-quarters of a mile apart. Special constables have been enrolled, and are patrolling the neutral area between the camps. A meeting of white residents was held, and a resolution passed condemning the action of the authorities in negotiating with the Japanese. The meeting claimed that the authorities by their action have lowered the dignity of the white race, and 't was contended that this opinion was justified by the failure of the Japanese to keep their promises. The meeting also demanded that a telegram be sent to the Federal naval authorities asking for a. warship to be sent to Broome, as further trouble was to he feared. The Japanese are treating with disdain all the representations made by the white inhabitants of the town.