STRIFE IN RUHR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18412, 30 May 1923, Page 9

STRIFE IN RUHR.

RIOTS INCREASE. STRUGGLE FOR BOCHUM. HEAVY CASUALTIES. COMMUNIST MARAUDERS. BANDS ROVE DORTMUND. By Telegraph— Association— (Received 8.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. BERLIN, May 28. The latest reports of the Communist rising in the Ruhr give the casualties as 30 killed and 200 injured. Bochum spent a troubled night. Communists and firemen fought for possession of the town which is now practically cut off. Little news is obtainable but it is known that there have been heavy casualties. Taking advantage of the darkness Communists roved Dortmund, taking possession of the houses and having many fierce struggles with the occupants. Open fighting developed this morning. Twenty were killed and 80 wounded. The miners at Gelsenkirchcn were ordered to leave work and Communists raided the mines, doing serious damage. Earlier messages reported that a police motor-car was blown up by hand grenades at Dortmund, two being killed, two fatally wounded and six others wounded less severely. Fighting at Hoerde resulted in two being killed 'and 60 injured. Practically every mine in the Ruhr is at a standstill, chiefly owing to terrorism by Communist commandoes which visit the pits and forcibly eject the workers. Communists ; with fixed bayonets ' are picketing some mines to prevent miners from descending. The willingness of many miners to work is evidenced by the voting, at Bochum, where 75 per cent, favoured resumption. It is stated that 19 people were killed and 80 wounded during the rioting at Bochum on > Saturday. Volunteer police numbering 2000, whom the French supplied with arms, restored comparative quiet. The French refused the request of the Prussian Provincial Governor to allow the German security police to re-enter the danger zone, but permitted local police in the occupied zone to be moved to danger points. General Degoutte has ordered German railwaymen to resume work under the French authorities within 48 hours, otherwise all under- 60 years will bo expelled and those over 60 dismissed. . j