BLACK MAN PERIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 8

BLACK MAN PERIL.

OUTRAGES LST CAPETOWN. Capetown hag suddenly found itself in the grip of the black peril. Hordes of natives, who were starving in the kraals, have descended on Capetown like swarms of black locusts. The black peril lurks about the slopes of f Table Mountain and the lonely spaces of ' the suburbs. White women out for a stroll have been suddenly attacked. Such outrages were unknown two years ago, but to-day they have become so frequent that no white woman living in the suburbs of Capetown will dare to venture cut after sunset.

A few weeks ago the wife of a British officer of high social standing suffered brutal outrage at the hands of an armed native, who intercepted her in broad daylight as she wag walking with a child on a road above the city. The native escaped, and has not been captured in spite of the offer of a reward of £IOO.

This is but one story of many. A number of outrages never reach the ears of the police, for the women dread publicity; but the peril has now become so dangerous that the whole city has taken the matter up

Clubs are being formed where white women are taught to use revolvers. Many women attend these shooting classes. Several women’s societies in Capetown have forwarded resolutions to various official quarters suggesting that adequate protection should be given to women and children during this terror. There is a demand for the restoration of the death penalty for such offences.

It is also asked that in Capetown, as in the Transvaal, natives should be compelled to live in special locations, and should not he allowed out after dark. The Mayor of Capetown hag cabled to England requesting hundreds of tents to be sent out immediately, and in these the natives will Be forced to live.