SOUTH AMERICAN STRIKES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 18

SOUTH AMERICAN STRIKES.

STRIKES AND RIOTS IN ARGENTINE.

(By Cable)

The strike is spreading. Battles between the strikers and Government forces are raging in all parts of the city. Cavalry has occupied the meat markets, to assure the distribution of food and prevent starvation. ; Tho Government has mobilised an additional 10,000 White Guards, who have been ordered to quell violence at any cost. Already there have been 200 casualties. - Tho strike has been engineered by foreign Bolshevist agitators. Prior to tho settlement of the strike the riots resulted in 72 deaths and more than 800 people were injured. General Dellepane, who has assumed a dictatorship in connection with the strikes, gave as his reason for his appointment the Government's inability to cope with tho strikers. Women and children have been warned off the streets of Buenos Aires because the Government is unable to protect them. Newspapers were burned in the streets by the mobs, which would not permit any to circulate with the exception of La Vanguardia, a semi-Socialist publication. The Russians are responsible for the strike. In _ some instances soldiers refused to strike. Serious disorders followed a public funeral of five victoms of the strike. The rioters burned a passenger - train and . tore up the tracks, thus paralysing the traffic on the Pacific rail-; way. They burned a Catholic church, and also the adjoining school. The police have discovered a secret organisation, composed of Russian Bolshevists, who contemplated organising up-~ risings. They were plentifully supplied with explosives. Several arrests were made. Of the Russians arrested in connection with the strike, four leaders are reported to have confessed that Isaac Malinoff, the ringleader, was a propagandist from Russia. The United Press Buenos Aires correspondent reports that President Irigoyen asked the Argentine Congress to declare a state of siege and call out the reserves of the 1896 class. Desultory, street fighting continues, jdespite the settlement of the strike. Members of the alleged Soviet who were arrested deny any connection with the Russian Bolshevists. The State Department learns that the . Buenos Aires disorders resulted in 800: persons being killed 'and 500 wounded. One hundred and fifty suspects in connection with the-Bolshevist movement have been arrested, incuding Chose who were to hold the offices of President and chief, of police and other important positions under the new regime. Reports from the interior state that the movement is spreading to the principal cities, notably Rosario, where a general strike has been initiated. The strike plans at Montevideo were throttled. Argentine despatches from Buenos Aires say that riots and shooting in the streets continue. Mobs have burnt the Central Wool Markets, but the situation is improving. - Five Argentine provinces are asking for j» Government troops, as' the strikes and . riots .are spreading. STRIKES AT LIMA. The New ' York Times. Lima correspondent states: Mobs of strikers attacked the arsenal, but were driven off by troops. , The rioters attempted to burn the Callao railway station. All hotels and restaurants are closed, and a food problem is threatening. Despatches from Lima say that the strikers attacked the lighting plant, and the city is in darkness, while connection between Lima and Callao is cut off. Business is paralysed.