Mr Smuts' Defence.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1914, Page 5

Mr Smuts' Defence.

‘TH£ DESGIM OF TERROR.’ 9 GRAPHIC PICTURE OF EVENTS. [l3t Electric Telegraph—Copyright] LUnited Press Association.] (Received 8.20 a.in.) Capetown, February -3. luteuse interest was taken in Mr Smutts’ speech. Mr Smuts drew a graphic picture of the reign of terror on the Hand, where “scans'’ were subjected to the grossest brutality ami where anarchy was so rampant- that civilians dared not assist the authorities with information and evidence, it was with July's experience that the Government acted in January. He ridiculed the Labour talk of constitutional methods after the July events had culminated. The situation since then necessitated the mobilisation of 100,000. The movement was no ordinary strike, but a Syndicalist conspiracy of an advanced type which was foiled in July. Poutsma, Bain and others determined on a new effort, and Bain’s exhortation to the workers to come armed to the Benoni meeting at the end of June revealed the true character of the leaders’ intentions. But for

the Imperial troops in July, the country would have been in a terrible position, and he (Mr Smuts) could never be sufficiently grateful for their help.

He admitted notifying the features of the compact with the leaders in July, hut chose tiie lesser evil.

Mr Smuts quoted the speeches of Poutsma, Bain and Waterston to show that they were revolutionaries of a dangerous type. Mr Smuts taunted the Labour mem1k >rs with being mere preachers, leading their followers to drink and then deserting them. Bain, Poutsma, and their colleagues were “doers.” The latter never intended there should be a settlement. It was their clear intention to goad the Government on to action that would promote a general strike. The facts made it clear that the syndicalists nearly succeeded in the settled intention to paralyse trade and terrorise the community into abject surrender. Xo invader could inflict greater destruction and firing greater disaster than the Syndicalists who conspired to bring the country to its knees. Mr Smuts described Bain, whom he first knew as- a secret service agent of the Transvaal Republic, as the most desperate character he had ever met. SAILED FOR AUSTRALIA.

One hundred and fifty Rand miners sailed by the Bernina for Australia.

INCITING THE STRIKE. Fignneira, who was arrested at the end of January for being in possession of explosives, was released, while Connerty, Xeild, Buckley, and Carson were committed for trial for inciting a strike. THE CASE OF THE DEPORTEDS.

Capetown, February 5

The Assembly has agreed to hear the deported Labourites’ counsel tomorrow.

EXPULSION OF STRIKE LEADERS

Capetown, February 4

The Indemnity Bill provides for the expulsion of Poutsma, Bain, Crawford, Waterston, Mason, ilcKerrell, Livingston and Morgan, on the ground that they created urm si among wageearners, notwithstanding lawful provision was made for the redress of alleged grievances : also that by their acts and conduct they caused great danger to persons and property of the South African Union and general detriment and loss to the communitv.

TELEGRAMS CENSORED.

London, February 4. Telegrams to Africa are now subject to censorship. STRIKE LEADER ESCAPES ARREST. London, February 4. John Wordingham, one of the leaders of the Transvaal Miners’ Association, .is visiting England. He received a letter from his wife saying that a warrant had been issued for his arrest while absent. This enabled him to escape deportation. END JUSTIFIED THE MEANS. (Received 11.80 a.m.) Capetown, February 5. Mr Smuts spoke for a further two hours, and finished amid general cheers, except from the Lahorites, who made no sensational disclosures. He argued that the exceptional nature of the -crisis and the success of martial law justified the proclamation, while the deportation was justified on tin' grounds of expediency and public policy.