RIOTS IN BROOME.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2143, 28 December 1920, Page 19 (Supplement)

RIOTS IN BROOME.

TRUCULENT JAPANESE. *T> ALL WHITES ARMED. The Perth correspondent of the -Syd» ney "Sun" gives the following additional details of the racial riots at Broome, West Australia:— For some time past indented Japanese in Broome have been very cheeky, declaring openly that, they are as good as white men, and claiming racial equality. Affairs reached a climax last night, when a riot occurred, resulting in two . Japs "being killed and several others, also many Koepangers, being injured. Early last night Sergeant Spry attempted to rescue two Koepangers from the Japs, calling on Fisheries Inspector Stuart to help. Both white men were slightly injured. Dick Francis, a white man, attempted to assist the Koepangers on the schooner Gwendoline, and received a nasty gash on the face_ Early tljis morning the Riot Act was read to the crowd. Practically all the whites have been sworn in as special constables. Returned soldiers and members of the rifle club were called out and are patrolling the town under exA.I.F. officers, disarming the Japs, who all through the night paraded the streets armed with sticks and firearms. >

Malays Threaten Attack. The Malays are holding aloof, but are threatening to attack the Japs if the , whites are further molested. The Japs were responsible for the whole fracas. It is locally agreed that the majority should be deported. Indented men have been acquiring big . business interests here for some time past. The concerns are being managed by educated Japanese, who are here on the plea of gaining commercial expert- <' ence. It is a wonder to everybody why the Commonwealth allows so many to * remain here under the pretext of commercial "experience. The hotels lave aH been closed by the police. Inspector Thomas, of Broome, this, morning wired the Commissioner of Police at Perth: "Last night the Japanese alleged .that the Koepangers stoned a Japanese. They collected a thousand strong' and searched, armed with clubs, for Koepangers. In the melee that ensued>fwo Japanese were killed and three Koepangers badly injured. All the whites of Broome have been sworn in as specials, and patrolled the town during the night. A 5 o'clock this morning the Japanese restarted the search and wounded two Koepangers and two white men protected the Koepangers. One was speared in the arm and the other beaten with sticks over the forehead.

"R.S.L. members gathered at the police station, armed, under Captain Bardwell, at my request, and conducted patrols during the night. AIL wbitesi are now mustered at the police station,' armed, and parties are sent to various calls from parts of town visited by the Japanese mobs. The Riot Act was read by the magistnrtt? this morning. Great forbearance has been shown by the whites. - Although they are practically all armed, no, shot ha? been fired by them. / . "If this state of affairs' continues I fear more bloodshed."

December is always regarded as a troublesome month in BrOeme. which is the headquarters of the pearling fleet. Boats go into the creek near the town anty lay up over the summer. The first . of the fleet begin to arrive about jthe , • end of November, and the. remainder come in between then and Christmas week.' Consequently it can be stated that the whole of the fleet is now laid up and the crews ashore. A few years ago when Japanese began to cast Malays and Koepangers" fr«m the racial feeling ran high, and the Japanese Club and the Melay Club became the headquarters for the respective , nationalities, the Japanese at the time I becoming so truculent that they purchased all the available arrns and ammunition in the town. Fortunately, however, clashes between the two races never developed into anything more than melees in which sticks and stones were used. The most populous pari of Broome is the Japanese town, with its galvanised iron buildings allhuddled, together. One of the main stores in the town is conducted by a Japanese firm in their own quarters. The Japanese maintain all their national mannerisms, customs and dress. "A Dog's Life." A Broome resident, who has just arrived, in Fremantle, w,hen informed of the happening at Broome, said that . trouble had been, brewing there for a' . considerable time,' as the Japanese had been getting very .aggressive,,. and holding themselves superior to every-' body.. It was necessary to send out one white man with seven Japanese Jn each pearling boat. The Japanese had been leading these unfortunate Europeanes a dog's life. There aje 1200 Japanese in Broome. , '