MOB LAW ON THE RAND.

Wairarapa Age, 11 March 1922, Page 5

MOB LAW ON THE RAND.

RED FLAG HOISTED. - A MAIL TRAIN DERAILED. (Press Association —Copyright.) Capetown, March 9. —The Johan-neshurg-Cape mail train was derailed last night near Germiston. There were no casualties. The derailment was a deliberate act, and was caused by loosening a rail and stretching a chain across. The engine was overturned. A number of railwaymen have left work under protest. They state that it' is impossible to continue without additional protection. The distribution of meat and bread has practically ceased. The water supply is maintained by departmental officials. The sanitary services are seriously interfered with. The natives engaged in the services are afraid to continue work. Yesterday’s casualties were 16 killed and 40 wounded. The behaviour of the natives so far is declared to be exemplary. The Durban Light Infantry have been ordered to mobilise. The strikers in Johannesburg hoisted the red flag on the main flagstaff in front of the Town Hall, and vowed that the commandos will close every business hi town. Large forces of police are held in readiness at vantage grounds, and are ready to rush any threatened point. East and West Rand are completely under mob law. The commandos swear to close down the whole of Witwatersrand. DURBAN AFFECTED. Capetown, March 9. —Durban is the first centre outside Johannesburg to respond to the call for a general strike. The local federation has decided to proclaim a general strike from to-moiTow afternoon. MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED. (Received 1.10 a.m.) Capetown, March 10.—Martial law has been proclaimed. There has been a remarkable response to the proclamation calling out the defence forces.—(A. and N.Z.) A BATTLE IN PROGRESS. (Received 1.20 a.m.) Capetown, March 10.—On the issue of the martial law proclamation a ■battle commenced between the strikers’ commandos and the police at Benoni, Brakpan, and the whole of the far East Rand.—(Reuter).