WHEN THE FIGHT STARTED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18430, 14 March 1922, Page 5

WHEN THE FIGHT STARTED.

PRECONCERTED SIGNALS. AEROPLANES AND LEWIS GUNS. CAPETOWN, March 11. A Johannesburg message says a report from Eenoni states that firing commenced early on Saturday morning round the W’orkers’ Hall, where several casualties occurred to both sides, also among the spectators. Foot police advanced up several streets. Firing also occurred in a plantation near a lake on the outskirts of the town and continued tor two hours. Ambulances were busy. At nine o’clock aeroplanes arrived and scouted in various directions and fired warning flares. They were greeted by scattered shots. Three circles over the Workers’ Hall and one over the lake, sniping being continued there. A rattling fire of Lewis guns from aeroplanes had a quietening effect. Protests are arriving from native bodies in all parts of the union against attacks by strikers on the native Rand. Several strike leaders, including members of the Federation executive were arrested at Durban. Light Infantry left Durban for an unknown destination, presumably the strike area. Capetown regiments of the defence force have been warned to be in readiness. This morning’s attack was the result of a pre-arranged plan of attack on the police and mine officials, some of whom were murdered in cold blood. The signal for the risings was given by explosives all along the reef. Urakpan is already virtually in the hands of the strikers. Benoni strikers mobilised under 1 the pretence that a native rising was | expected.