POLICE V. BLACKS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18363, 22 April 1925, Page 9

POLICE V. BLACKS.

CLASH IN BLOEMFONTEIN. CASUALTIES AND ARRESTS. (BY CABLF. -PRK3S ASSOCIATION—I'O?YB,IOHT v IAUSTIIAUAX ASD S.X. CABLE ASSOCIATION.! CAPE TOWN. April 20. An ugly situation has developed :;' Blocmfontoin in the native location. An attempt by the police to interfere with a native beer drinking orgy wa> resisted by a mob of 4000 natives. The police were compelled to retire after a native had been killed and several police wouuded. Subsequently the local detente lore* was culled out. and picketed the strcct.iu fear of a native attack on the town. The natives maintained a menacing attitude, but the Minister of Justice. Mr Tielman Roos. stated in the Assemblv that the position was easier. A railway regiment and police are standing-by. All was quiet in Bloemfontcin in the evening. The city was guarded by police and civiliau patrols. Fifty of the native ringleaders haw been arrested. To-dny's casualties among the natives, so far as they are at present known, include four killed, three seriously injured, and eighteen slightly injured. Two Europeans were seriously hurt. Later details show that a special force of police, armed only with ptekhahdlcs, was sent to the location to disperse the natives. A reserve force was stationed outside, armed with rifle* and fixed bayonets, but the strictest orders were issued that no rifle was to be tired without distinct orders. The police met with a stout resistance, and many were injured by flying stones. The reserve was brought in, and. in the end, was foreed to fire. The previous estimate of the native casualties has been confirmed.