MARTIAL LAW.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1974, 3 February 1914, Page 7

MARTIAL LAW.

STILL IN FORCE IN ORANGE RIVER COLONY. RAND FREE FROM CRIME. STRIKERS FLOCKING BACK TO WORK, By Telegraph-- Press Association--Copyright. (Rec. February 2, 9 p.m.) Johannesburg, February 2. The Government has returned the Railway Society's books, and the railway administration is dealing generously with re-engaged strikers. On the other hand, the situation in the Orange River Colony is depicted as less satisfactory, A message from Bloemfontein alleged that martial law is more drastically administered at Bloemfontein than anywhere in the Trasvaal. Strikers are forbidden to leave their houses at any time without special leave. It was an offence to supply a striker with food, funds, or assistance except that which was dealing with his ordinary course of business. This is one of the matters which General Hert zog wishes the proposed Select Committee to investigate. A Hertzogite candidate for the provincial Council in Orange River Colony told the electors that it was impossible, to trust General Botha because they might wake up some morning and find General Hertzog deported.

THE. DEPORTED MEN TRAVELLING FIRST CLASS (Rec. February 2, 9 p.m.) Caps Town, February 2 When the fuse was ignited and one of the improvised bombs discovered at Benoni on Saturday was thrown into the Kleinfontein dam, the explosion threw up dense volumes of water, showing the violence of the charges.

The police opened the deported men's final letters to their families before the letters were delivered, but apparently they did not throw any new light on the Governments coup. It is understood that the captain of the Umgeni was ordered to steam off the usual line of route in order to avoid risks of the boat being stopped. A fund is being organised in Johannesburg for the deported men's families. Two detectives accompany the men, who are travelling first-class, and who are being specially well treated. It is stated thar their only complaint is that they were not provided with linen collars. Three of them, reported, to be suffering from miners' phthisis occupy an upperdeck stateroom. The Umgeni will probably reach England on February 22

LORD GLADSTONE. LABOUR URGES HIS RECALL (Rec. February 2, 10.20 p.m.) London, February 2. Mr. Roberts M.P, speaking at Oldham, emphasised the importance of not neglecting political for trade Union action. He argued that if the workers left Parliament to the employers and declared a general strike, as was done in South Africa, some Botha in Britain would immediately declare, martial law and assume control of the community. While sympathising with the South African workers, they were constitionally not entitled to interfere with a selfgoverning Dominion. It was lamentable that General Botha who gallantly led the troops in the cause of the workers in the Boer War, should now be destroying the citizens' liberty.

Mr. Will Thorne M.P., at the building trade demonstration in Trafalgar Square, said that Lord Gladstone in July had made a blunder, but now he had made a bigger one, and it was the greatest outrage ever perpetrated on the liberties of the people, If the Government dared they would prevent the deported men from being landed In England. A resolution demanding Lord Gladstone's recall was carried unanimously. NEVER SINCE THE WAR. HAS THE RAND BEEN SO FREE FROM CRIME "Times"-Sydney '''Sun" Special Cables. (Rec. February 2, 5.30 p.m.) Johannesburg, February 1. The majority of the workers appear to welcome the suppression of the attempts at anarchy by the proclamation of martial law. Once, protection was assured they began to flock back to work.

A most striking testimony of the improved condition of affairs is to be found in the police records, Never since the war has the Rand been so free from crime.

The task of industrial reorganisation is proceeding smoothly.

A VAST DIFFERENCE. Sydney, February 2 The "Herald" Commenting on the South African deportations, says;—"As far as the circumstances have a bearing on Australian conditions, it can Only be said that public opinion would not for an hour tolerate similar action in this country. But there is a vast difference between South-Africa and the Anglo-Saxon States of the Empire. Whilst Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have no alien population, in South Africa, there are a million whites among four million blacks," VARIOUS ITEMS. Cape Town, February 1. It is reported that prominent Labour leaders aboard a fast tug unsuccessfully tried to sight the Umgeni, carrying the deported Labour men, Cape Point. Johannesburg, February 1. Mr. Bain, writing to his wife, states that the deported men were informed that free passages would be provided for their wives' and children. London, February 1. , The absence of important South African news attributed to the censorship preventing comments until the Indemnity Bill has been, submitted.