AUSTRALIAN HEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN HEWS

SENSATIONAL OUTBREAK IN , GERMAN CAMP "BLACK HAND" SOCIETY. By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright Sydney, May 3. were sensational disclosures at an inquiry into the death, of Hans Portman, a German prisoner of war interned at Holdsworthy Camp. The' Commandant, in his evidence, said that numerous brutal assaults had .been committed in one compound, and men were taken to hospital with broken ribs and fractured skulls. He was informed that the outrages were tha result of tho formation, of a "Black Hand" Society, consisting of 30 or 40 members; who threatened the lives of moneyed or influential persons if they did not pay certain sums into a political organisation which existed in the camp, and had been instigated by influential people for the furtherance of political ends in the camp. When they had done with the president, they clubbed him over tho head and fired him out. Seve-. ral disturbances arose on April 19,culminating in two thousand; prisoners armed with cudgels maltreating several so-called members of the "Black; Hand" Society. Four of these, covered in blood and gravel, were thrown over tha compound gate. They were picked up and taken to One, ' named I'ortman, died a few minutes later. The Commandant 6tated that he could not prevent trouble unless ho shot a number of Germans, which would be inhuman, as the prisoners were thereby ridding themselves of the criminal element. He had since interned fifteen suspected members of the "Black Hand," and tho disturbances had ceased.

THE CABINET CRISIS IN NEW SOUTH WALES . HOW THE CAUCUS VOTED. Sydney, May 3. The voting of the Labour Caucus on the acceptance of the resignation of the Ministry was 17 to 9. The Ministers did not vote. _ During the debate Mr. M'Girr and Mr. Thrower, members for Yass and Macquarie respectively, wrote out their resignations, to lie .handed to the Speaker; but on a vote of tho Caucus the resignations were destroyed. The Labour Conference has not discussed the position.

NEW LEADER APPOINTED. (Rec. May 3, 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, May 3. The Labour Caucus has elected Mr. John Story, member for Balmain, as the new leader of tho Labour Party in the New South Wales Parliament. A delegation will attend the Labour Conference to-hight to make a further statement.

HOLMAN CABINET TO STAY IN , OFFICE. (Rcc. May 4, 1.35 a.m.) Sydney, May 3. Tlio Holnian Government will remain in office. After the delegation's explanations to the Labour Conference, it was resolved that, having heard that the Government had agreed to accept the conference's proposals regarding the abolition of the Legislativo Council, tho conference expressed confidence in the ability of the Ilolman Government to carry out its promises.

BID GOAL ORDER. TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT. AT NEWCASTLE. (Rcc. May 3, 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, May 3. As the result of appeals to relieve unemployment at the Newcastle collieries, the Federal authorities arc placing orders for 100./)00 tons of conl.