THE BELFAST RIOTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2159, 15 August 1907, Page 2

THE BELFAST RIOTS

THE LATEST OUTBURST. SOLDIERY IMPUGNED. United Press Association —Copyright LONDON, August 13. Further details from Belfast show that- for hours the soldiers and- constables were subjected to a bombardment with paving stones and other missiles from 2000 to 3000 frenzied l>eople. Women carried aprons lull ot stones and other missiles to the upper window-s and joined in the fray. The troops, pursuing the rioters, used the butt ends of their rifles. From houses men hurled stones. Showers came back, throw-n by the troops. Mobs of miuldened men and w-omen rushed in various direction, cursing the military. Captain Welsh, military magistrate, called upon the crowd to disperse. Stones and groans were tlie only response. Eventually the order was given to the troops to fire. The Times and Daily Telegraph agree that the soldiery themselves, many of whom were wounded, became infuriated and charged down the streets with fixed bayonets, yelling. No sooner had the cavalry cleared the thoroughfare than the mob returned or surged up and down the sides of the streets, where their tactics were repeated. When 3000 maddened people were in possession of Falls’ road, the soldiers and mob were fighting hand to hand, and the troops were driven back. The position of the Belfast strikers is strengthened, inasmuch as they share the strike benefits of the General Federation of Trades Unions, consisting of a regular weekly payment to each striker, independently of any money voted by individual trades unions within the Federation.

A third death from wounds has occurred at Belfast. Many houses were completely wrecked. Several streets previously paved with stones have been entirely tom up.

FULL REPORTS ON THE RIOTS. THE MILITARY PRAISED. STRIKERS NOT RIOTING.

Received August 14, 10.13 p.m. LONDON, August 14. Mr. Haldane read military reports showing the forbearance and steadiness of the picket of the Berkshire Regiment oil Saturday, when threequarters of the mob were women and children, while the men, remaining in the rear, threw paving stones and bottles. The Middlesex Dragoons behaved admirably though mercilessly stoned at short range. The mob extinguished the street lamps and placed wire ropes across the street, impeding the cavalry picket. On Monday they wore hard pressed when the order to fire was given. Seven rounds were fired. His information was to the effect that the participators in the attacks were not strikers but the mob.

The military reports shewed that trouble was mainly in, the Nationalist quarter of Falls’ road.

PACIFICATION PROMISED. Received August 14, 10.9 p.m. LONDON, August 14. The Lord Mayor of Belfast received a large deputation of leading Catholics in the Falls’ road district and decided not to send troops to the disturbed area unless rioting was renewed, the deputation promising to use their best endeavors to prevent a recurrence. Many priosts talked to the people. Air. J. Devlin, M.P. and Mr. Darken addressed a meeting and induced the people to go to their homes.

THE WOMEN RIOTERS. EVERYTHING NOW QUIET,

Received August 14, 10.9 p.m. LONDON, August 14. One of the ltoytal Engineers’ searchlight companies and apparatus has been hurried to Belfast.

When the troops returned to the barracks on Monday night they lrad beeu under intermittent onslaughts for seven hours. The Rifle Brigade and the Sussex Regiment bore stlie brunt. The troops separated the Nationalist and Protestant quarters. The Protestants loudly, cheered the troops. Women rioters loosened stones, and for hours participated in stone-throwing. Everything is quiet now.

UNIONISTS MILLING TO ARBITRATE.

AIR, "GRAYSON SQUELCHED

Received August 14, 10.13 p.m. LONDON, August 14. In the House of Commons Air. Biorrell, answering questions, mentioned the willingness of the trades unionists in Belfast to arbitrate. He was hopeful of an early and satisfactory result. The Board of Trade had placed two representatives at the disposal of the two parties. Questioned regarding Air. Go raysou’s speech, Air. Birrell remarked that this was not a time to pay much attention to wild language to which no importance was attached by any man. (Belfast cheers.) lie added:—“The Belfast people, with all their faults, a.rc un- - 1 1!“-!>• to get any guidance from Air. Grayson’s speech.” cheers.)