THE AMRITSAR RISING

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1919, Page 2

THE AMRITSAR RISING

startling evidence. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (United Service Telegrams), LONDON, December IS. t Evidence before the Commission of Enquiry at Lahore, into the Amritsar risings in April, is causing a sensation among the public. It appears a general rising was threatened in Punjab, recalling the Indian mutiny. .General Dyer, Commanding the loyalist troops, ordered indiscriminate shooting, with the result that, five hundred natives were killed and fifteen hundred wounded. The Punjab outrages included Hie tutting of telegraph wires, the burning of three bank officials, the murder of a railway guard, burning of the town hall and public offices at Amritsar. General Dyer, in his evidence, stated that when he found his orders were disobeyed, he had to do something ptrong. I shot well and strongly 1650 rounds lasting ten minutes. The crowd had defied the law, and no middle course was possible, so 'I fired until I ran out of ammuniton. Asked if his idea was to strike terror, .General Dyer said— f‘l did not intend frightfulness, but had to give them a lesson. He thought that froma military point of view the shooting would have made the widest impression in Punjab. Tlie Lieutenant-Governor wired, approving of the action. Miss Sherwood, a missionary, whilst cycling had been beaten with shoes, and' sticks and left for dead. Dyer- said we look upon women as sacred, therefore I ordered the streets to be picketed' from 6 in the morning until 8 in the evening. No Indian was allowed to pass in except by crawling on his hands and knees. He merely wanted to keep the ulaee secure.