Brigands’ Raids on British

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1922, Page 4

Brigands’ Raids on British

RANCHES SACKED AND OWNERS , KILLED. LONDON, Dec. 13. ' A Land of brigands under the leadership of a notorious bandit named Tos- ( . cano, lias been attacking and killing (British residents and ranch owners in a large district of Argentina between .Lago (Lake) Argentine and Lago ißuenos Aires. As a result the 'British '.Government 'has asked the Argentina authorities to restore order and safej guard .'British life and property. | Private .cablegrams received in Lon- | don show that Toscano organised annied attacks on the largest British 1 ranches in revenge for the imprisonment, of 7 of his gang captured several i .weeks ago. In the last few days Tosi cano and his brigands have attacked ranches in Southern Argentina at Mata; Grande, Canadon Pardo, and Colniena, belonging to Mr Robert Patterson, whose houses at each of these places were burned down and bis horses stolen, while a number of bis men were taken prisoners. The British Consul at Buenos Aires lias cabled that Mr Herbert Robins, a ranch owner, who was taken prisoner in an assault near Santa Cruz, committed suicide while in the hands of J Toscano’s brigands. ! Other ranches attacked are those known as the Douglas establishments at Rincon de Los Moros, the most im-

portant in Southern Argentina. Two attacks were made, and the manager, Mr Taylor, was captured, together with horses, stores, arms and ammunition. Mr Stallard, Mr Charles Reynard, and a number of other British settlers whose names are at present unknown, are reported to have escaped from the brigands into Chile but fears are entertained as to their fate. WARSHIP BREAKDOWN.

Toscano is said to have destroyed all te'ldgraph and telephone communication on the attacked ranches, and his gang lias instituted a reign of terror from Lago Argentino to Lago Buenos Aires. The Argentine Government sent the warship Almirante 'Brown, with 400 troops on board, to one of the ports in Southern Argentina, but owing to a breakdown in the machinery when only 500 miles out the vessel returned to Buenos Aires. This delay has given the brigands ample time to compk’t their plans, and a private cable from Port San Julian shows that a large area has fallen into tho hands of Tos-

co no and his men. Many of the large ranches attacked are stated to have been completely sacked. They are now deserted and all work is at a standstill. This is particularly serious in view of the ap-

proach of the shearing season. Flocks numbering hundreds .of thousands are unattended, and the consequent loss to ranch owners means ruin.