CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1922, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

CIVIL WAR.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

FORDSBURG FIGHTING

(Received This Day at 8 a mi.) CAPETOWN, March 15. It is reported a number of Fordsburg reds were driven towards Lang- ■ ' ' laagte, where they are likely to fall ir 4 into the hands of Bnrghe'rs. Some buildings were severely damaged by artillery fire. An eye-witness states a number were hit in the street and left lying in the road crying for war ter. An attempt by people in nearby houses to assist them was- met by a, murderous rifle and revolver fire. It is believed two prominent red leaders, ; Fisher and Spendiff, were killed in Trades Hall. Fisher is said to be an Oxford man.

OFFICIAL REPORT. CAPETOWN, March 15,

An official communique states in the eastern area General Britts entered Springs releasing sixty nine police, who 'had gallantly defended their position. Generals Van Deventer ' and Britts have practically joined forces and are engaged in collecting prisoners.

A GALLANT FORCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 15

The Cape “Times” states one result of the fight at. Brixton suburb on Monday, was the relief of a strong police force, numbering 183, who proceeded to Brixton on Friday and were lost sight of ever since. The men put up an heroic fight against big odds. It is now learned they retired to the Veldt where they were cut off by hordes of revolutionaries and subjected to continuous attacks. They decided t-o fight to the end and returned the rebel fire with the utmost coolness. No food or water wa s obtainable and ammunition ran out and they had given up hope when they were sighted by an aeroplane, which informed the authorities and food and ammunition were conveyed to them. Shortly after the revolutionaries withdrew, but no doubt the gallant stand kept fifteen hundred armed ruffians engaged, and had a great effect on the course of events.

bed leaders killed. CAPETOWN March 15,

The Red leaders, Fisher and Spendiff were killed by shrapnel while making bombs at Trades Hall which was discovered to contain piles of bombs. Documents reported to be found indicate the red campaign, which included the seizure of Johannesburg, and also the execution and assassination lists of practically all the priminent Johannesburghers. Another case is reported oi Reds killing two natives wantonly. One was mutilated.

SITUATION MUCH EASIER

PARTICULARS of battle.

(Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) CAPETOWN, March 15

Indications that the situation is becoming normal, are afforded by- the Government restrictions on railway traffic to Johannesburg Being withdrawn. The situation at Pretoria remain quiet. The local Town Council s resolution condemning lawlessness and supporting the Government, was much appreciated. Boilermakers and moulders in the railway shops who struck on Monday in sympathy with the Johannesburg men, took a ballot resulting in a majority being against continuing the strike. Another significant fact is that the mines are restarting work, as local conditions permit. #t East Rand proprietary 250 men offered and one hundred were engaged. Refugees from Eordsbnrg give graphic details of the conditions while me Reds were in charge. Most of the plate glass windows in the principal stores were smashed. Wholesale looting followed the Eordsbnrg battle, and was still in progress.

When the clearing ;up of Jeppe a r ea commenced. the chief difficulty was not so much the strength of the Reds as the awkward conditions for dealing •with barricaded streets and houses. A house to house search is being continued. The damage to property through the Fqrdsburg bombardment is not so serious as anticipated. Only a portion in the neighbourhood of Market Sqnare suffered severely. The square was heavily entrenched all round, but when the bombardment commenced, the Reds showed no eagerness to occupy the trenches and firing was done mostly from neighbouring houses.

EEREI, LEADER SHOT. CAPETOWN, March 15

The reason why Market Square garrison in Fordsburg did not surrender when other groups of Reds hoisted the white flag, was that Percy Fisher a noted extremist of great influence, threatened to shoot anyone attempting to surrender. He was shot dead in the fighting. Commandant Klopper and sixty men of the garrison immediately gave in.

CAPE DECISION. HET7TF.jP 8 TEJiEGTIAMH. (Received This Day at. 12.25 p.m.) CAPETOWN, March ,15. The old Industrial Federation, as distinct from the augmented executive ai - nounc-es to-night firstly that the general strike i s null and void; secondly that of the augmented executive’s call of a mining strike ; thirdly that cornpublicity in the resolution to be repudiated.

MR SMTTTS’ POWER. (Received This Day at 1.5 p.m.) CAPETOWN, * March 15 fn a few short hours through the genius of Mr Smuts, Johannesburg was transformed irom a city of poisonous Red warfare, to a town of peace. Everyone is talking business as usual. Voluminous evidence exists of a Bolshevik plot. It is stated that the revelations will he astonishing.

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