A MINE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1922, Page 2

A MINE DISASTER.

AUSTRALIAN ANI/ N.Z. CABI.F. ASSOCIATION. J OVER 100 ENTOMBED. NEW YORK, November 22. At Birmingham, in Alabama, one hundred miners are repoited to have been buried through a coal mine explosion in Dolomite. Four hundred miners descended, of whom the majority escaped, but the number entombed is not yet able to be estimated. OWNERS TO BLAME. NEW YORK, November 22. A message from Barnesboro, in Pennsylvania, states that a Coroner’s jury has held the management of the Reilly Mine responsible for the mine disaster at Spanger (cabled on November 6) on the ground that they knew that gas had accumulated in the mine and yet they took no proper precautions: PARTICULARS OF DISASTER. ESTIMATED 100 LIVES LOST. (Received this dnv at 5.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 Birmingham mine , explosions which occurred in Dolomite, appears to have had more serious consequences than at first estimated. The roll call shows at least 200 men are still underground. The rescuers have encountered so many dead that the fatalities are estimated to he at least 100. It is hoped the remaining hundred are still alive, for one bulwark behind which these are expected to be, is apparently uninjured by the force of the explosion which it is believed was due to the ignition of coal dust from a short circuit on an • electrically driven coal car. The explosion was so great that window panes were broken a mile distant and the tip load at the mouth of the mine ignited

Spanish Sensation.

WHOLESALE BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MADRID, November 22. The Chamber was crowded to hear General Picasso’s report dealing with the debacle at Mellilla in-July 1921 when ten thousand Spanish soldiers were slaughtered. Prieto in opening the debate said the disaster would have produced a- revolution in any other nation. Blame was attributable to every politician who embroiled himself with Morocco. Amazing corruption infected all branches of the military service in the Spanish zone, several of the Army Chiefs acquired immense fortunes in Africa. Speculations assumed such vast proportions that a majority of the officers used their positions to enrich themselves. They had to look for the chief culprits in Madrid. Prieto accused not only the War Minister and Foreign Secretary hut the whole Government. His indictment created a sensation.