BATTLE BETWEEN NATIVES AND STRIKERS.

Otaki Mail, 10 March 1922, Page 4

BATTLE BETWEEN NATIVES AND STRIKERS.

MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED. RAILWAY LINE BLOWN UP, I ' . Capetown, March 8. All attempts to call out the railway j men hitherto have failed, so a general strike up to the present has not eventuated, although owing to the niteul shied intimidation campaign, two mines have been compelled to temporarily close. The commandos are now largely composed of bands oi hooligans. The railway between Germistoii ami Pretoria has been interrupted, and a number of telephone lines cut. ihe signal station at Jeppes in the centre of Johannesburg was held up at midnight, and masked men blew up the railway above the subway. All trains were blocked for hours. The attacks on natives at Voededorp were resumed this morning. 'They were chased in all directions at the -point of the revolver. The women and children took refuge in the homes of Europeans. A pitched battle occurred at Ferreiras between bands of strikers and natives. The former attacked in a cold-blooded manner. The police eventually restored order. An aeroplane squadron is circling over the town, The latest report states six natives were killed and i!) wounded in various attacks. The president of the men's federation has issued a notice that attacks on natives must cease. The strikers, on observing anyone attacking natives, must hand the offenders-over to the authorities. In the Legislative Assembly Mr Boydeil, the Labour leader, said the Rand was rapidly drifting into civil war. He looked to the Premier to end the situation by other means than toe complete surrender of the men.

Mr Smuts admitted ihere had been a good deal of indiscriminate lawlessness and intimidation, but the police believed they were gradually controlring the situation. There was no doubt the organised workers were losing control, which was largely in the hands of the hooligan element. He could not allow matters to develop Into a state of anarchy and mob law. Unless there was a distinct improvement immediately the Government would be compelled to" take extra measures.