MINERS' ARMY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 311, 26 August 1932, Page 5

MINERS' ARMY

(Press. Assn.-

STRIKERS ON MARCH MORE INDUSTRIAL TROUBLE THREATENS IN U.S.A. BATTLE WITH POLICE

-By Telegraph— Copyright).

Rec. Aug. 25, 7.10 p.m. New York, Aug. 24. The New York Times correspondent at Benton, Illinois, says that several are reported killed and many injured, when police ofof an army of striking coal-miners, ficers checked the advance guard estimated at between 10,000 and 20,000, who were invading Franklin county in an attempt to "persuade" 1200 miners who are continuing work despite the wage cut from 6 doilars lOcents per day to 5 doilars, to join their movement. Automobile caravans of strikers converged on Franklin throughout the day from the neighbouring counties. The traffic police attempted unsuceessfully to divert the strikers in different directions. Three hundred officers and specially deputised sheriffs, armed with revolvers, rifles and machine guns prepared to resist the invasion, and protect the working miners. The situation is serious, and the early mobilisation of the National Guard and the declaration of martial law are believed likely. The strikers, among whom are many women, declare themselves unarmed. However they are in a bitter mood and when warned that they would not be permitted to enter the country, sent back word that they were going in and to cancel the orders. It is believed that the main body encamped overnight, preparatory to moving when the miners start work in the morning.