RIVAL FACTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 21096, 30 May 1930, Page 7

RIVAL FACTIONS

o RANGOON DISORDERS

WOMEN AND CHILDREN KILLED SHOCKING ATROCITIES (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Delhi, May 28. Although the situation has improved in Rangoon isolated assaults continue. Four thousand Indians and their families! were removed for safety from the Burmese quarter of the city. A gang of Burmese, threatening to attack the Indians yesterday, refused to lay down their arms when challenged by the police who fired, killing ten. Later, the Indians combined against the Burmese. The latter thereupon started looting the Indian shops and massacring women and children. The Indians retaliated, massacring .Burmese families in other parts of the city. Ghastly murders were enacted, members of both communities being disembowelled and their limbs hacked off with daggers and hatchets. The Burmese then fired the Indian quarters, killing the occupants as they ran from the blazing buildings.

FEROCITY OF MOBS FIFTY-TWO PERSONS DEAD. (Rec. 10.15 p.m.) Delhi, May 29. Later accounts emphasize the unbelievable ferocity of the Rangoon mobs. All Indians combined against the Burmese, who retaliated by looting Indian shops and massacring Indian women ancj children. Finally the Cameron Highlanders and the police established a cordon round the disordered area. The casualties are estimated at 52 dead and 1,000 injured, of whom 80 are not expected to survive. STATEMENT REQUESTED DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. BRITISH POLICY MISREPRESENTED. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, May 28. In the House of Lords, Lord Peel called for a statement on the situation in India. The fullest support should, he said, be given to the Government of India to crush and end the disorders, which seemed to be organized from a common centre. He suggested that instead of arresting the leaders in particular disturbances it was time to strike at the centres of the disturbances—the Congress Committee itself—and that a greater effort be made to counter the flood of misrepresentation of British policy in the vernacular Press.

Lord Reading said that what was new and serious' about the present disturbances was the evidence that an organization of civil disturbance had been set up. Civil disobedience could not be tolerated, and the Government must put forth all the weapons at its command to break it.

Earl Russell, Under-Secretary for India, having surveyed the situation in various centres, said there was no question of the loyalty of the Indian Army and he paid a tribute to the work of the Indian Police, who frequently were pelted by brickbats and insulted, and were not allowed to protect themselves except in a last resort. The Government had shown the utmost limits of patience and forbearance in quelling the disorders, and had resorted to firearms only when conditions made it absolutely necessary. Lord Russell paid a tribute to the Viceroy, who had shown immense patience, and had done nothing that could be regarded as provocative. The Government had assured him that he had its full and unstinted support.