THE AFTERMATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 54, 9 July 1913, Page 5

THE AFTERMATH.

THE JOHANNESBURG STRIKES,

COLD-BLOODED MURDERS."

[By Electric I elegrami—Copyright] [Sydney Sun Special Cable.]

Johannesburg, July S

The amalgamated engineers have cabled to the executive m London to organise a demonstration at Trafalgar

.Square as a protest against/the coidblooded murders in Johannesburg. i'Jie Worker, the official organ of the Soutn African Laborites, states that war having been declared in the shape of a strike on the Maud, they must light not to a finish but to victory, which means bringing the public and Parliament to their senses and their knees.

'J lie Cape Times asserts that the strikers demand that the soldiers or police shall be identified ior having fired oil' the croud and stand their trial.

FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS

Johannesburg, July 8.

Twelve thousand trade unionists attended the funeral of the victims of the shooting. A vast crowd thronged the route. The cortege was unable to proceed, and made a detour to the cemetery. Bishop Furse, Anglican, exhorted the assemblage at the graveside to return to their homes peacefully. None wanted to see further disorder and bloodshed. The spokesman of the Trades-Federation made a similar appeal, adding: "Let no man have a chance to say we are a disorganised rabble." The Socialist Party's wreath was inscribed: "In memory of our martyrs, foully murdered in cold blood by the capitalist class." The Socialists outside the cemetery sang "The Red Flag." Mrs Fitzgerald, a prominent agitator, was arrested for making an inflammatory speech in the centre of the

city. The Transvaal Minors' Association

have instructed the/miners to obey the Federation and return to work.

MILITARY IN READINESS

The forces employed in quelling the strike disorder consisted of 730 Hus-

sars and Dragoons, and 2400 of the Scots Fusiliers, Bedfords and South Staffords. Three thousand police have the Cornea House still strongly guarded, owing to renewed threats to blow it up. Attempts made during the night to dynamite the railway line between Johannesburg and Germiston failed. Practically every gunsmith's and jeweller's shop in the central area was looted, despite the authorities adopting greater precautions. A strong contingent of troopers are standing by their arms, within striking distance of the danger spots.

Two hundred and fifty railwaymen assembled in front of the Government ■•• • i buildings at Pretoria, awaiting the result, of the deputation. They noticed the Union Jack flying over the building, and demanded that it should bo lowered to half-mast. Two workmen, one of whom carried a revolver, ascended the roof and saw that the demand was carried out. At a conference of strike leaders with Gen. Botha and Mr Smuts, the miners declined the amnesty for the men guilty of blowing up buildings and of incendiarism. The Government refusad to recognise the militants, and will probably not receive their deputation.

TROUBLE NOT OVER YET.

The three strike leaders state that the full terms of the settlement embrace more than the document signe:l ou Saturday. They resent the conditions' that the miners will only be given employment as wanted, and insist that provision should be made for tin; men unable to return to work forthwith, which is more important than providing for strike-breakers. The theory has been advanced 'that the leaders of the strike, in order to strengthen their position and weaken the militants, are endeavouring to make out that they have concluded a better bargain than they actually did. No newspapers were published today.

The raihvaymen's executive lias resolved that if the miners decide to continue the strike, a general strike of railwaymen will be declared.

THE NATIVES IN REBELLION

(Received 9.15 a.m.)

The natives in the village at the main reef of the city and suburban mines struck for more pay, and troops are held in readiness. Many of the natives in imitation of the white strikers are wearing red rosettes, erroneously believing that the whites struck for more pay which they received. The native labor leaders are endeavouring to induce the natives to resume.

A thousand Kaffirs in the Meyer and Charlton mines broke out of the compound, and returned when the troops appeared, but refused to descend the mine.

The situation among tho whites is improving. Tho strikers are resuming, and the banks and shops are opening, and the newspapers are publishing,