ADVICE FROM AUSTRALIA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 13, 15 January 1914, Page 5

ADVICE FROM AUSTRALIA.

IN SOUTH AFRICA STRIKE.

STATE v. SYNDICALISM.

THE STRIKE "UNANIMOUS."

jfBT Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association. 1

Capetown, January 14. ' Martial law covers .the principal districts in the Transvaal, Orangia,. and Natal, through which the main lines pass, and includes Durban, Maritzburg, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Pretoria, but does not affect the Cape province. It is estimated that about 70,000 of "the active defence force and reserves will be under arms in the Transvaal, Orangia. and Northern Natal They will largely be composed of ex-irregulars and burghers]' consequently they are war veterans. Twenty thousand men will, be concentrated at Johannesburg and the Reefs, several thousands at Pretoria and other centres, and the remainder will he occupied in picketing and patrolling several thousand miles of main lines'. The Federation delegates sat till a late hour with closed doors. When the decision was announced, there were scenes of the gratest enthusiasm in the council room, delegates waving their hats and handkerchiefs and cheering vociferously. One excited delegate thrust a hand through the.window and shouted the word "unanimous" to the crowd of 5000. outside, but they did not guess what the word meant, hence there was no demonstration.

Renter's Johannesburg correspondent states that the Federation announced that the ballot' shows four to one in favour of a general strike, which begins forthwith, but some sections are to be allowed to work to-morrow's shift. .'

QUESTION OF FOOD SUPPLY.

Capetown, January 14

The tram way men carried a resolution to strike if they were called out.

With reference to the Bakers' Unbread, to the defence forces and the police,, legislator Quinn, one of the largest of the Johannesburg bakers, declared that it was quite impossible to recognise this. He would himself, with volunteers, go to the bakehouse and mate bread/ first to supply the hospitals, and then other places should receive the best attention possible. He anticipated that manufacturers could keep the town sufficiently supplied. Four hundred tons of food and fruit arrived to-day.

• An armed patrol saw a man placing dynamite on the railway line near Geogegoch station. The patrol, fired, but missed the man, who was identified, and he escaped.

STRIKE ORDER CONFINED TO TRANSVAAL AND FREE STATE.

MANY TRADES DISPOSED TO STRIKE IN THE CAPE.

(Received 9.25 a.m.)

Capetown, January 11

The railway situation at Salt Eiver and other points in the Cape Province is rather better tins morning.' The proclamation of martial law in the northern provinces and the exceptionally drastic regulations are supposed to be having a steadying effect on waverers. Various trades in Capotown, nevertheless, are discussing the advisability of striking, and many are strongly disposed thereto. The Governor-General's proclamation was placarded in the streets of the city as in other centres of the Union, and applies equally to the Cape Province. Except so far as martial law concerned the Federation, the general strike order applies for the present only to the Transvaal and the Free State.

It is understood that the Cape Federation will call a general strike in the Cape Province or not, according to circumstances.

DYNAMITE ON THE RAILWAY.

"DECKS CLEARED FOR ACTION."

Johannesburg, January 14

Dynamite continues to be found on the railway. A quantity was discovered this morning at Booysens on the rear line by a patrol of Imperial Light Horse.

The "Transvaal Leader" states that the decks are cleared for action and the struggle between the State and Syndicalism has begun. The only hope remaining is for it to De fought to a final conclusive issue.

UNION PAPER SUSPENDS PUBLICATION.

The "Mail" anticipates its publication will be suspended for a time in conssquence of it beinc a traiTe union office, while one of its competitors being a non-Union office will continue uninterrupted. The "Mail" considers the position scarcely likely to furnish a very strong incentive to other employer* to foliow the "Mail's" example, and proceeds: "The fault is not that of the system wherein we still believe, but of the madmen who rule the Federation to-day, and seem determined to lead all who will follow them .to rai«»" The "Mail" tenders its

sympathy with those who forced cooperation in achieving their own ruin and shattering their own ideals.

"THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM."

SYMPATHY FROM AUSTRALIA.

A copy of the following cable was posted outside the Trades Hall from Mr Hunt, secretary of the Federation, Perth, Western Australia:—"To the secretary of the Federation, Johannesburg: Sympathy in your struggle for freedom; financial assistance if wanted ; hold out ; whole of Australia with you in your fight against Botha Government." The Trades Hall is now barricaded with boxes, liquor cases, and furniture, mainly at the back of the hall, but the main door is also barricaded.