Stern Measures.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 16, 19 January 1914, Page 5

Stern Measures.

SOUTH AFRICAN STRIKE.

MARTIAL LAW CONTINUES.

RAILWAY MEN RESUMING.

(By l Electric Telegraph—Copyright]

[United Press Association

Capetown, January 17

It is understood there will not be any relaxation of martial law restrictions, or any alteration in the military dispositions until the strike is absolutely ended and normal conditions restored. The authorities are considering as to the prosecution of 43 of the principal Salt River strikers under the Railway Service Act.

One of the men arrested at the Trades Hall has been charged with attempted murder. He fired a shot during the detectives’ raid. • Pretoria, January 17.

Boybell, a Durban labor legislator, and Kentridge, chairman of the Labprites, have been arrested. Capetown, January 17.

The Mayor of Pretoria, whose arrest was reported yesterday, had gone to the strike headquarters to discuss matters with a view to mediation, and, while so engaged, the police arrived on the scene, and he was arrested with others, martial law being no respecter of persons. ' I

GENERAL STRIKE ABANDONED.

A SOLDIER ACCIDENTALLY SHOT.

Capetown, January 17

Large numbers of strikers are returning throughout the country, especially in Braamfontein and Bloemfontein.

Johannesburg, January 17

Ernest Prescher, a private in the Transvaal Scottish, died in the hospital. It is understood that he was shot by a picket of his own regiment through a misunderstanding after being thrice challenged; Mr Hoy, General Manager of Railways, telegraphed to his affected centres' that it must be distinctly understood that re-employed strikers or their wives who use opprobious terms, or intimidate the loyal men, do so on penalty of the men’s dismissal. A Labor legislator named Cresfcwell has been arrested. * TRAMS FULLY STAFFED. Capetown, January 18. Cresswell was arrested when attempting to address the strikers. Sufficient tramway men have signed on to insure a full service. Johannesburg, January 18.

The Evening Chronicle (a Labor paper) appears with the leader column blank, except'the phrase: “The matter in this column has been censored.” Apart from the Pretoria men, practically the whole of the Transvaal, Free State and Natal railwaymen have returned. THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. (Received 8.15 a.m.) Pretoria, January 18. It is officially intimated that it is not the policy of the Government to arrest strikers as strikers. The wholesale arrests at Benoni were effected with deliberate intention by the Government.

UNFOUNDED REPORT.

Johannesburg, January 18

The report of the attempt to wreck the main line apparently arose from the incident of a man having been seen miming off on the approach of the patrol. The line was undamaged.

RESUMPTION OF THE SERVICE.

Johannesburg, January 18

Hoy states that more men are now offering than are required. The resumption of the normal service early this week, however, provides for a large number for whom the Administration is presently unable to find places.

LABOR PARTY’S PROTEST. (Received 8.25 a.m.) London, January 18

The National Council of the Independent Labour Party has requested Mr Kerr Hardie to forward to Mr Harcourt (Secretary of. State for the Colonies) a protest hy the South African Labour Party denouncing the Union Government’s despotism and connivance at Viscount Gladstone and the Colonial Office in arresting the leaders, suppressing the constitution, and proclaiming martial law. The protest expressed the hope that the workers would resist “Russianising” British institutions.