FREMANTLE RIOTS.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 May 1919, Page 6

FREMANTLE RIOTS.

MOB "RULE CONTINUES

TERRORISM OF THE TOWN

MAYOR CHASED BY RIOTEfiSj SYDNEY. May 12. An unsettled and serious condition of affairs continues at Fremantle. The wharf lumpers and their sympathisers having gained a temporary victory over the police and authority, are displaying brutality. They have persecuted the Nationalists—the men who worked the wharves during the seamen's strike, who were granted preference, and whose continued presence there has caused the present outbreak" by the extreme unionists—in a cn-el and barbarous manner. Not eontent with getting possession of the wharves they have followed the Nationalists into their homes and assaulted him.

A meeting of Nationalists was advertised at a place called Subiaco, Then came a rumour that thß" lumpers were to come in force from Fremantle and break up the meeting. The Mayor thereupon refused a permit for the holding of the meeting, and it was abandoned. No Nationalists "appeared, but at eight o'clock there duly arrived a contingent of drunken lumpers and their sympathisers. The Mayor appeared and told them that he had cancelled the meeting. The f filed mob thereupon turned in wrath upon the unfortunate Mayor and attacked him savagely. He was knocked down, struck and kicked. He fought free and dashed into a tobacconist's shop, the howling lumpers in pursmT The unhappy official went out through the back door, sealed two backyard fences and got away. The mob then amused itself by marching up and down the main street, singing and howling, and searching for the h«ses of Nationalists. The mob's leaders afterwards sougrrt out and apologised to the Mayor. They appeared to think —such is their extraordinary viewpoint—that they had mjftdc an ample explanation when, they said that their followers had mistaken the Mayor for one of the Nationalists.

Here is how a writer in v the West Australian describes the position in the West:

"For some months past revolution and violence have been openly advocated. A lawless spirit ha s spread and is still spreading but no organised attempt is made to check it or prevent it What has happened in Frcmantle will happen again with graver and more fatal results if we do not a'cT promptly. Intimidation is rampant, money is demanded from our shopkeepers and the mob is "exhorted to 'note' those who do not subscribe. Our business men are ordered not to serve or supply goods to men engaged in public duty. Citizens are chased through the streets and savagely assaulted. Anonymous letters are sent to public men and others, threatening them with personal violence. Because those guilty of these acts are allowed to go unpunished, they become more defiant. Surely it is time for some of our responsible citizens to do what-

ever is necessary to put an end to the present reign of terror, . Other information shoves that this is not an exaggerated account of what is going on in the West. But it is not known whether the Government there has weakly abandoned its authority or whether —which is more likely—it, having suffered a setback, is quietly concentrating all its forces before making a sudden attack upon the mob and reestablishing authority.

ANOTHE STREET SCENE. j MOB ATTACKS THE POLICE. I i A day or two after the serious riot at Fremantle at the beginning of the month a further disturbance occurred in which shots were fired, and several men were injured. Just about five o'clock a trooper passing along Market Street was set upon by several men. The trooper faced the crowd, but was gradually forced back towards the Commercial Travellers' Club. He was knocked to the ground . He was being badly handled when Sergeant West arrived and with difficulty he got the trooper to the Town Hall.

Here the crowd renewed its ait".'k. anri as the uneven contest "oatiuisd, the men. became, if anything, more enraged. The two police then retreated to a position in the grounds of St. John's Church, and aid came with, the arrival of Inspector Sellenger with reinforcements.

Pieces of ircn. were w.renched from the church fence, and with these pcn s the police were attacked, Sergeant Simpson received two severe l>lows on the head. Several shots wore fired by someone in the crowd, but unfortunately these did not ,ake effect. Finally, when one constable had "been kocked down, the police drew revolvers, and two shots were fired. Tl ir-se ha<l t-hc desired effect, and the Crowd drew back.

Inspector Scll3"£'.'r th:- r i withdiew Tiis men, and they relived sjowiy in

[•he direction of Queen street, bonibiv. Jed all the time with stones and other missiles.

On reaching Queen Street they turned in.the direction of the station, and there a shot was fired by a man in the crowd, the bullet striking the drill hall.

The crowd eventaaV.v dispersed,