LABOR WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1922, Page 5

LABOR WAR.

BATTLE IN AMERICA. “CARNIVAL OF BLOOD.’' MANY MEN KILLED. By Telegraph.—Press Assh.-—Copyright. Received June 23, 11.25 p.m. New York, June 22. Reports reaching the military authorities estimate that thirty-five were killed in the mine riots at Herrin, Illinois. There has been heavy damage to property, indicating that dynamite was used. The mine war near Herrin will probably go down as the most brutal debauchery in the history of labour conflicts. Hundreds of union miners, inflamed by liquor, marched off their prisoners after the non-union labourers at the mine surrendered and beat many of them to death, while they hung others and cut them to pieces. Dynamite was used to blow up many thousands of dollars’ worth of property. Innocent men were corralled and butchered under the most horrible circumstances. Probably fifty men were .killed, and more than twenty so seriously wounded that they are not expected to live. The union miners’ wives followed the murderers, applauding their acts. Spectators declare the carnival of blood and destruction went on for more than a day. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable

An earlier message stated that at Herrin fourteen men were killed, two are dying, and a score seriously wounded in a battle between the coalminers and mine guards, lasting four hours. The mine, since the strike, was being operated by non-union labour. Five thousand strikers stormed the mine stockade and firing began. The guards were operatives of a private detective agency, and, because of their many casualties. they hoisted the white flag. The miners demanded the cessation of operations and the surrender of the mine. To this the mine operatives acceded.