THE JAPANESE ANTI-PEACE RIOTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12630, 18 October 1905, Page 5

THE JAPANESE ANTI-PEACE RIOTS.

Received October 17, 9.56 a.m. PORT DARWIN, October 17. Eastern files contain details of the Japanese anti-peace riots.

The crowds, after forcing their way into Hibiya Park, 'cheered the Emperor, then moved in a serried phalanx to the Home Minister's house. The police, who had not yet drawn their swords, were swept cut of the way, the gate of the compound was seized, and logs, which had served as a 'barricade in Hibiya Park, were used as 'battering rams to foiroe breaches in the wall of the compound.

Kerosene was poured over the porter's lodge, which was quickly ablaze. Five armed rioters rushed towards the house, in which it was believed Baron Katsura would be found, in addition to the Home Minister, crying that they were about to slay the enemy of Japan. They were met by an intrepid major of infantry, who cut down the foremost and held the othex-s at bay till the "police arrived and made short work of them.

After several attempts, the mansion was set alight, the fire-engines were overturned, and the hose cut. At this juncture a company of the Imperial Guards doubled up and surrounded the building. The action of the Guards quietened matters, arid enabled the firemen to extinguish the flames. Then the police were reinforced, and time and again charged until the mob fled. The main pairt made their way to the " Kokumin " newspaper office, •where another 'battle was taking place. When darkness fell/ the a-ioters and citizens combined to demolish the police stations, and the riots still prevailed. The police were powerless, the streets roaring with a maddened stream of people. On the following day (Wednesday) the rioting was resumed. A large number of police stations -were destroyed, and electric cars burned. The Salvation Army premises were fired in consequence of the Salvationists advocating submission to the powers that be. Thursday brought martial law. the suspension of several papers, and quiet. A private of the army committed harakiri on hearing the peace terms.