The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-05

IN DAMN uGl AND,
A Shameless Attack by RufIlans and
Thugs Upon the Salvation
Army
But Small Nndeavor by the On
cials TO Protect the Religious
Enthusiasts.
a Number Of Women Are Seriously Hurt
~ tho Melee BY Rowdiss and
Policemen.

LONDON, Jan. 4.Troubles between tile
Salvation army and authorities at EAST
bourne resulted yesterday in a riot Of unn-
sunl violence. For long time there has
been open war between the salvationists
and police. The former assert that the
Eastbourns officials have displayed feel
ing Of religious intolerance in their treat
mont Of the army, and 50 determined are
the members of tho salvation army to main
tain what they deemed their judicial rights
that they propose to introduce bill in par
lament to repeal or amend the Eastbourne
improvement act, under which the town Of
icinls prevent the salyationists from hold
ing meetings on the streets. Yesterday the
Eastbourne contingent Of the salvation
array WAS divided into four Sec
tions, stationed in different parts
OF the town. The police broke
up these meetings with some trouble, but
in the afternoon sixty of the army again
sailed from tho barracks and proceeded to
march. followed by an immense crowd, who
menaced them with NIL manner of i'll treat
ment. Once upon the beach the salvation
ists knelt down on the sands in prayer. As
they did so. they linked arms, the better to
repel thu assaults of the irrelgious mob,
should the latter take it into their heads to
finally made an ugly rush Some of the
salvationlsts we're thrown to the ground,
but immediately resumed their kneeling
position and continued praying. Several
times the rushing was repeated, but
the salvationists,a paid no more
seriously hurt. A number of policemen
were present and the mob reviled them for
not dispensing the salvationists. As soon
az the PRAYING concluded the salvationists
rose to their feet. This seemed signal for
q preconoerted attack, for the mob imme-
band, scattering them in wild disorder.
Many were struck, kicked and otherwise
illtreated. Musical instruments used by
the salvationists seemed especially
to excite the ire Of the mob, persons bear
ing taem wera singled out for more than
usual brutal treatment. The mob got pos
session Of the Instruments, and, after
smashing them. threw them into the sea.
\ Then q detachment of mounted police
charged npon the crowd. They made no
cistinction between men and women. They
rode down upon tho crowd, trampling
rowdies, male and female, under the feet Of
their horses. Many OF the crowd were
ssversly injured. The salvationists declare
that the police instead of protecting them,
deliberately struck them and rode over
them. Their clothes were torn and
hats lost. A number of women lost
their skirts and jackets in the wild rush
following the charge Of the police their
garments being torn off them in the des-
perats struggle to escape being trampled on
by horses. During the melee the standard
of the salvation army fell into the hands
of the enemy. Some salvationists charged
to regain the flag and fierce fight resulted.
Finally the salvationists regained the stan
dard and under rain of blows succeeded
in getting away from the mob with the flag
in their possession. After some lite
time the salvationists. their oloth-
ing bedraggled and faces showing
marks OF ill-treatmsnt, rallied around
their standard. They formed in regular
lines, and, surrounded BY the police,
marched back to their barracks. Despite
this protection they were not safe from at
tack, for the mob several times charged
upon them and the police were almost pow
erless to prevent injuries being inflicted.
Some of tho more rabid of the mob got
possession OF vehicles, and, paying no at
tention to the police, drove deliberately
into the salvationists' ranks, with the OBJ
ject of running over them.