The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-03
BELEACUERED.
Europeans in Calcutta Shut Up
in Their Houses.
Do Not Dare Show Themselves
on the Streets.
SOLDIERS AREAFRAID.
Dare Not Fire Shot For Fear
Of a Revolution.
English Officials Are All Away
in the Mountains.

Bombay, July 3.-The assassins of Lieu
tenant Ayerst, of the commissariat who
was shot and killed by the concealed ma
ttves while leaving the governors recep-
ton at Ganeshknd on the evening of June
% jubilee day, Plague Commissioner Rand
being dangerously wounded at the same
time, are still at large.
The aggressive attitude of the natives
prior to the shooting was remarked.
There were whisperings of impending dis
aster to Europeans and it is thought that
the whole native community, including
the police. had a foreknowIedge that
something was going to happen. On jubi-
lee night delayed anonymous letter ar
rived at Commissioner Rand's bungalow,
saying:
You will die today and the queen Will
die two days after. Many others will fol-
low and the soldiers will all be killed"
Threatening letters have been received
by other Europeans. During the pro-
gress of the plague prominent Hindoos
made violent accusations against the
English, charging them with robbing and
ill treating all who came in contact with
them. There is the greatest disquiet in
official circles.
A compromise on the plague measures
having been arranged between the auth
critics and the rioters, the disturbances
have ceased. The absence of rain is caus-
ing the gravest anxiety throughout In
dia. The rioting arose out of the grow
ing practice of the Mohammedans of re-
fusing to pay rent for certain so-called
mosques, built contrary to the tenets of
the AEohammedan religion on ground be-
longing to infidels. The rioters were con-
| tinualIy reinforced in response to tele-
! grams sent up the country in which they
| appealed to all true Mohammedans to
| come to the aid of their co-religionists.
! y For several hours, the police and mili-
! tary were obliged to clear the streets.
| Detached parties of Mohamfnedans ston-
/ ed Europeans wherever they found theIa
! All telegraphic lines were cut and the
| buildings containing Europeans We're be-
| sieged. There were many narrow es-
| capes.
The rioters sounded war cries, shouted
| vile epithets and grossly insulted the
| European women.
! In several parts of Calcutta, it is still
! dangerous for Europeans to go about.
| and it is likely to remain so owing to the
nature of the compromise by which the
| riot was brought to end.
The trouble is greatly increased by thu
! absence of the high officials, most OF
Whom are now IN the hills. Those who
remained behind hesitated to undertake
the responsibility of extreme measures.
! The result that the troops were not
allowed to fire or to take the offensive.
even when exposed to every kind of in
dignity. Their behavior and self-restraint
under the conditions We're admirable.
In spite of the cessation of the riots,
! the situation is regarded as extremely
grave; and it is felt that, unless some Of
ficial is invested with plenary power dur
ing the absence of the governing authori-
/ ties. Europeans will be compelled to act
on their own responsibility.