The Washington times., 1913-10-28
GUARDS FIGHT MEN
NCOLORADO CAMPS
Martial Law Declared, and
1000 Troops Rushed to
Scene Of Industrial War.
Continued from First Pageo

Continued from First Page)
far the governor has not been in
formed whether there have been any
fatalities, although hundreds of shots
have been exchanged. The militia,
ordered out this morning, has not
yet reached the scene.
Martial Law Declared.
Martial law was declared early today
Throughout the Southern Colorado coal
fields where 5000 miners are on strike
As the result of days rioting. cul-
minating, it is reported, in the killing
of two Greek strikers and the wound,ng
of five deputy sheriffs at Berwind late
yesterday, Governor Ammons ordered
1000 State troops to the coal fields at
once to restore and maintain order. The
governor announced he would go to the
, scene personally and direct the move
ments of the militia.
Governor Ammons informed the opera
tors last night that. while law was in
effect, he would not permit the use Of
the militiamen to break the strike,
but that they merely would keep order.
Troops To Disarm All.
He ordered Adjutant General Chase
to disarm both strikers and mine guards
| and to close all saloons Immediately.
| The Importation of strike-breakers into
the district by operators will be for
| bidden, but the governor will permit
| miners to return to work II they wish,
| and he will guarantee them protection.
Ammons took this action only after
| thirty-six hours of negotiations, during
which he endeavored to get the oper-
ators to consent to an adjustment of
| their differences with the. miners. He
| made them compromise proposition
which was satisfactory to the strike
| leaders, providing for slight wage in
! crease for the men. in return for which
| they would waive recognition of the
| union. The operators fatty refused.
| The militia will have to patrol more
| territory than there is in the State of
| Maine.
Fatalities Rumored.
| LUDLOW, Col, Oct. 2S.-Up to noon
| the tent camp here was filled with ru-
| mors of fatalities, but none could be
| confirmed. One was that fifteen mine
| guards had been slain at Hastings and
| Berwind, but this was discredited. The
| only known casualty resulting from to-
days fighting at that hour is that of a
| striker who was shot through the leg.
| Word that Governor Ammons had
| called out the troops caused intense ex-
| citement. Hot heads among the strikers
| saw in this move defeat for their fight
and openly advocated defying the
| militia and burning the mine buildings
| throughout the coal field
| At daybreak the fighting began stimuli
taneously at Berwind and Hastings,
when the strikers opened fire on the
| mine guards. who are practically be-
| sieged. At the same time a force of
! miners marched against Delagua and
| opened fire there.
Use Machine Guns.
The guards at Berwind and Hastings
| replied to the fire with machine guns,
| for much execution.
The troops were expected to arrive at
noon. and 1t is questionable what their
| arrival will bring. Nnion officials here
| are urging the strikers to disarm volun-
tarily before the troops arrive, but
/ many of the men are inclined to be
sullen. The women are openly rebelli-
Gus, many urging the men to run the
| troops out of Colorado while the
strike leaders are doing everything pos
sible to prevent trouble. they fearing
| lfe IOt-ntdutu VIII OEe1
| fire on the troops when they arrive,
precipitating a general engagement
The consequences of such a fight might
bring on civil war
! As soon as they heard that troops
were coming strikers cut all telephone
lines leading out of Ludlow and sur
rounding camps. so that their move
| ments would not be known The only
communication is railroad telegraph
| wire.