The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-01-16
HOLD LABOR
IN A WISE
The South African Defense
Forces Are Dom
inant
STRIKERS CAN'T
LEAVE HOME
Or Help Comrades - Balm,
Their Leader, and Body
Guard Surrender

Johannesburg, Union OF South Africa,
Jan. l6.--The struggle between employ
ers and trade unionists in South Africa
continued doggedly yesterday, and up
to noon there had been no marked change
in the situation. Organized workmen of
all trades in the Transyaal and the
Orange Free State have almost unani-
mously thrown down their tools and
joined in the sympathetic strike ordered
by the Federation of Trades in support
of the railroad men who had struck as
a protest against the Tetrenchment pol
icy OF the transportation companies.
The workmen OF Cape Colony and Ma
tai, on the other hand, have remained
at their occupations. Some of the strik
ers in this city seem to be in an ugly
mood, but are restrained by the pres
ence of large forces of armed police and
of the citizens defense force, over 100.
600 of whom answered the call to arms
when martial law was proclaimed. Pro-
visions are still fairly plentiful, although
dear. Most of the bakers shops and
grocery stores are still open.
The railroad strike showed signs OF
collapsing yesterday afternoon, when $50
men applied for reinstatement at Braam-
fontein. On the other hand the white
foremen at several mines struck work
and were joined, by some of the men.
The crushing batteries, however, still
continued in operation.
Success of the strike in the Orange
Free State and Transvaal would lead to
an extension of the order TO other prov
inces. Martial law in the Orange Free
State is very strict and rigorous press
censorship has already been instituted.
All strikers are prohibited from leaving
their homes. The display of the red
flag is forbidden and the rendering of
assistance to other strikers, directly or
indirectly by funds or goods, is also for
hidden.
Mr.. Balm, secretary of the South Afri-
can Federation of Trades, and his band
of 300 comrades, who had barricaded
themselves in the trades hall here since
Tuesday, surrendered Internationally to
the police yesterday. Mr.. Balm and 10
of the ringleaders were arrested and
lodged in Jail. Balm yesterday morning
requested an interview with General
Botha, prime minister of the Union Of
South Africa. The government regard
ed this as an offer to surrender and re
piled that the control officer of the re-
gion under the provisions Of martial law
had orders to arrest everyone in the hall,
and to use the most drastic measures
necessary if, after warning had been
given them, the occupants did not sur
render without violence. Strong guards
were placed in position to keep close
watch on the hail. and no pedestrian
or vehicle was permitted TO approach It.
After the hall had been raided By
police and detectives without avail, great
crowds gathered, and the police were
to make several bayonet
charges, owing to the aggressive atti-
tude of the people, many of whom were
slightly injured. With the final bayonet
charge the police cleared the entire
and a Gordon of police
with fixed bayonets was thrown around
the hall. Balm and his friends are cut
off from all supplies. Balm came out
Of the hall Wednesday night, strolled |
nonchalantly about the cleared space in /!
full view of the police, and re-entered |
the hall without any attempt being !
made to arrest him. The police com
mander explained that he had no in
tention of again attempting an assault |
on the hail. for he considered that the |
300 men in it are as good as in jail.