The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-10
URGES STRIKERS TO
DENOUNCB The KING
Scditious Speeches at Johannes
burg Rouse Railroad Men
to Cheers.
TRAFFIC At A STANDSTlLL
Martial Law Likely To-day
Hint at Revolution in
Outbreak.
specai cabic Dispatches to Tar Sun.

specWi cable Dispatches to THE Sun.
,NNEssURG. Jan. e.--Severai strike
leaders. Including Poutama. secretary of
the Railroad Mems Union. who is called
the Jim Lsrkin of South Africa, were
arrested to-dsy for seditious speeches.
George Mason. a member Of the execu-
tive committee of the federation of trades,
addressing the railroad workers, said:
81 want you al, to he like me and send
the King. the flag and the country to
hell"
This call was greeted with cheers
When Mason added, I'VE are as good as
the King" he was greeted with shouts Of
Yes. and better"
The strike is now In full swing here
and in Pretoria, but 1t Is not universal
throughout the union OF South Africa.
Nevertheless the outlook Is very serious.
Railroad traffic in the Transvaai is at a
standstill.
Railroad strikers here made an at
tempt TO blow UP train to-day. but
failed 4 foreman track layer making a
tour Of inspection found the explosives on
the track just before the arrival OF a
heavily loaded passenger train at the
lu!paardsvlei station. The explosives
consisted OF three sticks Of dynamite with
2 detonator attached. The dynamite had
been fixed in such a way that an ex-
ploson was inevitable II a train hit It.
Every man employed in the railroad
Yards at Blocmfontein laid down Ills tools
and walked out to-day. A guard OF armed
police and members OF the citizens de-
fence force are watching the stations and
the yards
The action taken by the Government in
he present difficulty is in strong contras;
70 that taken in July last. when 1t was
compelled to appeal for the aid of I'M
perial troops. The present strong mobili-
cation OF a civilian defence force is APP
proved by public opinion. which favors
drastic action against the strikers.
II is reported that martial law will be
proclaimed tomorrow. 1t Is almost gen.
orally believed that the aim of the Fed
Grafton Of Trades is a revolution rather
than a strike. Citizens everywhere are
forming committees OF public safety
Food prices are rising. The compulsor!
closing Of the mines is expected. and this
will bc followed by the sending OF the
latiyr miners to their homes.
The inhabitants OF Johannesburg are
nervous. fearing a night attack. There
have been several attacks on the rail-
road lines and much damage was caused
by the strikers. Freight trains have been
overturned.
The fact that the situation became sud-
denly serious when all danger was be-
li..ed 10 have been averted Is ascribed to
the taking control of the strike by the
federation Of trades.
II is recalled that the strike of miners
which was declared last July hung fir'
Until the federation took a hand and ther
il rapidly assumed the proportions Of 9
revolt.
LONDON. Jan. 10.-Policies Of Insurance.
against damage to property In the strik'
area OF South Africa TO the amount o
more than $4,000 have been taken on
by cable in London at high rates.
The property owners in the affected dis
trict take very serious view Of the sit
uation.