Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-11
FEAR Of UPRISING
ADDS TO HORRORS
Alarm Felt in South Africa for
Safety of Women and
Children.
FREE STATE BURGHERS
OBEY THE CALL TO ARMS
Martial Law to Be Declared Tomor-
row-Serious Results of Railway
Strike Anticipated.

PRETORIA, Union of South Africa
January 10.-Not since the Beers laid
down their arms to the Britons in 1902
has the Rand been as near a state of
war as it is tonight Martial law will
he declared at noon tomorrow. Many
of those who predicted failure for the
strike have become so alarmed that
they are pleading for white unity to
protect the women and children from
the horrors of a native uprising.
Johannesburg has the appearance of
besieged city. The calling out of
the defense forces has resulted in the
gathering of 10000 of the old Free
state burghers. who have sprung to
arms with the same alacrity as in the
days of a native uprising, or when
he British invaded the veldt. This
force is under command of the veteran
3oer general, Jacobus H de la Rey.
May Prevent Labor Meeting.
The proposed mass meeting of the
Trades Federation has not yet been
prohibited. but the proclamation of
martial law probably means that an
attempt will be made to prevent
demonstration which, in the present
temper of the strikers, who are in
cenSed by the arrest of their leaders,
may result in an even more tragic
ARRAY than that which occurred July
I last, when rioters were fired on by
the troops.
The Trades Federation has recommend
ed the declaration of a general strike
and has ordered that a ballot be taken
On the question by all the unions before
Tuesday. The federation has also passed
A resolution condenlning the government
Tor imprisoning the mems leaders, be
cause they expressed the opinions of
those whom they represented
Government Commands Situation.
So far as military preparations can
assure it, the government has absolute
command of the situation. Troopers, in
fantry and police can be seen in all di-
rections. posted at strategic points along
the reefs. But it is considered a grave
question whether the burghers will fire,
II ordered to do SO. on their fe.low-Boers,
who compose the majority of the Rand
railway men The strikers seem to share
this belief, for the strike leaders have
given permission to those who are mem
bers of the defense force to join their
commands.
Secretary Balm of the johannesburg
Trades Federation, for whom a warrant
has been issued, was present at a meet
ing held in the Trades Hall tonight He
Zoo. The police, realizing that he could
not be arrested without bloodshed, de-
cided to await a more favorable oppor-
tunity.
Nothing further has developed with
regard to the native unrest at Jagers-
fontein, where an outbreak occurred
today between whites and natives, in
the course Of which seven native
laborers in the diamond mines were
killed and thirty-six wounded The
forces there. however, have been rein
forced by detachment of Scottish
Horse.
Statement by Minister of Railways.
The minister of railways, Henry Bur-
ton. in a statement today. said that all
the grievances of the railway men,
with the exception of those relating to
retrenchment and the reinstatement of
certain men. are being considered by
he commission, but on these two
POINTS no concessions will be made
The strikers have formed a police
torce OF 40p members to assist in the
fua luteraGee q order. One of the first
nets If tIe cttileT= committee which
3as been organized to relieve the po-
.iEe on patrol drty vas the closing of
iE saloons