Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-10
FEAR REVOLUTION
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Grave Consequences Likely to
Follow Strike of the
Railway Workers.
TROUBLE MAY INVOLVE
NATIVES IN PROVINCES
Rumors Cause Panic in Outlying
Districts-Defense Forces Mob
iIised at Business Centers.

PRETORIA. Union of South Africa,
January 1O.-The conviction is growing
here that the government of the Union
of South Africa is faced with d situation
more in the nature of revolution than
OF an ordinary strike, while the fear that
the trouble may spread to the natives in
the various provinces is causing panic
arpong women in the outlying districts.
Mr.. Balm, secretary of the Trades Fed
Grafton, this morning Informed a meeting
of workers at Johannesburg that to
inorrows s mass meeting will be of greater
significance in the world than the Fourth
of July.
Mr.. Ward. another official of the Trades
Federation, threatened retaliation for the
governments arrest of the mems leaders.
The general body of citizens seems to
be wholly on the side of the government.
All the strategic points along the rail-
roads have been occupied by detachments
of troops and every possible precautien
has been taken by the authorities.
Call for 10000 Men.
further proclamation calling 5000
men of the citizens defense force to the
colors was issued here today. This step
was taken by the authorities in view of
the possibility of widespread disturbances
following the expected orders for gem
eraI strike by the labor federations.
Defense Forces Modified.
CAPEToWN. Union of South Africa,
January 1o.-Drastic measures have
been taken by the government of the
Union of South Africa to prevent seri
Gus trouble arising out of the strike
nf vail in he
Orange State provinces. The entire
defense forces of South Africa, includ-
ing the regulars and the citizens re-
serve. are being mobilized for the pro-
lection of property which the govern
ment believed to be threatened.
The strikers have tied up railroad
traffc in the Transvaal and the Orange
State, but have not yet succeeded In
interfering with transportation in
Cape Colony and Natal.
The authorities in mobilizing the forces
are looking toward much greater dan
ger than that of the strike. They fear
possible uprising Of the thousands. OF ma
tive laborers in the mines. some OF whom
have already shown signs of unruliness.
The natives are likely to become still
more intractable when they learn that
provisions may run short owing to the
impeded communications.
Troops at the Centers.
In NaIaI All Ine lQIdnITy, CdSdHS anu
artillery comprised in the forces of the
Union of South Africa were modified
this morning. The forces available at
Bloemfontein. capital of the Orange
state, have been sent off to Jagersfon-
tein. whose diamond mines rank in value
next to those of Kimberley. The native
laborers there had already adopted
threatening attitude this morning.
Further arrests of labor leaders were
made this morning, among them Presl-
dent Connerty and Secretary Dawson OF
the railway mems executive committee
and MessTs. Buckley and Riley, mem
bers of the executive committee.
Outbreak at Diamond Mines.
JAGERSFONTEIN, Union Of South
.,frica. January 1O.-Seven native labor
.rs in the diamond mines were killed and
wounded in the course of an outbreak
-oday. A few whites also received in
iuries.
The trouble had no connection whatever
with the strike of railway men. 1t arose
IN dispute about the death of Basuto,
which was said to- have resulted from
The Kick of a white overseer. The whites
were driven by the natives into a tunnel
of a mine, where they defended them
selves In the meantime, the natives
destroyed the huts in their compound.
. A body of 800 armed whites then came
onto the scene and dispersed the natives
after sharp fight
The town is under the control of de-
tachments of armed farmers from the
by small force Of regular troops.