The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-03-16
GREAT BATTLE ON
At JOHANNA
Troops Slain From Ambush;
Soviet Activity Is Feared.
FIGHT HOT AT CITYS GATES
Morgues and Hospitals Are Filled
With Dead and Wounded, lncIud-
ing Many Women-ReVolu-
tionists Hold Fordsburg.

johannesburg, South Africa, March
l3.-lIostilities were resumed in the
warfare between anti-government
forces and the imperial troops and po-
lice.
After a bitter four-hour battle, gov
eminent cavalry succeeded in driving
back the insurrectonsts, hemming in
johannesburg. Imperial light horse
captured positions protecting the city
water supply from destruction by the
enemy.
4 Scottish dEachment was any
pushed at Benoni'Dy strikers hidden in
plantation, who poured heavy fire
into the soldiers killing Is of them
and wounding -. The Rand Daily
Mail places casualties at 600, of whom
so are believed to have been killed.
The casualties among the strikers are
not known.
Hospitals and morgues are filled
with wounded and dead, including
many women. BY the most strenuous
effort, government forces have re-
gained control of the city proper
which they have circled with a net
work of trenches and barbados TO
protect it against raids from the out
side.
City Is Beseged.
Revolutionary troops, apparently
well organized, continue the execution
Of lA 70 1.aI
plan of campaign to besiege and cap
ture the city.
Fordsburg is still held by the rebels
and anti-government troops are re-
ported trying to fight their way west
ward from East Rand to effect a june
ton with other forces of the strikers
Positions held by the reyolutionists
are under constant fire from govern
ment troops. An aviator flying low
sought to drive the enemy from posi-
tions on the outskirts Of Johannes
burg; but, although bombs and gun
fire undoubtedly caused many casual
ties among the besegers, they chung
stubbornly to their trenches and drove
back the airplane to the city.
Contradictory reports are received
from the Benoni and Brakpan dis
tricts, where the Dutch farmers have
risen and formed mounted comman-
dos, which have joined forces with
the strikers.
Battles Continue.
The action of the government air
plane in bombing the strikers mass
meeting at .Benoni appears only to
have cnragcd the anti-goycrnment
forces.
Fighting in both districts continues
Each side claims the victory. 1t is
said here that government troops and
police have retaken both Benoni and
Brakpan, but this IS denied by the
reyolutionists.
Troops sent to reinforce government
forces I'm Benoni have been ambushed
and badly cut up by rcvolutlonlsts,
who cling to their fortified houses and
barbados. Denoi, 1t appears. also is
still In the hands Of the strikers.
In view Of broken communications
and contradictory reports It is impos-
sible to say just how far the strikers
and their allies have succeeded in their
campaign to seize strategic points
BY holding tenaCiOusy TO Fords-
burg, the Gntl-government forces are
in a position to take advantage Of the
slightest opening to cut railroad com
munications from Johannesburg and
eventually to capture the city proper.
Government forces here have been
reinforced by body Of Durham light
infantry. Gen. Jan SHUTS has taken
personal command of the government
campaign. lie makes no secret Of the
fact that he regards the situation as
critical and that government forces
were I'm an untayorable position
Rclnforccments ere moved with the
greatest secrecy, MS resistance may
spring up in any portion Of the area.
There has always been in South
Africa an element waiting for amy OPP
portunity 10 embarrass or overthrow
'he British rule