South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-16
RAND GOLD FIELD
TRIALS INTEREST
AMERICAN LABOR
Rioters Side of Case l. Ex-
planned in Circular to
Workers in L. ;.

WASHINGTON. Aug. To- (By T..
y s.)-Labor organizations IN this
country are greatly interested IN The
oascome OF the trials OF the 1900
pe.sons now IN jail in South Africa
III connection with the great strike
n the Rand gold fields in January.
~ those now imprisoned $50 are
accused OF high treason and many
n them viii be tried for murder IN
der the old Roman-Du,ch law.
Although the strike was described
throughout the world as a revolu-
ton. rhis characteriz ton u denied
lr a statement issued IN London BY
fhs Grass War Prisoners Release
committee. Copies Of the statement
have been circulated in labor circles
in the United States.
The trouble arose over a demnn1
by the employers for a reduction
On wages OF the white men IN the
gold nslds OF five shilungs a day,
the statement SAYS. This was re-
sisted by the Federation Of Trades.
which made a counter-offer on be-
half OF fhe men to accept a reduc-
ton OF Two shnlings and slxpence
a day pending arbitration. This was
refused BY the employers. who were
backed by the government.
Black Labor Employed.
At the same time the Chamber
OF Mines. which represents the gol1
mine owners. demanded that IN fu-
tu<s work hitherto performed by
white men should be done by cheap
black labor This meant that 5000
white workers would be thrown out
OF employment and that wages
would be reduced from 20 sh1llings
per day 20 two shillings per day. the
difference between the wages Of the
white worker and the native.
These demands were opposed by
the unions and a strike began on
January 10 Appeals mere made 20
tho government on behalf OF the
white workers. with the object OF
effsctzng a settlement, the govern
nent replied by advising the men
20 accept the employers terms.
These were counted as impossible.
mulNy was with tie unions. and
food supplies were sent by the
farmers 10 enable the strike 20 con-
tfnue. This in itself was proof OF
the Justice OF the miners demands,
and 81 did not please the employ
ers. Something had 10 be done.
Three Miners Murdered.
aggression on the part OF the
Dolice took place at BOl1sburg, and
three miners were murdered A
demand was made Of the govern
ment that q public inquiry be held
and that the officers responsible
for these deaths be brought TO trial
The government. which shares in
the profits from the mines. advised
the unions TO accept any terms Of
fered and return 70 work. II then
called upon the employers 10 open
the mines. giving a guarantee thaI
fun protection would be given tC
every man returning to work.
AS a reprisal the Federation oil
Trades called a general strike
Aeropianes. tanks heavy artillery
and bombs were then brought into
action by the South African govern
ment, which was responsible fol
The hundreds Of deaths that follow
ed
Indiscriminate destruction OF
life and property took place Three
sons Of a widow were taken from
shei- home by the military and. de.
spite their mothers appeal. were
shot
Government Is Opposed.
After many fearful atrocities this
government brought In a bill TO in
demnify the police and the mill.
tary. This was strongly opposed by
the South African Labor Party. and
hard fight Is being put up by al
sections OF the working class move
meut"
IL II reported here that many Ia
Dor unions in Great Britain have
adopted resolutions protesting
against the action Of the South AZ.
rican government and demandine
that the men now held be not tried
for murder Thousands OF work
ers in England are said TO have
pledged themselves not 20 buy any
products from south Africa.