New Britain herald., 1928-12-06
ASK Martial LAW
THROUGH COLOMBIA
Maeddtni Banana Region Scene
Of Mob Violence

Declaration of martial law in the
Magdalena banana region. where
violence has accompanied strike OF
plantation workers. has been re-
quested OF the council of state by
the ministers of interior and war.
1t was announced that the situa-
ton was very grave and that the gov
eminent was energetically taking a
hand in it.
Official adyices said the strikers
had used violence to prevent other
workers from taking their places. An
exodus OF workers from the region
was reported to be under way. many
of the laborers seeking employment
il the towns
Troops May Go
Should the council of state agree
10 the establishment of a state OF
siege. federal troops would be sent
10 the disturbed areas in an effort to
avert bloodshed.
The strike has been in progress for
several weeks. The ministry of in
dustries. attempted to mediate be-
tween workers and employers, but
this attempt to settle the controversy
failed when the United Fruit COM
pany refused to accede to the re-
quest of strikers for general insur-
ance. Since then the strikers have
chung steadfastly to their demands
with the support Of socialist direc-
tors.
News telegraphed from the affect
ed area has been scanty and little
is known in the capital of the true
situation.
Private Dispatches
Private dispatches received in
New York by companies with inter-
ests in the strike region said martial
law already had been proclaimed in
the province of Magdalena. 1t was
asserted an army of laborers armed
with machetes and other weapons
had begun raiding plantations.
Twelve thousand workers were re-
ported to be on strike under the
leadership of Mexican communists.
The towns of Santa Marta, Gene
ga, Cevilla, and Aracataca We're de-
clred to have been affected. Property
worth millions Of dollars was under
stood to be menaceA.
Private dispatches reported the
Colombian authorities had not been
able to organize an effective military
force against the strikers. 1t was as
serted that about 1000 soldiers were
available for Magdalena but were
hampered by railroad delays. Tele-
phone and Geographic communica-
ton has been cut by the workers.
soldiers Gathered
One private messag e said that yes
terday soldiers were hastily gathered
at the demand of fruit companies
and others and attacked laborers.
They rescued score of their COM
rades, without bloodshed on either
side.
Another private message said 27
soldiers had been captured by raid
ing workers or Tuesday. and added
that the capture was made without
violence"
The situation was described as
growing more alarming with an
armed force stated to be marching
to the scene from Cienega. Workers
in scattered groups were reported to
be destroying fruit crops on PLAN
tations and threatening American
inhabitants.
Sends Wire
One concessionaire representative
reported to his superiors in New
York that he had warned Lawrence
+. Cote. United States vice consul
at Santa Marca, not to send alarm
ing information to Washington. The
message added:
Il have endeavored to convince
him that definite action by naval
authorities at this time would not
only be inopportune, but very preju-
dicial to American interests"
Mr.. Cote in a despatch to the
state department has reported that
the strikers attempted on Monday to
prevent workmen from returning to
their jobs and that military forces