Evening star., 1961-05-29
South African
Republic Day
Strike Begins

SHMC DCyIID
JOHANNESBURG, South At
rica, May 90 (AP).-A three
day strike called by political
leaders of South Africa's nom
white, voteless majority opened
today but not with universal
success. The strike is due to
run until South Africa cuts ties
with Britain and becomes a re-
public Wednesday.
Violence broke out against
bus lines last night in some
areas, notably Durham and Port
Elizabeth, but there were no
immediate reports of trouble
this morning.
South African police and
troops were mobzilized to pro-
tect Negroes, mulattos and IN
dams who wanted to work. and
many Of them chose to report
as usual.
Thousands Stay Home
Thousands, however, stayed
at home in Johannesburg. Port
Elizabeth, Durham and some
other major cities.
The government controlled
South African radio quoted
police and military officials as
saying "the natives are going
to work as usual. There is
no support for the strike call
in johannesburg"
But a high percentage of
the Negroes employed in this
city obviously stayed away
from their jobs. Hardly any
were to be seen on the streets
that normally are crowded
with them during the morning
rush hour. The railroad sta
tion looked deserted when it
should have been jammed.
The South African Press As
sociation estimated only a
fifth of the usual number of
nonwhite workers came in by
train.
Response Varies
The strike showed strength
in Port Elizabeth, a major in
dustrial and shipping center
on the Indian Ocean. The
Press Association reported mu-
lattos turned up for their jobs.
but q large percentage of the
Negroes we're striking.
Port Elizabeth is in the east
Of Cape Province. where re-
ports indicated the planned
protest against South Africa's
white supremacy policies other
wise was a dismal failure.
Negro and mixed-blood work.
ers of Cape Province-rich in
farms, mines and factories
generally ignored the strike call.
They streamed by the thou
sands to the work provided by
their white masters, paying
little heed to the leaders who
wanted them to stay at home.
Beautiful Cape Town, legis-
lative capital of South Africa,
operated at almost its normal
efficiency. The small number
of absenteeS in business houses
and factories there was not i'm
portant enough to cause any
diSlocation.
MObs Block Roads
The strike is intended TO
dramatic the fact nonwhites
had no voice in choosing the
form Of government. They are
denied the vote under segre-
cation policies of Prime Min
lister Hendrix F. Verwoerd's re-
gime, which wants no chal-
lenge to the rule Of the 3 mil
lion whites in a population
totaling 16 million.
On the eve of the strike,
Negro mobs blocked roads in
the Durham and Port Elizabeth
areas and stoned the buses of
workers. Road blocks were
formed Of gasoline drums, poles
and rocks. A Negro bus driver
was shot and wounded while
steering his bus through a
one-throwing gang in Port
Elizabeth. Frightened drivers
wanted to quit. but police
promised them protection and
escorted the buses.
Every policeman and every
soldier in South Africa, plus
5000 reservists called up for
the emergency. were n obilized
to back up Mr.. Verwoerd's
promise that any nonwhite
wanting to work would be given
protection.
White families were armed
for self-defense. and had food
supplies against any shortage.
African organizations were
divided over the walkout. The
African National Congress ia
vored it. The Pan Africanist
Congress opposed it. There was
no clear indication that the
coloreds and the Indians would
take part.
The strike was handicapped
because most of the experienced
African leaders were in jail.
Ten thousand had been arreS-