TROUBLE IN COLORADO

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 22, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 25.

TROUBLE IN COLORADO.

The militia are again in charge of affairs in Teller County, Colorado, where dangerous conditions now exist. The first act of anarchy was the destruction of the lives of thirteen non-union miners at Independence, on June 6. The non-union miners were at the station ready to take the train when a large quantity of dynamite under the station platform was set off by some concealed assassin. A wire was found leading from the scene of the explosion to a chair a considerable distance away. By pulling this wire the assassin exploded the deadly charge. In addition to the thirteen men killed, seven were seriously injured.

The person or persons who perpetrated this crime are believed to be the ones who recently exploded a charge of dynamite at the foot of a shaft, killing a number of non-union miners. As yet there is no trace of the guilty parties. The discussion of the outrage in the streets of Cripple Creek brought on a riot, in which many shots were fired. One man was killed here and several wounded. At Victor, while a mass meeting was being held to discuss the murder of non-union miners, a riot was started, culminating in the death of two men and the injury of six.

Large bodies of armed men then paraded the streets of these towns, and conflicts were frequent. Martial law was proclaimed on June 8, and a large number of union miners have been arrested by the troops and deputies and incarcerated in the military prison. Previous to this some of the union stores were wrecked, and their contents piled in the streets by an anti-union mob. The Citizens’ Alliance and the Mine Owners Association have forced the resignation of the coroner, chief of police, and city marshal, because of their sympathies with the union element, and others were put in their places. A strong effort will be put forth to rid these districts of the union element and union influences. The union members who are not in prison are armed and threaten trouble.

All this is but an indication of the conflict that is preparing between the classes. We shall see more and more of it until the end.

No serious engagement has occurred during the week between the opposing forces in Manchuria. The Japanese are energetically preparing for the reduction of the fortifications of Port Arthur, and there are rumors of a serious attempt on the part of the Russian commander to bring a force to the relief of the Port Arthur garrison, which would attack the Japanese forces in the rear. It is reported that two Japanese battalions have been completely wiped out by the Russians near Feng Huan Cheng. The Japanese were ambushed and annihilated before re-enforcements reached the scene. When the latter arrived, the Russians were driven from their position. It is reported that a naval engagement has occurred off Port Arthur, in which several ships were lost; but the report has not been confirmed.

The British' post in Tibet was attacked on June 8 by the natives, who lost 116 of their number killed. The British casualties numbered six. The expedition is still safe. It is reported that the Russian Government has intimated to England that the British expedition must not continue if Great Britain desired to maintain friendly relations with Russia. It is also reported that Russia is calling out Russian troops in the vicinity of the Tibetan border in readiness to help the Tibetans against the British, if the latter continue to push on toward Lhasa.

Terrible conditions are reported to exist in the Russian camps at Liao Yang and other places. The facilities of the railroad are not sufficient to bring overland all the needed supplies, and, as a result, the soldiers are suffering from lack of food. The troops are poorly housed, and a revolt is said to be rife. There is much sickness in the camps of both armies.

Spain is sending war-vessels to Morocco, that government having heard a report that the purpose of the United States in sending war-ships to Tangier is to obtain a port on the west coast of Morocco. Spain would protest against such an act.

The liberty bell is to be one of the attractions of the St. Louis Exposition. The bell arrived at the exposition grounds on June 8, and was formally installed in the Pennsylvania building.