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BROKEN HILL SENSATION BURNING OF GERMAN CLUB. EXCITEMENT IN TOWN BROKEN HILL,
Sunday.— The city remained in a state of excitement on Saturday, though little to justify it occurred. The inquest on the victims of Friday's tragedy was formally opened, and adjourned until Friday. During the day, the crowd found their way to the ruins of the German Club.
One venturesome young man swarmed up the flag-pole and hoisted the Australian flag at the top of the pole. His act was loudly cheered. There was a fear that something serious might occur at night, and all the police were on duty, while a large section of the military paraded the city or took up positions in the various stations. This show of law and order apparently quietened the crowd, for, although crowds were in the streets, nothing of note happened. Early in the evening an Italian was arrested on a charge of threatening to shoot another man.
A number of men, fearing something serious, followed the police and their captive, and the crowd, thinking the latter was an enemy subject, threatened violence. Seven of those wounded on Friday are in hospital. Two or three are in a serious condition, but no further deaths are recorded. The death list so far is confined to four civilians and two of the attacking Turks.
Mulla Abdulla, one of the shooters, had been 10 years in Broken Hill, chiefly camel-driving. For the past few years he had been butcher for a camp at North Broken Hill, vested with priest rights, in order to kill according to the Mahommedan religion. He was of very reserved disposition, rarely speaking to anyone, and even the men in camp are not sure where he was born. He was always childish and simple in his ways, and small children were in the habit of throwing stones at him, but beyond occasionally complaining to the police he was never known to retaliate.
He was convicted last month for killing sheep off licensed premises, and, although given time, he was unable to pay his fine, and became very gloomy us a result. At this time Mahomed Gool came to camp, and lived next to Mulla Abdulla, and the two appeared to have taken up with one and another, for they continually smoked hemp together. Mahomed Gool is said to have been a Turk, born near the Persian border. He was in Broken Hill previously many years ago, and then left Australia, travelled the world, and returned about two years ago.
He lived at Central Broken Hill, working on the mines. He was a Mohammedan, and on that account and having no work he shifted to the camel camp a few weeks ago. The men at the camp, although called Afghans, are not. They come from various parts of India, and are all British subjects. Many of the men served in the British army, and at the commencement of the war, thinking fighting would take place in Adelaide, offered their services, saying that they would fight for Australia to a man. They say also that there is but one Afghan in the camp.
Following upon the tragedy a turbulent crowd assembled in Argent street on Friday night, and started upon a career of destruction. At about 8 o'clock there was a big crowd in the vicinity of the police station.
Exciting debates as to whether the perpetrators of the outrage were Turks or Afghans, and whether or not they were set on to their work by Germans were taking place. Those who contended that the Germans were the authors of the outrage were in the majority, and a few of the ringleaders raised the cry of, "To the German Club." There was a ready response, and a mixed crowd of several hundreds made off towards Delamore street, where the German Club is situated. The crowd took a stand in front of the premises. Stones were hurled against the walls, and through windows, while the crowd alternately cheered or sang snatches of patriotic songs.
After a few minutes there was a dash towards the building, some men forcing an entrance, and caused considerable damage. These were after a brief interval called out, and others advanced. Apparently following a prearranged plan, these scattered the methylated spirit in the front portion of the building. Lights were then applied, and flames at once shot upwards and ignited the woodwork.
As the fire died down, the crowd moved off towards Argent street, with cries of "Now for the camel camp." "Let's settle the Afghans." They walked along Argent street, towards Iodide street, and at the intersection of these streets the police were spread across the road. Five hundred people came to a dead halt. Go home, like good fellows. You've done enough for to-night," said Sergeant Dimond. Other officers adopted a similarly persuasive attitude, but it was without avail. The crowd did not want to go home, neither did it seem keen on pushing forward. It was pointed out they might get a warm reception at the camp. None of them were armed, while it was suggested that the Afghans or Indians would certainly be formidably armed, and equal to protect themselves.
In the midst of the argument a hoarse voice chimed in, "Remember our women who were shot." This was repeated several times with alterations and additions — "More will be shot if the Afghans live," "The Germans will bribe some more of them to do their dirty work," "We're not safe while they're alive," were some of the remarks made. Remonstrance was useless. Efforts were made to convince the people that the Afghans were not Turks, and that Turks only were the perpetrators of the train outrage.
It did not matter. Turk, Hindu, or Afghan — they were all much of a colour. So the crowd surged into Iodide street, but were again pulled up by the police. Arguments this time were not prolonged. After a few minutes an armed detachment of Citizen Forces (82nd Infantry), with engineers and civilian volunteers, came marching briskly along Iodide street. They passed straight ahead, and were followed by a straggling crowd right up to the camel camp. Here the military, under Lieutenant Anderson, and the police, headed by Inspector Miller, again joined forces. A cordon of armed men was stretched across the roadway and along the camp fence, and no civilians allowed to pass. At one time there was a little rough play amongst the crowd, but no damage was done. Gradually the crowd melted away.
REPORT ASKED FOR. "My attention has been called to the tragedy at Broken Hill," said the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Hughes) on Saturday, "and I have asked for a report to be furnished to me setting out the complete details of the occurrence. I see that it is alleged that the outrage was committed by Turks. If that be so, it seems to show beyond the shadow of doubt the great necessity for a very rigid supervision of all alien enemy subjects."
BROKEN HILL SENSATION (1915, January 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6.