In Nova Scotia

A strike had for many months been in force at the collieries of the British Empire Steel Corporation at New Waterford, near Sydney, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Intransigence on the part of employers and employed had made settlement of the dispute impossible.

One night last week, the Corporation smuggled maintenance men into a power plant for the purpose of restoring it and supplying power for the pumps in the mines. The strikers got wind of the move and, 800 strong, marched to the plant. A pitched battle ensued. The police fired. A miner named Davis fell dead. The crowd, maddened, "saw red," charged. The police fled, but not before they had been pummeled, mauled, kicked, clubbed and otherwise battered. The maintenance men successfully effected their escape.

The mob then advanced to the power plant, well-nigh destroyed it. Police forces of the neighboring towns arrived, but could do nothing. Many policemen were caught, locked up in the local prison. Their lives were spared only by the supplications of three clergymen. Mob rule set in. Stores were plundered. Thousands of dollars of damage was done.

Troops in war accoutrement from Halifax and Toronto arrived to guard the coalfields; but no move was made by them to check the rioters, whose activities spread to Sydney, the nearest large town. Women and children joined in the fray, numerous stores of the Corporation were completely emptied of their stocks, some were burned. Military reinforcement was expected.