Horrible Result of Religious Fanaticism.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 292, 30 April 1889, Page 3

Horrible Result of Religious Fanaticism.

A MAN AND CHILD TORN TO PIECES. BIRDS OF PREY IN AT THE FINISH. [FROM OVB OWS COURXaroNDXNT.] Mslboubm, April 16. Private letters fromtho Mauritius reached Melbourne last Thursday with serious iatelii genes respecting the state of affairs fa ; that misgoverned colony On the 17'h January the Madraaeea (the population of Mauri'ius is 370,000 of whom 260,000 are Indians) hold their annual festival called “Cavedy,” and an Indian on his way home from the heathen temple carried an idol past the Great Mpaque of the Mahomed ano, in Royal street, - Port Louie. The Arabs construed this action into an outrage upon their religion, as there exists a law which prohibits the pssei gof religious processions near places of public worship. In all probability, however, the man was only going ths nsarest way to his house.- Be that as it may, a crowd of Arabs fell upon him and literally tore him in pieces. A poor child, only eight years old, was following him. The little thiug. was, seized, and quartered on tfie appt. Infuriated at these brutal attacks' upon their compatriots, the Madrasegs assembled in ovwpoir--rfag numbers, and the Arabs,took refuge in the Grand Mosque. The fanaticism of both aides was ronsed to the highest pitch, and while the Indiana were furiously i-tracking the mosque, the besieged vigorously defended their stronghold. Stones, bottles,- and s-nd, of which, strangely enough, (in ample stock was stored inside, were rained upon the hi aieg> ra from roof, parapet, and minarpt; and, one r.f ihe mltsiles happening to strike s' Creole who w a passing, the Indians were quickly joined by a strong Creole contingent. The police of the city were unable to quell the disturbance, and: the military were summoned from purgpirs, a etati n lfl milts away fa tbe-fatsricr.' They arrived in town by expreaa.tipin,; and the ..eight of the redcoats caused the asssllants to disperse. The Arabs in the Mosque, to the number of 200 were captured. The ossualities attending thia littj<ew.e amounlrd.tb 12 killed; and 125 woupded. In the meanwhile a number . »f bb-'serbelonging to Wealthy Arabs were, broken open, the Inmates severely beaten-rat' ' lust, one Arab died of the hurts so received —rad quantities of goods, jewellery, and money were stolen, when the mail loft one are legal,gentlemen wpre asked to defend, tbe Arabs. Thgse eight, some of whose nqmgs Stand low down the list sof the iuffior bar, demanded the mojitot aum :of R 5,100.000 for their sgryiesr. The Arabs were considering the qhestfon. They ere rich, and they will be squeezed. But they are able to retaliate. The staple food of the Indian aqd Creole of the Mice, and our butchers’ meat. Tbe daily consumption of rice exeeds 2,600 bags of IfiOlbs. each. I a direct extortion of Ra,27,300 a week. , That, evidently, is the wsy fa which they , mean to pay counsel's fees.