DEMONSTRATORS AT RAILWAY TERMINUS; DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE IN COMBAT.




Initials PBS/V/CR/PF



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Background: THERE WERE VIOLENT CLASHES BETWEEN DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE IN TOKYO ON SUNDAY WHEN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND TRADE UNIONISTS TOOK PART IN INTERNATIONAL ANTI-WAR DAY ACTIVITIES.

ONE OF THE FIERCEST ENCOUNTERS TOOK PLACE AT THE WEST TOKYO SUBURBAN RAILWAY TERMINUS AT SHINJUKU, WHERE FIVE THOUSAND DEMONSTRATORS FOUGHT A PITCHED BATTLE WITH POLICE.

THE DEMONSTRATORS BROUGHT RAILWAY TRAFFIC THROUGH THE STATION TO A STANDSTILL AS THEY STORMED ACROSS THE LINES AND ENTERED TRAINS.

PAVING STONES WERE USED AS MISSILES, AND BATTERING RAMS WERE FETCHED IN TO BREAK DOWN THE GATES AROUND THE RAILWAY YARD.

POLICE USED BAYONS AND FIRE HOSES IN THEIR BATTLE WITH THE DEMONSTRATORS. THE ENCOUNTER CONTINUED FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR, AND WAS WATCHED BY A CROWD ESTIMATED AT 20-THOUSAND.