Dick,
the rebels had no choice but to use violence.

The choice was a peaceful transition as guaranteed by the 1914 Act.
That was the wish of the people.

Dave,
slaughter of innocent people then I believe it is always wrong.

Good for you Dave, but so does everyone else.
Surely you will condemn a gang of people armed by a foreign enemy, against the will of the people in a democratic state, starting an insurrection by murdering an unarmed policeman and culminating in the death of hundreds, mostly civilians, and leading to a bloody civil war and thousands more deaths.