Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-09

London and Paris have always been famous
for mobs. though the outbursts in the two cities
vary widely In their characteristics rejecting
the differences in the national traits of the two
peoples A British mob II noisier, a French
mob Ii bloodier. The one uses its fists, the
other likes fire and birthstone. Yesterdays
mob In London was thoroughly typical. It
booted the police, smashed in shop windows,
and hustled well-dressed people who got In its
path, but. though it had control of the most
aristocratic part of the city for hoursi inflicted
no seriousinjury on property, and aid not kill a
single person. A parallel outburst in Paris
would have resulted in barricades, in volleys,
In con1agration and murder.
Still, q London mob Is not a pleasant episode
II ignites slowly, but when well on fire it burns
hercely. The Englishman Is slow and stubborn,
even In his rowdyism. 1t does not follow that
the present trouble Is over because the rioters
dispersed sullenly at night fall. The same
thing occurred during the Gordon riots. In
that disturbance it took the mob two or three
days to get thoroughly ili-natured and murder
Gus. 1t behooves the authorities, therefore, to
watch narrowly the prevailing symptoms of
discomfort.
The mob, It will be noticed, was not homo
yeneous. 1t grew out of labor agitation upon
which certain notorious socialists tried to i'm
press their theories. This attempt to divert
the original purpose of the meeting into an
attack on the rights of property led to much of
the uproar, for the factions OF the mob fought
hardest among themselves. TO this division of
feeling, perhaps, was due the comparatively
light damage done to life and property. A
good many police and citizens were Knocked
down and maltreated, and number of shops
were looted, but the riot took no very aggres-
sive and definite tendencies. 1t was little
more than an orgy OF noise and rudeness.
In this respect 1t differed materially from
some of its predecessors. The bloodiest, and
perhaps the most destructive mob London ever
saw, was the Gordon rlots in 1850, in which
over four hundred lives were lost and a vast
amount of property was destroyed. Other riots
from time to time have resulted in ruin and
bloodshed. History records a religious riot as
far back as 11S9. during which a convent be-
longing to Westminster Abbey was demolished.
In modern times there were terrible riots in
1716, in 1880, in 1910, in 1915, in 1921, in
1882, in 1888, and In 1866. One OF the most
furious in its temper was that which, in 1892,
attacked ApsIey House, the town residence of
the Duke of Wellington, because he opposed
the reform BILL In fact, it is a characteristic of
London MODS that they almost always owe
their original impulse to some serious motive,
either economic or religious And this may ex-
plain why at first these demonstrations are
sober and moderate. 1t Is only after the baSer
elements come to the front, as they always do
In such disturbances. that the riot takes on a
dangerous aspect.
1t is natural to inquire what political effects
the outburst will have. At first sight 1T would
seem to show q deep-seated animosity to the
privileged classes. But the opposition even
among the rioters to the socialists of their
number suggests that the lower elements of
society are not yet ready to join hands with
those who think to elevate mankind by OBJ
Gterating civilization 1t was only a very few
months ago that an enormous mass meeting
txnrl
name of the poor, against the program of the
Gladstone ministry. This meeting was as large
as that which gathered i'm the same spot yester-
day. and fully as rough and disorderly as that
gathering before it spread out along the streets
in search of mischief. 1t would be a hasty con-
clusion, therefore, to ascribe the mob to the
gathering strength of liberalism. At the same
time 1t bespoke, in rude tones, the discomfort
of the poor under their burdens.
And the uproar in the crowded streets of old
London was echoed in a primitive settlement
in Washington Territory. Human nature is
pretty much the same everywhere.
Senator Hawley's report on the ordnance
supply and requirements of the United States
shows an intelligent familiarity with the sub
tect He concludes that the country is able to
supply Itself with cannon, but that the stock
on hand at present is of very little use. In all
we have 2,065 pieces in our forts and 3,2S5 on
shipboard or ready for vessels But almost
without exception these guns are OF obsolete
patterns, and would not be serviceable in a war
with any foreign nation. He recommends that
the nation at once begin to manufacture i'm.
proved ordnance, calling into service the facili-
ties we now have and enlarging these facilities
as much as may be necessary. He speaks of
the Washington navy yard as one Of the best
sites for the new factories he advises.
The report bristles with facts and suggestions
xx-f1t III
directing legislation.