Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-08
LONDON POLICE ON A STRIKE.
London Merchants, Terrified, Barricade
Their Stores and Banks.

The strike of the police in the Bow street
station. London took place at IL o'clock last
night, being preceded by riotous proceedings
in the streets, and as a result the people of
London are panic stricken. Merchants and
the bank men barricaded their property and
awaited the morning with great anxiety.
Tho trouble began yesterday morning, and the
disaffection, instead of being suppressed or
allayed, spread everywhere through the force
The vicinity Of the Bow street police court
presented remarkable scene. Thousands of
the criminal classes helped to swell the excited
crowd. The spectators seemed to sympathize
with the police mutineers. The thoroughfare
was completely biockaded, and at 3 o'clock
affairs became so threatening that squadron
of Life Guards were hastily summoned and
arrived on a trot, and simultaneously the
mounted police dashed upon the scene and
charged the crowd. There was a stampede in
every direction. Hundreds of people were
Guards followed the police, dashing right and
left into the surging throng. At IL o'clock the
mob still kept up the rioting and pelted their
pursuers with stones, bottles and bags of -four
kissing and hooting the superior police officers
No men had as yet gone out, but 1t was not
long after IL o'clock before the initiative was
taken and the great strike inaueurated The
force of Z division went into the station at the
usual time, but refused to parade for duty
Assistant Commissioner Howard and Col
MOused were in charge and vainly tried to in
duce the men to alter their determination,
which they absolutely refused to do. The
superior officers then tried to exert their au-
thority, but without avail and disturbance
ensued. Meanwhile the reserves were being
quietly sent out of the station in squads of five
or six. They took their places at different
points in the street. Men were drafted from
other stations for a similar purpose. While
the mob was waiting for the reserves to march
out the streets were quietly Differed
The disorder. however, increased instead of
diminished. bag Of flour and dried fruit
we're hurled ut the police on duty. Commits
sioner Howard was mobbed near the station,
the policemen assisting in the outrage. and it
was with great difficulty that he forced his way
into the station. In the wild disorder outside
men were trampled upon in large numbers.
Every moment the crowd grew larger more
dense and more turbulent. Cheers were
mingled with Kisses. Some jeered the police
and others Missed the officials of the home Sec
rotary. The mob sang the 'Marseillaise,"
Rule Britannia" and other popular songs
ROYALTY IN THE MOB.
Opposite the Bow street station is the Co
vent Garden Theater, where the performance
of an opera was spoiled by the hubbub in the
street The audience withdrew and viewed the
rioters from the balcony. When the mounted
police arrived the good humor of the crowd
quickly turned to bitter opposition. The re-
suit was soon apparent. The mounted men
formed at the top of the street and charged
the mob. desperate struggle followed; men
attempted to drag officers from their horses
The policemen struck their assailants with
their fists and sticks The crowd was broken
by the repeated charges, but reformed as soon
as the mounted officers passed. This was re-
peated for two hours Finally the squadron of
Life Guards arrived Immediately d rumor
spread that the Princess of Wales was in the
theater and had asked for a cavalry escort The
people cheered. Then upon hearing q report
that the squad was bro ught to clear the streets
the mob yelled, hooted, Kissed and cursed
The prince and princess finally left the theater;
the former was cheered and the escort hooted.
The greatest difficulty experienced in
driving the people away from the theater until
forced to quit by the cavalry. Scores of thieves
were ut work IN the crowds, and many rob-
berries were reported. One of the objects of
the mob was to imprison the foot police in the
Bow street barracks The younger men in
sympathy with the strikers and mixed with the
crowd, urging 1t Oh.
At midnight the thoroughfares we're blocked,
ana two-thirds OF the police force were not on
duty: and the old hands were weak in assisting
to preserve order The mounted police acted
with great brutality, many people being in
Jured and several were reported killed. The
mob, angered beyond endurance became revo-
Iutlonary, and groans were uttered for the queen.
AeahhhBs "SIc tcTu Ou TOu SHOPS ana lalQ In
the street to obstruct. and, if possible upset
the cavalry. The policemen cried anarchy"
and shouted like madmen. More Life Guards
came to the rescue, but heavy rain storm
that had just set in. did what the police and
cavalry failed to do-dispersed the mob. At 1
am. Bow street became auieter. The striking
postmen passed through the crowd and were
loudly cheered. Several hundred postmen
went ont last night and the rest will strike in
the morning. The strikers held a meeting,
which was noisy one, and in which the out
break was loudly cheered.
With the policemen and postmen on strike
and signs of mutiny among the soldiers the
situation is not pleasant one, and uneasiness
is felt everywhere.
The men, it is said, propose to follow the
course pursued by the dock strikers When
three-quarters of the night force have arrived
the men will form three deep and await the
appearance of the men inside the station
houses. When the latter come out they will
be called upon to join the movement. This
process it is expected will induce all who may
be doubtful to cast their fortunes with the
strikers. and the night men will then await the
arrival of the morning reliefs and endeavor to
persuade them also to join the strikers ranks
Afterward all the various contingents will
hold a mass meeting in Bond street.
.