The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-05-05
FRANCETN TNAFERMENT
Great Excitement Over the Kill
ing at Fourmies.
DYNAMITE FOR THE SOLDIERS

Labor Leaders Said to Be Laying In
! a Supply of the Deadly Explosive
for Future Use-The Incident Leads
to an Exciting Scene in the Cham
Der of Deputies.
PARIS, May 5.-The situation at Four
mics, Department du Nord, the scene
of the fatal riot of May day, during the
course of which six women, eight men
and several children were killed and
twenty persons seriously wounded by
the soldiery, is one of the greatest grav-
ity. Cavalry pickets will be stationed
sll along the route of the funeral process
sion of the victims of the May day mas
sacre, for such is the term applied to the
tragedy by the people of Fourmies. The
cavalry along the route will receive in
structions to act promptly and effec-
lively in the event of any trouble arising.
Dynamite for the Troops.
So intense is the excitement of the
working people that it is possible that
the government will still further post
pone the funeral of the persons killed.
The state of opinion among the wage
earners of the northern department can
be imagined from the fact that many of
the leaders of the workingmen have de-
parted for Belgium with the avowed
purpose Of collecting arms and dynamite
wherewith to attack the troops.
A report has reached Fourmies that
300 kilogrammes of dynamite destined
for the use of the people of that place
has been seized.
To Investigate the Killing.
Two delegates have been sent from
this city by the government to Four
mics to make searching inquiry into
the causes which led to the riot, and into
the action of the project at whose COM
mand the troops fired upon the people.
In his report to the war department
the commander of the troops at Four
mics assumes full responsibility for the
action of his men on May day. He de-
clares that the soldiers were ordered to
fire only when it became evident that
they were in danger of being either
killed or disarmed. He also states that
the mob was thrice summoned to dis
perse before the fatal fire was delivered.
A section of the Left and Socialist and
Boulangist deputies join in demanding
vote of censure against RI. Constans,
minister Of the interior, as responsible
for the slaughter. Parliamentary cir
cles view the affair as shaking the posi-
ton Of the ministry. Labor centers
throughout France are profoundly
moved, and public meetings here and at
Marseilles, Lyons and elsewhere are be-
ing organized to protest against the ac-
ton of the authorities.
Minister Constans Assailed.
The chamber of deputies was yester-
day the scene of most exciting episode.
M. Constans, the minister of the interior,
having replied to question with regard
to the Fourmies massacre, was about re-
suming his seat when he was bitterly
assailed by the Radical deputy, M.
Ernest Roche, who, springing to his
feet, shouted at the top of his voice the
word Murderer" In q moment the
chamber was an uproar, the members of
the Right hurting execrations at the
head Of M. Roche, while the Radical
deputies of the Extreme Left cheered
and applauded their colleague.
Removed from the Chamber.
In the midst of great confusion the
chamber voted an order of censure and
exclusion against the recalcitrant dep
uty. No sooner had this been done than
M. Roche, shaking his clenched fists at
the heads of the Conservatives and max
ing his voice clearly heard above the
din, which had now become terrific, in
stentorian tones denounced them as
''varlets worthy of their master"
AT this point the officers approached
the furious deputy and forcibly removed
him from the chamber, which was now
comparable only to a den filled with in
furiatcd wild beasts.