The record-union., 1891-05-04
LABOR TROUBLES IN EUROPE.

exercise the least authority over the men.
LABOR TROUBLES IN EUROPE.
France Greatly Excited Over the Mas
Sacre at Fourmies.
PARIS, May 3.-The details of the labor
trouble at Fourmies have immensely
heightened the political importance of the
incident. The fact that six women, sew
eral children and eight men were killed
on the spot, while twenty were seriously
wounded, several fatally, gives the affair
the character of a massacre. The soldiers
were merely exposed to throwing,
but they replied with successive volleys
from their rifles, inflicting frightful
wounds on the victims. The houses eX-
posed to the fire were riddled, and there
is every sign of reckless and wanton in
humanity shown by the troops. The
local popular commotion is intense, and
it finds response in a growing excite
ment in every working center.
Fourmies tonight is practically in a
state of seige. Cavalry patrol the streets,
and are everywhere greeted with yells of
reprobation from the excited groups of
men and women. The tension of feeling
may be judged from the fact that the
military is hailed with cries of ''Viye
Prussia"
The funerals of the victims were fixed
for to-day, but the enormous number of
workmen arriving from other industrial
centerS caused the Government to send
for reinforcements and order the post
pOnement of the funerals until tomorrow
The Prefect to-day refused to receive a
deputation asking for the removal of the
regiment that fired upon the crowd. A
section of the Left and the Socialist and
BOulangist Deputies viii join in demand
To-
Constans, Minister Of the Interior, as re-
spOnsible for the slaughter The major
ltY of the Right and Left aQproves gen
orally the measures of REPRESSION taken
by COnstans throughout the country, but
will advocate inquiry into the conduct of
the troops at Fourmies.
Parliamentary circles view the affair
as shaking the position of the Ministry.
The labor centers throughout France are
profoundly moved and public meetings
here and at Marseilles, Lyons and else
where are being organized to protest
against the preclpltate action of the
authorities.
The commander at Fourmies, in his re-
port to the Minister of War on the May
Day troubles, assumes full responsibility
for the action Of the troops. He says he
only ordered the firing when the troops
were in danger of being killed or dis
armed.
EiGHI-HOUR MONEM
LONDON, May 3.-The principal towns
OF Germany, Holland and Switzerland
were to-day the scenes of demonstrations
OF workmen in favor of the eight-hour
movement. In Hamburg, 80, 900 persons,
one-tenth of whom were the wives and
sweethearts Of the worl<men, paraded
through the suburb of Hern. After a
short meeting IN the public park, at which
appropriate resolutions were adopted, the
crowd HiSnnrSa6 Il oIf fha,
der of the day to music and dancing. No
disorder was reported anywhere.
l1fthe Belgian mine districts disorders
still prevail, and many telephone wires
were cut and windows smashed Meet
ings We're held at Liege, Seraing and other
places to denounce the action of the Brus-
sells Labor Union, which sent delegates to
the various centers to delay or prevent
strikes. AT these meetings it was de-
cided to disregard the advice of the union
and commence general strike to-mor-
row.
n stage Of siege has been proclaimed in
the villages around Liege.
The attendance at the labor meeting in
Hyde Park to-day was variously esti-
mated at from 100000 to 100000. A pro-
ceSsIOn in connection with the meeting
included workers at all trades and was
miles long. John Burns, Mr. Thomas,
President of the Dockers' Union; Benia-
bers of Parliament, were among the
speakers. A resolution in favor Of COM
pulsory labor day of eight hours was
moved ON all platforms
From various dispatches it is ascer-
tanned that, in general, quiet prevailed in
Continental countries to-day. A number
OF labor meetings were held in Berlin
and passed resolutions favoring COM
pulsory eight-hour labor day.
EMPLOYEES DISMISSED.
VIENNA, May 3.-Fifteen thousand
weavers at Bielitz, and 1000 employees at
Pesth, have been dismissed for being alb
sent from work on May-Day.
DISORDER IN BARCELONA.
BARCELONA, May 3.-Considerable dis
order prevails here. Five petards were
exploded during last night, causing great
alarm and doing much damage. A con-
fiict between the police and strikers has
just taken place. Pistol shots We're eX-
changed. The ringleaders among the
rioters have been arrested.
rr-xx . rcJ.-N>r rrN-TTI