The Indianapolis journal., 1892-03-30
RIOT AT PRAGUE.

Patriotic Czechs Cut Down by Policemen's
Swords-Msny Arrested and Locked Up.
PRAGUE. March 29.-Some time ago prep
aratiOns were begun in this city by the Ea-
tional Czcchs TO celebrate the anniversary
of the birth of John COmenius, the dis
tinguished educational reformer. He was
born March %, 1892. After the prepara-
tiOns had in many cases been completed.
the government issued an order fOrbldding
the celebration. The CZechs were highly
indignant. and the leaders declared that
the day should be celebrated in spite of the
prohibition issued by the government.
The authorities expected trouble. and the
entire police force of the city were ordered
on duty. The day passed quietly enough,
bnt at o'clock last evening an enormous
crowd surrounded the monument of the poet
Halek, on the Carl platz. The police
attempted to disperse the crowd. but they
were resisted with dogged determination.
Orders were then given to charge the
crowd. and desperate fighting followed.
The rioters were armed with sticks, and
they dealt many severe blows to tho
ger. .darmes The latter slashed right and
left with their swords. and finally. after
pitched battle. the rioters were forced to
retreat. Many were placed under arrest,
and it was thought for time that there
would be no further trouble.
The vigilance of the police was not re-
laxed. however. and it W as well 1t was not.
1t was not long before the crowd assem-
bIed again. this time IN Bethlehem platz.
where John Huss, the bohemian reformer.
preached nearly five hundred years ago.
Here ringing cheers were given for Co
menus mingled with cries of Down with
Gautsch" the Minister OF Education. The
crowd was having things all it's own way
when suddenly the police made another
charge upon it. Another stubborn tight
followed, the crowd using sticks and stones
and any other weapons that camo handy.
There was hand-to- hand fighting for q
short time. but finally the mob was driven
from the square.
Then singly and In groups tho rioters
marched to ths Town Hall. where they
massed and sung the national songs. After
amusing themselves in this manner for q
time without police interference. some of
the crowd shouted Let's make for the
Jews" The cry was taken up. and with
yells of TO Joseph stadt," the Jewish
quarter, the crowd started in that direc-
tiOn. TO vent their fury on the inotfensive
Hebrews. The police. however, were
warned of the proposed attack upon the
Jews. and q detachment of mounted police
had been dispatched to head OFT the rioters.
The crowd marched on shou ting and yell
ing, until it UNEXPECTEDLY found the route
blocked by the police. Nothing Qaunteu,
however, the mob pressed on: eager to
reach the jewish quarter. The police
now acted with decision. determined to put
the riot down efectualy. Spurring their
horses. they dashed into the crowd. heed
less of whom they rode down. and siashed
here, there and every where with their
swords. The crowd hold together for a
short time and the police drew off, only to
again reform in line and charge upon the
mob This time the mob wavered little
under the onslaught and the police. motto
ing its lndecisIon, redoubled their efforts,
and again the spurs wore driven into the
flanks of their horses. The animals dashed
furiously among the crowd. their irOn-shod
hoofs striking down and seriously lnjuring
a large number of the rioters. The mob
lost compactness and broke and ran. taking
advantage of the friendly darkness and
convenient aileyways to escape the police.
who prosecuted Il rigorous searcn for them
in every direction. A large number of the
rioters received severe sword wounds.
They were removed in custody to tho hos
pital. where their wounds were dressed.
after which they were locked no. To-day
the city wears Its normal aspect and no
further trouble is apprehended.