The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-10
SIC[LY'S ANT[-TAX RIOTS.
THE TROUBLE EXTENDS ALL
OVER THE BIG ISLAND.

Violence in Towns From the Western
Coast of Sicily Almost to the Foot
Mount Etna-Rioters Killed by
VolIeys From the Soldiery-More
Troops Going to the Scene.
Lercara Friani, Sicily, the scene of a fight
; between mob and body of troops grow.
ing out OF the antl-tax agitation, has again
witnessed more serious affray, In which
four persons were killed and many wound.
ed. The first fight, in which two persons
were wounded, furthe. infamed the anger
OF the people, and they determined to make
another demonstration against the odious
octroi tax and the Municipal Councillors who
insisted upon its enforcement.
A large crowd baraded the streets and be
came so riotous that body of troops was
despatched to disperse them. The troops at.
tempted to clear the streets, wnereupon they
wore attacked with stones and other missiles
The soldiers were ordered to fire. and poured
syolley into the rioters, who then fed. leaving
four oitheir number dead in the street, while
many others fell to the ground more or less
seriously wounded. Great excitement pre-.
vailed in the town. and it was thought that
further trouble would occur when rhe fun
erals OF the victims were held.
During an anti-tax riot at Terrasini, near
Palermo, the octroi Offices were set on fire,
and were completely destroyed.
A riot was caused in Valguarnera by
Police Commissary arresting Socialist who
was preaching revolt. A thousand men and
women stormed the gendarmes' barracks in
an attempt to rescue the prisoner, but were
repulsed. The mob atterward set fire to the
Town Hall, the Postoface, the magistrates
Office, and heresidence OF the Mayor, Police
Commissary, and several citizens, all OF
which were badly damaged or destroyed.
Before the troops fired on the people In
Lercara Friani the police had vainly tried to
dispsrse the moo. The rioters received the
troops with hatchets and showers OF stones
and did not yield an inch until fired upon.
As under General Peloux. lately Minister
of War, the regulations for heyearly calling
under arms of men completing their twen-
tieth year was insufficiently observed, dc.
cree is about &c .pe issued enforcing the full
lavy. The GoveEnment recognizes the neces-
slty of maintaining the strength Of tine gar.
risons in upper Italy, which have been
partly depleted through the desparch OF
troops to Sicily to check the anti-sax and
Socialist movement there. The military
journals concur in the opinion that calling
out the men will simply put the army in its
normal condition, which was affected by the
reduction OF the effective under General
Pelloux.
Premier Crispi has sent circular to the
projects in Sicily requesting them to urge
the communal Mayors to conler and devise
means for a more equitable assessment OF
taxes. and to see that the taxes upon the
necessaries OF life are levied without undue
severity.
Prior TO the riot in Lercara Friani the To-
cal workingnen's unions sent telegram to
Premisr Crispi, begging him to intervene
against the octroi duties. The Premier, in
reply, expressed sympathy with the peoples
legitimate demands, pointed out the neces-
sity of preventing violence. and urged the
people to ignore agitators. The unions
telegraphed back to Crispi that they had
posted his message throughout the town
and thas they confided In him.