The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-12
RIOT MONGERS IN ROME.
THEY RI A TUMUIT WHILE THE
MFRCHANTS Ire Padding.

Tho R1eA 5tones tho Troops and Police ana
Showers the Contents or u Refuse Cart
Upon Them-KniVes aud REVIEWERS Freely
usea-erioVanoes OF Professional Men.
Special Cable Despatch to THE Sun.
ROME, Oct ia monster procession Of 3d.
600 merchants and shopkeepcrs paradod the
streets OF Rome to-day as a protest against the
proposed income tax. A deputation represent
ing tho protesters waited upon tho Prime Min
lister. the Marquis di Rudini, and formally pre-
sented a petition. The Premier promised that
justice should be done.
Atter the procession had marched over Its pro-
scribed route Anarchists took advantage Of the
occasion to start a riot, which assumed q very
serious character before 1t was ~quelled. The
rioters wero armed with sticks, stones, and re-
v%olvers. and used these weapons effectively.
Troops were called out to put down tho dis
turbance, but the rioters turned upon tho sol.
diers and fought them desperately. Several Of
the troops were wounded and ono workingman
was killed. Order was finally restored and q
number Of arrests were made.
In consequence OF tho riot the Project has
ordered that tho Roman Socialist Union be dis
solved.
The city this afternoon presented q remark
able aspect. All the shops and even the cafes
were closed, printed notices on the shutters say
ing that they had been closed for fiscal reasons.
Tho streets leading to tho Capitol were
throngod with enormous crowds. The commit
tee that headed the procession included the
Mayor and the President of tho Board OF Trade.
Having regard for the responsibility Of the
demonstration, the Marquis di Rudini. Prime
Minister and Minister Of the interior, had not
ordered any special police precautions. Doubt
less the organizers OF the demonstration In
tended 1t to DO orderly and digniied. and did
not forosoe tho presence Of professional agi-
tators and riot mongers.
As soon as tho procession started the latter
raised cries OF Down with taxes" Down with
tho Ministry" Tho excitement. which was
great, eliminated whilc the committee was in
terviewing the Prime Minister. The police.
who numbered only forty. soon received rein.
forcemcnts. A squad of gendarmes arriving
with fixed bayonets incensed the crowd, which
1t Is estimated numbered Is. 900.
The shouts changed to Down with tho bay
onets!" and stones were torn from the street and
hurled at the gendarmos. who were also hustled
and struck with fists. When the troops ar
rived tho fury Of tho mob was further increased,
and there was moro stoning.
A refuse cart passing, some OF the mob
seized It's filthy contents. and showered them
upon the troops and gendarmes. The cart
was smashed into fragments. which were used
as weapons. Soon the entire street was a mass
OF nghtlng humanity. knives and reyolvers
were freely used. More troops were hurried to
the scene, and the disturbance was ultimately
quelled.
Although the violence was primarily due to
the law!ess element, the affair Is significant,
and will cause the Ministry to reflect. The
grievance consists in the arbitrary mode OF as.
sessing commercial and professional incomes,
which are taxed 20 per cent. The assessing is
done by agents, whose numbers have been
doubled and trebled throughout the country
during the present year, doubtless at the Gov
ernment's orders.
1t has boon learned that three persons were
killed. Probably fifty were severely injured.
while q large number were slightly hurt. Tho
scene Of the fercest fighting was In the
Piazza Navona. outside of the Ministry OF tho
Interior. the windows of which were wrecked.
Troops patrolled the city during the night.
Everything is quiet now.