The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-18
RIOTS IN PARIS STREETS.
rHE CITY TERRIBLY EXCITED OYER
THE DREYFUs NATTER.

windows In zola's House smashed by stu.
dents Early In the D~ay-Tumuituous scenes
IN the Chamber when Denana II made
THAT the Question OF Dreyrns's Guiit
ne Cleared Up-The eovornnsnt Threatens
70 Resign ana Narrowly Rscupes DeFeat.
Special Gable Dispatches to THE Sun.
PARIS, Jan. 1.-THE Government persists In
its attitude on the Dreyfus affair. but to-day 1t
encountered a significant failing of in its sup
port in tho Chamber Of Deputies, whom Primo
Minister Meline reiterated tho Governments
intention to follow q policy Of silence and not
10 revise the condemnation Of Dreyfus. Two
test votes yielded only moderate majorities.
Meantime the public agitation continues. Tho
students succeeded this afternoon in forcing
their way across the Seine and making a serious
demonstration in the centre of the city, espe.
cially In tho neighborhood of the house Of NJ.
Zola, the windows of which wore broken.
A crowd numbering over 1000 persons
marched on the boulevards for moro than an
hour shouting down with zola!" death to
the Jewsl" and "Long 1.-Two tho ARMY There
were several sharp encounters with the police,
but 1t was not until $50 p. NJ. that the police
mustered in sufficient force to break up the mob.
Many arrests were made in tho course Of the
day, both in the Latin quarter and in central
Paris.
The Chamber of Deputies reassembled this
afternoon, and much eagerness and excitement
were displayed in anticipation OF the Govern
ment's reply to an Interpolation. notice Of
which had been given by OK. Minister Cayaignac,
with regard to the Dreyfus case.
The latest point of mystihoation regarding
Dreyfus Is whether he did or did not mako q
confession to Capt. Lebrun-Renaud. who was in
charge Of the prisoner when he was publicly do
graded. Tho newspapers having clamored for
an authentic declaration on this point, the
Government issued q note to the effect
that 1t could not comply. as the making
Of such q declaration would DO tacitly counte.
nancing o discussion OF Dreyfus's sentence. 1t
was added that there were also reasons for de-
clining to mako o declaration similar to those
which determined the Government to try the
prisoner in camera.
NJ. Cavaignao was dissatisfied with this reply
and demanded that Gen. Bilot, Minister of
War, make a more definite statement.
Gen. Billot was not present at the opening Of
the Chamber, and Primo Minister Meline an
nounced his intention to postpone the discus.
sion Of the Interpolation. This called forth
many protests. but M. Moline continued: Our
policy of reconciliation has produced excellent
results ct homo and abroad. We appeal to the
wisdom Of the Chamber 10 end this exaggerated
agitation" t.
complained Of Gen. Billot's silence and said that
he (Gen. Bilot) could not be allowed TO hold
aloof when the honor of the army was attacked.
NJ. Lavertujon moved that the discussion be
postponed for o month, but this was rejected by
q vote of 277 to 219.
NJ. Cavaignac again insisted that It was i'm.
perative to dispel the doubt existing in tho
country respecting the guilt Of Dreyfus. M.
Incline was. however. obdurate. Hesaid that If
the Government yielded to NJ. Cavaignao IL
would be sharing In the agitation.
NJ. Cavaisnac thereupon called upon the
House to vote tho Immediate discussion of the
Interpolation. upon which NJ. Meline declared
that II immediate discussion should be voted
the Cabinet would resign.
This produced q general oommotion. The
members left their seats and surrounded the
Ministers. filling the floor between the Govern
ment benches and the tribune. and excitedly
talking and ReBticulating.
Finally q motion indefinitely adjourning the
Incorporation "Ab CarFleu Dy q vote OF 0lO 10
252, after which the House rose.
For q long time after the adjournment there
were excited discussions in the Hobbies. These
turned largely upon the question of Gen. Billot's
position, aud the probable result IL he should
resign.
The centre of interest shifted this evening to
Tivoli Hall, where q mass meeting to protest
against the "Dreyfus Syndicate" was an
hounced to open at g 80 o'clock. MN. Rochefort
and Drumont presided. The speakers arrived
somewhat late. The hall was not then filled.
but large crowd was present.
Leut..Col. Guerin. retired, q member of the
Chamber of Deputies. was the first speaker.
He had hardly begun his address when 1t be-
came apparent that Communists. Socialists. and
Anarchists were present in large numbers and
Dent on opposition. These extremists have been
denouncing in their prints for the last few days
the gagging OF justice, and calling upon all
fevolutionists to oppose tho designs of those
who, under the pretence Of patriotism, are
seeking to enslave the people under the rule of
the sword. They denounced all hole-in.the-
corner trials. whether OF Jews, soldiers, or any
body else.
NJ. Guerin had spoken only a few words when
these disturbers started singing "La Carmagn-
OLE a number of students at tho same time
shouting. Down with lola" The uproar COM
pietely drowned the speakers voice. NJ. Guerin
signalled to his supporters. and they started
singing the Marseillaise."
Soon the uproar was deafening and fighting
began. Several persons with pronouncedly
hebraic countenances were seized and buffeted
and hustled into the street. The Anarchists
tore down the national flags with which the hall
was decorated. shouting. Down with France;
long live anarchy"
This, II possible, intensified the passions of
.hose present, and the hall became q pandemo'
mum OF yelling men. tearing one another's
clothes and hair. punching faces. and battering
each other with bludgeons.
The Anarchists seized the ladder which led to
the high platform erected for tho speakers,
thereby imprisoning the orators. who wero con-
nnea upon their lofty perch for two hours.
Finally. finding that 1t would bo impossible
.oF ahy speeches TO BIO made, tho promoters Of
the meeting hung a notice from the platform
oeclaring the meeting closed. The crowd then
LhThH