Evening journal., 1898-10-11
A CRISIS IN FRANCE.
Thousands of Soldiers IN tho
Streets of Paris.
STRIKE GAINS STRENGTH RAPIDLY.
over 10000 Men Now Out--Army In
sympathy with strIIsers-FIgnro
Sees Possibility OF Donnpart-
list or OrIeanist RESTORATION.

sfmpHthE Nith Strl<crh-ft t.nrO
Sees Possibility OF Donnpart-
list or OrIennist Restoration.
PARIS, oct. 11.-Paris is slowly TAX
Ing on the appearance of a huge camp.
Troops are to be seen everywhere. De-
iachments Of infantry or cavalry are on
guard at every spot where building is
being constructed or demolished
Sunday about 900 soldiers Of differ
hnt arms Of the service were brought in
from various points to re-enforce the
military garrison Of the city. There was
no disorder, it is true. but the govern
ment does not intend to be taken by
surprise.
There is a growing spirit of opposi-
tion among the strikers. They resent as
an attack upon their chief strength the
ahstcntion OF any department Of tho
building trades from their strike. Where
persuasion has failed 10 induce hesitat-
Ing workmen to join them. a mild sort
Of violence has been tried Some stone
cutters working upon some sculpture
that will make the Champs Elysees ho-
tel a remarkably fine structure were
disagroeably surprised the other day to
ind a group Of strikers calmly saving
through the tall poles supporting the
scaffolding on which they We're work.
lng Naturally enough, they FASTENED to
get down TO solid earth as quickly as
possible, where they We're coolly in
formed they must put on their coats
and join the strikers in the name of the
solidarity Of labor.
This is the kind OF coercion the gov
ernment has determined to stop, and
this is why so many troops are now
auartered In Paris.
Every heap of stones hides a sentry.
and miniature camps, formed of half n
dozen pioupious, with stacked rifles,
add picturesque touch OF color to the
streets. All along the Cours de la Refine,
the Champs de Mars and Champs Ely
sees groups OF cuirassiers may be seen
riding about slowly or leading their
mounts by bride and smoking to while
away the time.
II must be admitted that the soldiers
cause no fear in the people. Even the
strikers hail them with cries Of "Vive
rarmee!" AT some places where work
Is stll going on, such as the exposition
buildings, recalcitrant workmen hob
mob, chat. joke and argue politics with
the very troops who are there to see
they do not molest the nonstrikers, or
renegades. as they are called by their
former comrades, who have refused to
carry bricks, make lecks, build walls or
paint windows because the navvies
have demanded an increase Of pay.
There are at this moment on strike
5000 nGvvies, 1000 laborers, 500 carriers,
1000 wharnngers, 5000 locksmiths 5000
masons. $500 stonecutters, $500 house
painters. $500 plumbers, $500 carpen-
ters, 1000 mechanics and $500 cabinet
makers.
The bricklayers and wood carpenters
have decided to go on strike.
Several meetings OF workingmen took
place during the day at the Bourse du
Travail, and resolutions favorng a con-
tinuance of the strike were passed.
It Is feared that the strike may soon
spread TO the railway union. Already,
with a view of meeting such a meas
ure, the government is preparing to
utilize a branch Of the military, while,
should the bakers join the ranks Of the
disaffected, bread may have to be made
in the forts around Paris. This, at any
rate, is a report. What is certain is
that the government has taken steps to
protect such men as choose to continue
their work. The Temps says that If
their right to strike is not disputed
their right to work is equally undenia-
bic.
The situation is most critical, More
than 10000 workmen are idle, and their
ranks are constantly increasing. TO
control them there is an army which
has not only sympathy for the people,
but has a secret grievance-namely. the
attacks made upon it by the Drey-
fusists What win be the result if the
people and army should come in con-
flict? Paris-in fact, France-seems to
be on the edge Of a volcano, and the
worst of the situation, said a close OBJ
server, is that there is not a statesman
IN the government or we should not be
In the position we are today.
Caran d'Ache's cartoon in the FL
garo has sinister weight 1t represents
the blind republic turning into the
twenty eighth year of her existence.
Awaiting her in the road are a Medusa
headed hag holding brief bags of the
Dreyfus affair. a sturdy workman
standing idle with folded arms, Britain
MIA with a trident and shield bearing
the motto "Fashoda." the Due dor
leans and the Prince Louis Napoleon,
both ready to enter into possession of
France; a scowling Arab and a long
perspective Of other enemies, and right
into their midst is walking the blind
Phrygian bonneted figure. Philosophy
here truly joins hands with caricature.
Is the French republic really at a turn
ing point in her history?
CONDENSED DISPATCHES.