The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-10-18
Thousands Of Soldiers Thousands
Of Strikers.
new TURN IN AFFAIR DREYFUS
Paris in Strange Turn
ed Men Favor Citizens-Erup-
ton Imminent.

PARIS, Oct. 10.-Paris is taking on
the appearance of a great army camp,
with troops everywhere. Detachments
Of infantry or cavalry are on guard at
every spot where a building is being
constructed or demolished. Yesterday
II 900 soldiers of different arms of the
service were brought in from various
points to re-enforce the military gar
| risOn of the city. There was no dis
| order but the Government does not in
tend to be taken by surprise. Every
heap of stones hides a sentry, and
miniature camps with stacked rifles
add picturesque color to the streets.
The soldiers cause no fear. Even
the strikers hail them with cries of
'Vive Iarmee." At some places where
work is still going on, such as the ex-
position buildings, the workmen hob
mob, chat, joke and talk politics with
the troops who are there to see that
they do not modest non-strikers. Par
isians in general seem to look upon the
troops as forming part of a spectacle
specially arranged for their benefit.
Here is summary of the situation:
Forty thousand workmen are idle, and
their ranks are constantly increasing.
To control them there is an army not
only in sympathy with the people. but
having a secret grievance, namely:
The attacks made upon it by Drey-
fusites. Paris, France, seems to lie on
the edge of a volcano, and the worst
of the situation is that there is not a
strong man in the Government to
handle the situation.
There are now on the strike in Paris
10000 men, classified thus: Eight thou
sand navvies, 1000 laborers, 500 cart
ers, 1000 wharfingers, 5000 locksmiths,
5000 masOns, $500 plumbers, $500 car
penters, 1000 mechanics and $500 cab
inet-makers. These numbers may be
increased tomorrow
Various participating trades have
decided to continue the strike, and
strongly wOrded appeals have been
sent to unions that have not yet
joined, among these the Railway
Union. 1t is feared that the strike
may soon spread 10 the railway men.
With view of meeting such a meas
ure, the Government is preparing TO
utilize that branch OF the military.
StDuld the lakerS join tn uisalfGction,
bread may have to be made in the
forts around Paris. 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 the right to work is
equally undeniable. The strikers re-
sent as an attack upon their chief
strength the working of any depart
ment Of the building trades. Where
persuasion has failed 10 induce heSi-
tating wOrkmen to join them violence
has been tried.
Some stOnecutters working upon a
sculpture were surprised to find str.k-
ers saving through the tall poles sup
porting the scaffOlding on which they
were working. They hastened TO the
earth as quickly as possible. where
they were informed that they must put
on their coats and join the strikers.
The strike has grown 10 its present
dimensions through the numerie ii
weakness of the police and their con
sequent inability to cope with large
bodies OF men. whose only work just
now is going about trying to prevent
others from working. The Municipal
Council, after having encouraged
strikes in a certain measure for elec-
tion reasons, seems to be trying TO
back water. All contracts for city
work will be annulled and taken over
for completion bv the municipal
authorities This decision seems late.
| as the nayvies. whose claims Will re-
| ceive satisfaction. now refuse TO begin
work until the other trades have also
won their cause.
! PARIS. Oct. 1O-The bricklayers
and woOdcarvers have decided 10 g
| on strike.