The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-30
Day of Rejoicing Marred by
Tragedy and License.
LAW, ORDER, AND DECENCY DEFIED
Eight or Ten People Killed Outright and
Hundreds Injured by the UncOnrr0lia BILE
Crowds that Lined the Route of the Re-
turning City Imperial Volunteers from
south Africa - Followed by an Awful
Night Of Unlicensed Hoodlumism.

| London. Oct. 29.-The Homecoming Of
the City Imperial Volunteers to-day was
| attended with the widest scenes of en-
1 thusiasm, and the greatest crush OF
/ crowds ever witnessed in London.
/ The list of casualties among the well
/ coming multitude was longer than that OF
the whole corps in its twenty-six. engage
nlents in South Africa. Partial returns
/ from the hospitals and police stations
! indicate that more than 200 were badly
/ hurt. eight and possibly ten being killed
outright.
There were 1900 police and 22,0oO troops
on duty along the line of march, but
/ they were unable 10 manage the crowds
/ Women and girls tainted. and were tram
pied under foot Stands overloaded with
/ sight-seers fell in. Twelve persons out
| of thirty, who were riding on top OF
| mail wagon, whose wheels gave way, had
| their bones broken. Two children were
killed A man, who was leaning over the
parapet of the roof of four-story build
/ ing, lost his balance and fell u~on a
/ group OF women, killing one and hurting
\ two others, but walked away himself ap-
parently uninjured.
The crush of the populace became so
| terrible at the marble arch that the peo-
/ pie broke through the Gordon and when
/ the field was again cleared forty persons
( recurring the aid of ambulance surgeons
/ were left lying on the ground. several OF
| them suffering from serious Injuries.
Heroes Go Down in Crush.
In narrow Fleet street the crowds broke
| down ali the barriers. and sight-seers. sol
/ diers. police, and City Imperial Volun-
| teers were mixed in a confused mass.
1 from which the volunteers had TO be final
| ly extricated In single file.
| A fractious cavalry horse stampeded
| the crowd at Ludgate Circus, and fifty
persons. who were injured, had 10 be at
| tended 10 by the ambulance corps.
Along the whole length Of Fleet street
| the scenes could be only likened 10 a
/ continual football scrimmage. but IL was
/ even more exciting. Shrieks and groans
! filed the air. people were hurled to the
| ground and trampied upon. Life Guards
| on horseback. were swept of and lost In
| the struggling mass of humanity. after
| impOtent struggles - stem the pressure
| of the panic-stricken mob.
| Many OF the soldiers on the line Of
| march were hurt In cOmbats with the
| crowd Altogether. London had a wild day
l with much fun. and, Un nxrtundtciy. a deal
| of grief In many households because OF
| the accidents
/ Indeed. the only surprising feature Is
! that the casualties were not twice as nu-
nlerOus, for when night fell the streets
Of London would have done credit 10 the
commune. II was d scene OF unchecked
saturnalia that met the eye. Fighting and
swearing throngs fought vainly among
themselves for the right OF way. Half an
yards progress along the Strand. and the
feat could only be accomplished at the
/ ,isk OF life or limb. The few isolated po-
lIcemen IN evidence we're borne helpless
70 -Hsag e..
whose .nyariable characteristics was
/ drunkenness. partial or complete.
| Night RveH Worse Tban nay.
The night was a repetition OF "Mafeking
night" without the redeeming excuses Of
that celebrated orgy. London was turned
over to the worst elements OF its pOpU-
lation. Women were insulted. kissed, OF
thrown down with impunity ia street
fights. Pursued al the sweet VIII OF in
ebriated braglers from the sidewalks
Z they streamed along historic thorough
fares shouting. sobb!ng, and brandishlng
. peacock feathers with inane deprayity.
siany OF them offered no exception TO the
rule Of drunkenness. Babes IN arms eculi
frequently be seen. Countless different
uniforms OF soldiers OF the empire. regu-
I lars. volunteers, and colonials. added vivid
color % an extraordinary spectacle. the
ike Of which was never witnessed IN zny
American city.
In justice 10 the heroes Of the demon
stratlon IL should be said that few Of
them participated in the nights eelebrd-
t!on Indeed, they sFeMeS 70 be almost
forgotten in the general desire % take
advantage Of the opportunity Of unbvldiet
de0auch and the defiance Of all law. or
der, and deesncy-
ssrviyor. Of Bsine'svs Charge.
Among the most interesting features OF
I the display Vas the presence n the pro-
eession OF the inYalidsd city Imperial Vol
untesFE in carriages. nying the Red Cross
hag. and the assembgsge at a conspicuous
point in fleet street Of the few remaining
survivors OF the BalaeIava charge.
After an eight hours march. broken b.
a sermon az 81 PapFs Cathedral by the
Bishop OF Stepney and speech by Lord
Mayor Newton al the Guild Hall. the vol
Unteers sat down 70 a course dinner al
1 the headquarters Of the Ancient and Hon
orzble Artillery Of London. where Lord
4 Nsr aft