Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-08
Troops Fire on Rioters in
Rome.
BUSINESS FRUSTRATED
NO CABS AND FEW STREET CARS
RUNNING.
Startling Experience Of a Band of
French Pilgrims Visiting the
italian Capital.

ROME, April S.-The aspect of Rome was
completely changed early today. The gay
crowded city of yesterday seemed dead.
No cabs passed through the streets, and
even the street cars, which ran at long
intervals were escorted by police and were
almost empty, as the people feared to ride
in them on account of the threats of the
strikers. The shops were open, but the
shutters were up. as the proprietors in
tended to be ready for any eventuality.
They were apprehensive of rioting and
feared, as on other occasions that their
windows would be smashed.
The whole city occupied by troops.
Detachments of cavalry were posted on
the squares and special details of SOL
diers and police were stationed around the
Vatican SO as to prevent any attempt
against the papal palace.
Foreigners continue to leave Rome, but
many of them cannot get away, as they
are far from the railroad station, no cabs
are obtainable and the hotel omnbuses
can carry only limited number of pas
sengers.
If the strike continues and all the for
eigners leave the city, 1t is said that the
boarding house keepers alone will lose on
an average $4,000 daily.
Clashes With the Troops.
Unmportant encounters between the
strikers and troops took place during the
morning the former wishing to hold meet
ings which were forbidden, reach the
center of the city, but the strikers were
easily dispersed by cavalry charges.
During the morning an attempt was made
by strikers to overthrow street car, but
it failed.
Five hundred French pilgrims arrived here
today and had some startling experiences.
They got off at a station on the outskirts
of Rome, SO as to avoid going through the
rit hr,x thnr 90 nc nd a ind
of wagons and carts were hired to take
the pilgrims baggage. The men and wo-
men of the party arrived at the Garibaldi
bridge just as detachment of cavalry
charged a mob. and a scene of indescrib-
able confusion ensued. With screams and
shouts the pilgrims in their efforts to es-
cape were scattered in all directions.
Dozen Men Wounded.
About the middle of the day the strikers
succeeded in gathering in threatening num-
bers on the Corso vittorto Emmanuele, al
most in the center of the city. and detach-
ments of troops charged, fired three vol
leys and dispersed them. About dozen
men were reported to have been wounded.
The officials reported that order had been
completely re-established since noon, but
Rome was still occupied by the military
forces and the general strike continued.
Many strikers were arrested during the
day.
The government has determined to have
a sufficient force Of troops on hand to
maintain order under any circumstances,
and has issued instruction to send ten more
battalions Of troops to Rome. They will ar
rive here today.
Pope Interested In Strike.
The pope was much interested in the
particulars Of the strike. He said:
1T Is sword with two edges"
He also expressed sorrow at the damage
done the interests of the city. and also
because the strike interferes with the reli-
g1ous ceremonies of Easter.
Instructions we're issued to close the
churches wherever disturbances occurred
and the prelates of ST. Peters met during
the day to decide whether or not to sus-
pend the Easter services. fearing that the
strikers may enter st. Peters and provoke
disorder.