New-York tribune., 1903-04-09
MAY END ROME STRIKE.
arbitration Fauored-Troops Keep
Order IN the City.

Rome April S-The leader of the Socialists has
decided to propose that the differences between
the typesetters and their employers. wh1ch
brought about the general strike here, should be
settled by arbitration. This proposition Is likely
to be accepted. in which case the general strike
will be ended.
The aspect of Rome was completely changed
early to-day. The gay. crowded city or yes
terday seemed dead No cabs passed through
the streets, and even the streetcars. which ran
at long intervals were escorted by police and
were almost empty, the people feared to ride
in them on account of the threats of the strfk-
ers The overcast sky added melancholy to the
scene. The shops were open, but the shutters
up, the proprietors intended TO De READY
for any eventuality. They were apprehenslVe
of rioting and feared on other occasions, that
their windows would be smashed.
The whole city was occupied by troops De-
tachments of cavalry were posted on the
squares and special details of soldiers and police
were stationed around the Vatican. so as to pre-
vent any attempt against the Papal palace
Foreigners continue to fly from Rome, but many
of them cannot get away. as they are far. from
the railroad station. cabs are obtainable ana
the hotel omnibuses can carry only q limited
number Of passengers. If the strike continues
and all the foreigners leave the city, 1t is SAID
that the boarding house keepers alone will lose
on an average $4,000 daily.
Unimportant encounters between the strikers
and troops took place during the morning, the
former wishing to hold meetings, which were
forbidden, reach the centre Of the city; but
the strikers were easily dispersed by cavalry
charges which were scarcely necessary. An
attempt made by strikers to overthrow a
streetcar. but 1t failed.
Five hundred French pilgrims arrived here
this morning and had some startling expert
ences They got off at station the out
skirts of Rome, so as to avoid going through the
city, but there cabs. and all kinds of
wagons and carts were hired to take the pill
grims' baggage. The men and women Of the
party arrived at the Garibaldi Bridge just as q
detachment of cavalry charged mob, and a
scene of indescribable confusion ensued. With
screams and shouts the pilgrims. in their eff
forts to escape. were scattered in all directions,
and some of them have not yet been found.
About the middle of the day the strikers
succeeded in gathering in threatening numbers
on the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, almost in the
centre of the city, and detachmentS of troops
charged, fired three volleys and dispersed them.
About a dozen men were reported to have been
wounded. The officials reported that order
had been completely re-established at noon.
Many strikers were arrested during the day.
The government is determined to have a suffi-
cient force of troops on hand to maintain order
under any circumstances. and issued instruc-
ton to send ten more battalions of troops to
Rome.
The Pope was much interested in the partcu-
lars OF the strike. He said:
1T is a sword with two edges"
The Pontiff also expressed sorrow at the dam
age done TO the interests of the city, and also
because the strike interferes with the religious
ceremonies of Easter Instructions issued
to close the churches wherever disturbances oc-
CURED. and the prelates of st. Peters met to-
day to consider whether not to suspend the
Easter services, fearing that the strikers may
Peters
Rain fell during the afternoon. which assisted
the authorities in maintaining the tranquility
of the city.
The King, who some days ago went with the
Queen and the royal children to the hunting
lodge near Rome. has informed the ministers