Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1905-10-02
LABORERS
DECLINE TO
GO ASHORE
Six Hundred Canal Diggers
Balk at Colon.
CLUBBED INTO SUBMISSION
AND DRIVEN FROM SHIP
lusty Men From Martinique Frighten-
ed at Reports Of Conditions in
Canal Zone. Prefer Death
TO The job,

Colon. oct. six hundred and fif-
ty laborers from Martinique brought
here Friday on the French steamer
Versailles, under contract to work on
the canal, refused to disembark OF
submit to vaccination, which is imper-
ative under the American sanitary
regulations, They clamored to BE-
taken back to Martinique ASSERTING
that they had been misinformed as to
conditions here before they embarked
and that later they learned these con
ditions were intoerable and deadly
Yesterday morning, however, five
hundred of them were with difficulty
persuaded TO land and these were Sent
to points along the line of the canal.
One hundred and fifty remained on
board and declined to leave the ship
under any circumstances. These wer,
forcibly elected from the vessel this
afternoon by Panaman and Canai
Zone policemen, but not until nearly
every one of them had been dubbed
and several bleeding from nasty
wounds. All of yesterday and last
night the Versailles was guarded by
Panaman policemen.
Early this morning the French con-
sui at Colon, appealed to the men to
listen to reason. explaining that they
had left Martinique under contract
with the canal zone emigration agent
guaranteeing payment of their passage
here and that while working on the
canal they would have In addition t.
their wages the guarantee of free
quarters and free medical attendance.
The men, however. were not answer
able to this reasoning Notwithstand-
ing the efforts of the consul and Of the
Do nf
despite the information given them by
several of their countrymen tina
health and other conditions on In
isthmus were satisfactory, and tina
the terms of their employment woulU
enable them 10 save money, they per-
sistentiy refused 10 leave the ship, bar
ing their breasts and invoking death
in preference to going ashore
The captain Of the Versailles, who
all through the trouble. displayed an
extraordinary amount of patience, tola
the men that he was ready TO take
back to Martinique all those who wcrt
able to pay their passage, but the mel
argued that the French government
would be willing to reimburse th'
steamship company, and they them
selves were penniless.
Before noon at the instance Of the
agent of the company and the French
consul, a squad of twelve policemen
went on board the vessel and told the
men that force would be used If they
persisted in their refusal TO disem-
bark. Seeing the police were armed
with bayonets and guns, the men
Jared their breasts and said they pre-
ferred death rather than be taken
ashore. Governor Melendez. Mayor
AIdron, the chief of police and others
argued with the men, but again with
out effect.
Ten additional policemen arrived al
the wharf. but the governor wishing tt
avoid bloodshed. and considering the
police force insufficient, telegraphed To
President Amador, asking permission
to use the Canal Zone police, to which
the president consented. Meantime
twelve policemen from the zone had
arrived at the dock and were being
held in readiness.
At 2 o'clock the laborers were in
formed that they would be given tWr
hours to reconsider their decision. ano
nj 4 o'clock three Of them consented tc
disembark. the others still holding out
Then the Panaman police, armed VIII
clubs, approached the laborers ana on
their refusing to quit the snip. begai
TO club them right and left. the zon'
police few minutes later assisteu II
the clubbing. but with better 1udS
ment and less indiscrmnately. Abou
fifty of the laborers leaped into th'
sea, but all Of the men were able tf
swim The captain, however fowere'
a boat, which picked them ups. Near
ly every man had received blows an'
some OF them were bleeding IRON
ugly wounds.
Seeing that resistance was USELESS
the men yielded, came ashore ana pc
gan 10 eat the food that had beei
placed on the dock in sight of then
FOR several hours. Many OF them hat
not eaten since Saturday. AZ o'clocl
ali the laborers who were In a pitlabl'
condition. were placed on board
train which left for Corozal, wher'
they will be put to work.