The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-23
FRENCH MINERS, ARE RIOHOUS
CLASH WITH TROOPS, WRO HAVE
ORDERS NOT TO FIRE.

Governments Attitude Brings on a situa-
ton That Daily Grows More Serious
Hunger Adds TO the Anger OF the Men
In Several DIstrlcts-Shops Looted.
Special Cable Despatch 70 TIE Sun.
LENS, April Notwithstanding the
presence of nearly 8 10000 soldiers the whole
colliery district is virtually in a condition
Of revolution. Robbery, destruction and
violence continue.
The Government has not yet abandoned
it's attempts at pacification. and the orders
to the troops are not to interfere with the
strikers unless in self-defence. The COM
handing officers nave interpreted the or
ders very generously and the soldiers have
suffered severely. Their discipline and self
control in face Of cruel peltings with broker
bottles, stones and scraps of iron have been
marvellous.
These attacks have been received more
than once or twice without a shot being
fired or a sword drawn in defence, the only
retaliation being the temporary scattering
Of the mobs by charges Of cavalry, inSwhich
many horses and riders were thrown by
wires stretched across the roads, while the
rioters took refuge behind barbados or in
buildings. In other cases the soldiers n
gendarmes used their weapons, but the
injuries they inflicted we're numerically
trfing compared with those sustained by
the troops.
Tn situation, however, Is becoming in
tolerable, and the commanders are hourly
expecting orders to fire on the strikers.
Fresh troops were arriving all day to-day.
They are compelled to bivouac on the
streets, as all the halls and other available
buildings, including the Labor Exchange,
| here are filed with soldiers who arrived
earlier. 1t is perilous for reporters to
move among the rioters. Several Of hem
only escaped serious consequences by
distributing money. The officers have
warned them that they cannot he response
BILE for their safety.
Meanwhile the fury Of the strikers is
being added to by hunger. Sympathy for
their sufferings in this respect must be
qualified. They have pillaged groceries,
bakers and butchers shops. the owners of
which we're hardly more prosperous than
themselves. They also looted the markets,
and after satisfying their momentary needs
scattered provisions Of all kinds in the
most wanton manner. Small traders who
have thus far escaped robbery are in hourly
dread that their places will he ransacked.
The gendarmes made numerous arrests
to-day. It is expected that this will increase
rather than calm the disorders. More bar
ricades are being built at Liven and other
towns,
According to the Echo dc Paris the troops
in Lens have at length received orders to
reprees the roting there with a strong
hand, firing upon the rioters if necessary,
The Temps reports that the peaceable
people are beginning to take heart owing
to the increased number Of troops de-
spatched to the disturbed sections. The
soldiers are constantly patrolling In the
Denain district. and this caused the strikers
to remain comparatively quiet to-day.
Owing to seditious notices issued by the
labor unions in reference to a demonstration
on May 1 the Board of Works in Paris has
notified contractors that all street work
must be completed by April 80. If this is
impossible the contractors must remove
all tools, paving blocks and everything
else that could be used as missiles. The
public is advised to store oil, candles and
water, as the gas and water supplies may
Dossibly be interfered with.