The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-04-25
IS
IN DANGER
Law and Order Bows Before
Mob Violence.
UNDER THE RED FLAG
Riots Increase Because Of Mild
Measures OF the Government
Big Strikes On.
UNDER THE RED FLAG

PARIS, April 25.-France at the pres
ent moment is face to face with the
gravest peril that can menace d de-
mocracy or any form of government.
The law has bowed before the mob
In more than Qua disturbed district,
with the inevitable result. Rebellion
has begun, and anarchy threatens to
follow swiftly not only at the scenes
of the prevailing riots, but In Paris
| Itself
The ranks OF the strikers are being
constantly augmented, and on May
day, the labor day Of France, serious
general movement is probable.
Since the retirement Of Prime Min
lister Waldeck- Rousseau the country
/ has not had strong government in
| its internal administration. Virtual
/ treason has been talked openly in GER
tain quarters for months past When
VI. Clemencsau, who Is the real head
/ NJ the Fallieres administration, came
into power six weeks ago every one
expected stern, Draconic admlnistra
ton. He had been known for twenty
years rs the lion OF French politics.
lie had made and remsde cabinets at
his pleasure, sconing TO take office
himself, yet he was the most feared
man in French political life.
His first action, or that of the cabi-
net, was virtually TO suspend the exc
cutlon OF the separation law. Then
came the Courrisrss disaster. The ig-
norant, supsrstitious population at first
regarded the calamity as a visitation
OF God to punish France for diyorcing
the church and state and they made
violent demonstrations against the
representatives OF authority. This out
burst exhausted itself and popular
wrath turned against the mine owners
A strike began. Clemsnceau went
tn the mines and had all but restored
order when several survivors Of the
disaster, brought to light three weeks
sitter the accident. disclosed the fact
that many more might have been
reached II the work had been intelli-
gently conducted The miners became
convinced that the companies had de
liberately sacrificed many lives by
covering certain shafts in order to
smother the fire. This WAS untrue but
the idea naturally Infatuated the popu-
lace High handed outrages We're COM
mitted aud soon developed into reign
Of terror More than 10000 men joined
In open defiance Of the law aud its
, representatives.
NJ. Clemenceau sent troops to Pas de
Calais. hut they were instructed to he
mild with the errng miners. The
strikers attacked them More than 100
soldiers were wounded, yet not shot
was fired
+ The minister of the interior went
once more to the disturbed districts
) He told the leaders of the strike that
they really must not act in this violent
way He even went so far as 10 init
mate that II things got much worse
the soldiers might be compelled to use
their weapons
At the close of his visit there was al
0 amazing scene NJ. Clemenceau walked
in friendly way down the street witt
large company of reyolutionists
There was red flag in the group and
=, some sang the sedltlous song "lnterna
tlonal"
They met a column of cavalry and
NJ Olemsnceau's companions joined In
j loud Kisses and jeers, and the minister
? Of the interior listened In silence. HI
E made no attempt not to identify him
A self with the insult to authority.
1t is not to be wondered at that the
, movement is spreading like wildfr,
among all the malcontents in the coun
try,
P Great strikes are nov ia progress a
:. Brest, Toulon and most of the seaports
and every preparation has been made
In Paris for n general outbreak Oh May
day or earlier.
The Royalists, Clericals, anarchists
all the enemies OF the government, have
REINFORCED the great body of organized
n labor. What the end will he God alone
knows.
d About 10000 miners are still OF
Q strike, and frequent ARRAYS take place
but the presence there OF $4,000 troops
= aud wholesale arrests OF the ringlead
' ers have measurably restored calm. Ii
the same part OF the country the irOl
and glass workers Of Denain are OF
, strike but most OF them resumed wOrl
owing to the stern repression of tn,
authorities.
Patrols traverse the streets and bou
levards, giving outward evidence o.
strong military preparations