Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-01
CITYLIKE ARMED CAMP
Only Vigilance of Troops Stay
ed Disorders
IN PARIS STREETS TODAY
Air of Uncertainty Prevailed Every
where.
EXTENSIVE PLANS OF MILITARY
Hundreds of Arrests Made-Attempts
to Form Procession Frustrated
No Serious Outbreaks.
IN PARIS STREETS TODAY
EXTENSIVE PLANS OF MILITARY

PARIS, Mag, May l. the day for winch
the government made prodgious prepara-
tlons finds many quarters OF the city pre-
senting the appearance of an armed camp.
The forces concentrated under Project of
Police Leplne are estimated at $4,000 troops
1900 police and 5000 republican guards,
gendarmes and detectives. Detachments of
troops of all arms took up positions in the
main centers at an early hour.
The bulk of the military forces had been
strictly confined TO barracks since midnight
and remained under orders to be ready to
move at a moments notice. The troops at
midnight began to guard the public sources
of water, gas and electric supply
The plan of the authorities was to avoid
the use of the military unless such a step
was imperative to maintain order. Accord
ingly the aspect of the city during the
early hours was little different from usual
but toward noon the military activity in
creased.
The Metropolitan railroad and the omni-
buses continued to operate, but cab tratfic
was crippled, owing to the cabmen's fears
The extensive central markets were desert
ed. the country folk refusing to risk bring
ing in provisions. The suburbs. which are
guarded by troops, were reported calm.
Strong bodies of troops are posted at the
main railroad depots in the city, The st.
Lazare station Is surrounded by a squad
ron of CuiTassiers, several companies of in
fantry and republican guards.
Business District PatrolIed.
Prior to the opening of the bourse a
regiment of infantry took up a position
on the terrace, and detachmeuts of cui-
rassiers occupied the neighboring streets.
The bourse opened at the usual hour, but
business was restricted.
The Bank of France was similarly
guarded by infantry and cavalry and
pickets of troops patrolled the vicinity
of all the leading banks and important
commercial establishments.
The American Express Company and
many other Institutions had guards of in
fantry men carrying rifles pacing up and
down before their doors,
The appearance or the sentinels and
patrols on the main bOulevards and
streets was an unusual sight. Squads Of
dragons passed frequently through the
-JeWelry districts, the Rue de la Paix.
where a number of the stores did not
raise their iron shutters.
Chief Center of Animation
The Place de la Republique is the chief
center Of the labor animation. The stores
in its neighborhood are closed, and po-
lice patrols were busy keeping the
crowds circulating. Many of the strikers
wore a cockade bearing emblem with
the words Eight hours work with a
weekly holiday
About 1900 infantry occupied the bar
racks facing the Place de Ia RepubliQue,
and other regiments were stationed in
houses adjoining the labor exchange and
the headquarters of the confederation of
labor.
The iron doors and windows of the
Prince Eugene barracks are closed.
The labor exchange opened at and the
bakers and printers held meetings, the
other trades following their example later.
All the streets in the neighborhOod are
guarded by pickets of troops and patrols
are keeping up communication with the
waiting main bodies of troops.
Arrest Of Organizers.
The arrest of the organizers OF the pro-
posed labor demonstrations left the move
ment without central direction, each trade
acting Independently. The trades deciding
TO participate in the demonstration, which
included the metal workers, with seventeen
separate branches; the photographers car
penters' tinsmiths, the building trades. in
Guiding the painters, stonemasons. stone
cutters and day laborers, the jewellers. book
printers and binders draughtsmen, car
riage builders and metal workers.
The numbers OF the various trades vary
from ] 300 to 1000. The total number OF
strikers Is variousy estimated at about
$1,000 but the Reorganization following the
arrests prevents any unity of action
The first disturbance occurred at IL
o'clock. when the police called on the troops
to assist them in keeping the crowds circu-
lating on the Place de la Republique.
$50 Arrests Made
Two sluadrons OF cavalry quickly swung
into the square, while $50 arrests Of disor-
derIy persons were made by the police. The
prisoners were formed into groups and
two magistrates. sitting at the neighboring
barracks. PROMPTLY tried the disturbers of
the peace and committed them to jal This
however, was not sufficient TO break up the
crowds the square Bodies Of strikers
chanting the new revolutionary hymn at
tackled tile police, using bricks and cobble-
stones. Reinforcements of police soon ar
rived.
They charged the crowds with drawn re-
volvers and the rioters broke and fed The
storekeepers in the neighborhood Of the
scene Of the affray hastily closed their
doors and shutters. fearing a general spread
OF the agitation. but the police succeeded
IN confining the demonstration to the streets
near the Place de Ia Republique Tn
to noon the disorder had been localized and
the authorities were easily master OF the
situation,
Reports from the large provincial cities
show the existence OF feeling OF general
unrest, but the situation is not critical.