Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-24
CRISIS IN FRANCE
GRAVE FEARS OF A GENERAL
OUTBREAK.

france indicate tfsat that country ID IN tie
gravest peril. Socialism. anarchy and at
tendant evils stalk abroad in the land and
the government seems powerless.
The law has bowed before the mob in
more than one 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 conditions were provocative and the
opportunity unique The unnatural aiii-
ance of inharmonious groups known as
1.-The bioc'' had gained control of the gov
eminent and elected M. FaIiieres president
of the republic. 1t was known that NJ.
Clemenceau was the real power behind the
throne The opposition was so strong that
1t was thought by M. .Clemenceau's own
supporters among the labor leaders that
the chance was a"good one to demand con-
cesSions.
When NJ Clemenceau came into power
six weeks ago every one expected a stern
Draconic administration. He had been
known for twenty years as the lion Of
French politics. For many years he had
-made and remade cabinets at his pleasure
scorning to take office himself. Yet he was
the most feared man in French political
life.
His first action. or that of the cabinet,
was virtually to suspend the execution OF
the separation law. Then came the
Courferes disaster. The ignorant, supersti-
tious population at first regarded the ca
lamfty as a visitation of God to punish
France for divorcing the church and state,
and they made violent demon STATIONS
against the representatives of authority.
This outburst was naturally treated with
great liberation, until 1t speedily exhausted
itself.
Then popular wrath turned against the
mine owners and a strike began.
M Clemenceau visited the district, and
an lkSaJy To do. ftn trilya
cept the conditions and return to work.
He might have succeeded. but two devel-
opmentS prevented. The miners became
convinced that the companies had deiiber-
ately sacrificed many lives by covering GER
tain shafts In order to smother the fire.
Spreading Sedition.
Then came professional agitators from
Paris who systematically went about
spreading sedition and seeking to change
the movement from. an ordinary strike into
a general insurrectlon. High handed out
RACES We're committed and soon developed
into reign of terror. More than 10000
men Joined in open defiance of the law and
its representatives.
A few troops were sent at first. Their
orders We're to remain concealed in public
buildings and certain mining properties.
When matters became worse more soldiers
were sent. Their instructions were to show
themselves for moral effect, but on no &C.
count to use their arms, even In self-de-
Tense.
The rioters speedily took advantage OF
this licensed Iawlessness. They destroyed
everything they could lay their hands on,
including the railway and telegraph lines,
looted shops and burned houses
Then matters reached a pass which is
almost Incredible. The mob attacked the
troops In the streets, peltfng them with
murderous fusilade of bricks, stones and
other missiles. One or two were killed and
many wounded.
A General Outbreak Feared.
Great strikes are now In progress at
Brest. Toulon and most Of the seaports,
and every preparation has been made in
Paris for a general outbreak on May day
or earlier.
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 violant way. He even
went so far as to intimate that If things
got much worse the soldiers might be COM
PEELED to use their weapons.
At the close of his visit there was an
amazing scene. M. Clemenceau walked In
a friendly way down the street with a large
company of revolutlonists. There was a
red flag In the group and some sang the
seditlous song International"
They met a column OF cavalry and M
Clemenceaus companions Joined in loud
Kisses and jeers, and the minister of the
interior listened in silence. He made no
attempt not to identify himself with the
insult to authority
The government is most concerned about
Paris. They fear not only demonstrations
by mob, but anarchist outrages. 1t must
be remembered that preannounced riots for
certain date are seldom carried out on ac-
count of the overwhelming preparations
made to deal with them. There will be
many thousands of troops in Paris by the
end of the week, and while some of the
officers are disaffected there is no reason
TO believe that the rank and file are dis
loyal.