Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-05-02
NAV DAWN FRANCE


dreaded Nav day in Paris failed to bring
tho ,svolntiou which infammatory
journals predicted, but, none the less, it
b,ouobt scenes of extreme violence. The
labor districts, which thousands OF troops
controlled with difficulty, aud even cen
trail portions of Paris have tsken on the
appearance of siege, with regiments OF
infantry and cavalry camped about the
Arc de Triomphe, the Bourse, the Bank
of France and the great railway station,
while military senIinels pacen before
hanks and private establishments. Inc
main thoroughfares 10 the residential
portion Of Paris remain tranquil. In
the West Eud, far removed from riotous
scenes, people were disposed t" treat the
events in the labor quarters as harmless
efferyescence.
It was, however, much more than that.
Throughout the afternoon dragons,
republican guards and cuirassiers charged
disorderly masses, sweeping the Place de
la Republique and the broad Boulevard de
Magenta. Toward nightfall cavalry
charged With drawn swords, and many
persons we're wounded on both sides.
The manifestants overturned omnl'
buses aud threw up hasty barricades
Over /. 900 arrests were made during tue
day.
The forces for theprotection OF the
city numbered $4,000 troops, $4,000
police and 5000 republican guards, gen.
darmes and detectives.
The total number of strikers was esti-
mated at $4,000.
At no time did the demonstration
reach the magnitude of a revolt, but was
rather leaderless tumult, IN which the
serious labor element, struggling for
principle, WAS hOpelessly confused with
violent sgitators, anarchists, revolution
isis, rougbs and large number of the
curious. The workmen never succeeded
in forming procession or in assembling
more than scattered bands.
Their chief action was reunion OF
several thousands in the labor exchange,
al which resolution was adopted not TO
return to work until the eighl-hour day
shall have been accorded.
The worst hour Of the day were to-
wards O'Clock yesterday evening, when
the police practically lost control aud
we're compelled to rel Y on the mounted
troops. The latter, forming in lines 20
ys.ds across and Is yards apart, swept
around the Place lie la Republique,
driving the disorderly crowds into the
surrounding streets. Most of the mob
sought refuge in the Boulevard de
Magenta and at the Quai de Valmy,
which became centers of disorder.
Here trumpels sounded repeated COM
mands to dispense and the cavalry gal
loped INTO The crowds, trampling and
injuring many. A body of fOoiguards
became surrounded by maniiestants and
WAS rescued with difficulty by cavalry
with drawn swords. Here consider
able number were wounded. BY 8
O'Clock calm had been measurably restor-
ed, and most of the troops returned to
their barracks.
The temper of the workmen last night
WAS threatening. They claim that the
police acted brutality and cite many in-
cilenls Of innocent people being beaten
and arrested. They declare that yeSter-
day was only the beginning of the move
ment.
Reports from the provinces show
that there were violent demonstrations
at Marseilles, Bre-t. Bordeaux, 81. Eli
enne. Lyons md Rouen. AT Marseilles
professions carrying red flags and Great
ing violent disorder came in collision
with the troops, and number of per-
sons were injured. At Bordeaux pre-
cessions paraded the streets singing
revolutionary songs, and the cavalry
charged them, wounding many. AT
Lyons a crowd Of manlfestants attacked
the streets cars, breaking the glass win
dows, whereupOn the Dragons charged
the rioters, wounding a large number.
There were lesser disturbances ut many
points.
A, roulon II, 900 strikers marched in
procession carrying red flags, but there
| Was mn violence