Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-04-24
Revolution Imminent Z?


to be facing the gravest peril that can
menace democracy or any form of gov
srnment
The law has bowed before the mob in
more than one disturbed district, with
the inevitable result Rebellion has be-
gun, and anarchy threatens TO swiftly
follow, not only at the scenes of the pre-
vailing riots, but in Paris ITSELF
The attention of the world cannot fail
to concentrate on the tremendous object
lesson in modern statecrait which France
will be compelled to furnish in the next
few days.
Since the retirement of Prime Minister
Waldeck Rousseau the country has not
had strong government in its internal
administration. Weakness first manifest
ed itself in tolerance OF verbal defiance
of the law. Even President Loubet on
one occasion permitted a red flag to pass
him in procession without protest. Vir-
tual treason has been talked openly in
certain quarters for months past.
There will be attempts made to con-
meet the present labor insurrection with
the agitation against the religious separa-
ton Law. The only connection is the
effect Of bad example. 1t was in
dealing with the rioters who opposed the
authorities taking inventories of church
property that the government first openly
condoned violent defiance Of the law.
Citizens who hagran:ly assaulted public
officers and soldiers who refused to obey
orders were allowed to 60 scot-free. At
tempts to enforce the law in districts
where it was especially unpopular were
finally abandoned entirely under the
plea of inexpediency.
During the recent disorders incident
10 the strike the troops were instructed
TO show themselves for moral effect, but
On no account to use their arms, even
in self-defense. The rioters speedily
took advantage of this licensed lawless-
ness. They destroyed everything they
could lay their hands on, including the
railway and telegraph lines, looted shops
and burned houses. The mob attacked
the troops in the streets. pelting them
with a murderOus fusillade of bricks,
stones, and other missiles. One or two
we're killed and many wounded.
The men composing the military force
in the district are from distant part OF
France. They have no sympathy with
the strikers, and there is not the small.
est doubt that they would gladly obey
orders to suppress the rebellion. Their
courage under the most trying circum-
stances is in strong contrast TO the pusil-
lanimity of their civil superiOrs who de-
prived them of the right to defend the
law.
The minister of the interior went to
the disturbed districts. He told the
leaders of the strike that they really
must not act in this violent way. At the
close of his visit there was an amazing
scene. NJ. Clemenceau walked in a
friendly way down the estreet with a large
company of reyolutiOnists. There was
red flag in the group, and some sang
the seditiOus song "lnternatiOnale. "
They met a column of cavalry, and M.
Clemenceau's 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.
It is not to be wondered at that the
movement is spreading like wildfre
among ali the malcontents in the coun-
try. Great strikes are now in progress
at Brest, TOulon, and most of the sea.
ports, and every preparation has been
made in Paris for a general outbreak on
May dav or earlier.
The Paris Temps says: "The insur'
rec;ion gains in violence, in extent anc
IN perfection also. Each day records
new victory for the revolutionary strate
gists. Ga Friday morning at Haveluy
they routed two squsdrons, seriously
woundiUg captain and several troopers
Al nightiall they seized the village c.
Levin, occupied the railway, tore uE
the gas lamps and telegraph posts anC
planted the red flag on the ruins of
burned house. Thus the revolutionary
standard file from victory to victory
one day throwing its protective colo
over minister's head and the next day
demonstrating the pOwerlessness o
the same minister TO combat against it. y
NJ. Cemenceau apparently fears to re
store order because, his enemies say, h'
is afraid the use of bullets and bayonet'
would cause him to lose in the elections
of May G. This might be the consequence
for organized labor would resent th'
shooting of mobs oil strikers, even if the!
assumed the character Of revolutionists
His hesitation to uphold the law at any
cost, however, now promises TO result 10
a bloody chapter Of French history. The
government itself is most concerne'
about Paris. They fear not only de-
monstrations by mob, but auarchlsti'
outrsges. There will be thousands o
troops in or near Paris by the end OF tn
week, and there is no reason to believ
they are dislOyal.