Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-06-01
GENERAL STRIKE
OF FRENCH SAILORS
Involves the Whole Country and
May Completely ParaIyze
Commerce.
PENSIONS CAUSE OF TROUBLE
Government Bill Increases Them hut
Increase Is Regarded as Inadc-
guate--Tic-up IL Complete,

Paris, May 3l.--A general strike Of
sailors and others belonging to the
French naval reserve, began at almost
all The ports OF Franco at daylight 20.
day. and threatens the complete par
alysis OF French commerce. The nay-
cation committees are making ener.
getic representations to the govern.
ment. claiming that tho movement is
not directed against them. and saving
that unless 1t is settled Immediately 1t
VIII cause untold injury to French
commerce.
Unlike an ordinary strike. this move
nent is not attended with bitterness
against the employers. or revolutions
airy feelings. The manifestations are
made with the object of drawing the
attention OF the country to the strlk-
ors' cause The naval rescryists claim
In manifesto issued today. In which
they asked the support Of all classes,
mat II is impossible for the widows OF
seamon to support themselves and raise
children on the pensions granted by the
government.
The men are woll-behayod, and as
an instance Of the sentiments back OF
inc strike there is tho fact that hprbor
watches have been provided by the
strikers Tor all ships in port
The government is fully alive to the
Importance OF the movement. aud IL
mas made arrangements TO assure the
continuation OF he maritime postal
services and the transported ion OF per-
ishuble cargoes Tho ca binet Will hold
a special meeting tomorrow I'm an er-
Tort 10 find way TO bring the strike
TO an end. Many persons consider that
the seamcus union acted i'm this mat
mr.. tool ,,tt
all could have been arranged through
consultation with the authorities Up
to the present time the strike has been
characterized by an unusual lack OF
disorder or violence,
The leading steamship lines are much
embarrassed and have appealed to the
government to take rapid steps to re-
move the cause Of a state OF affairs by
which they alone suffer, although they
are in no way responsible for the
strike.
The naval reserves comprise nearly
the entire maritime population engaged
in seafaring life, aud number llI0OO
men. of whom - 600 are serving I'm the
navy. In addition to practically all the
steamers of the mercantile marine
most of the longshoremen belong TO the
naval reserve.
The strike was declared by the eX-
ccutive committee of the National
Seamen's union because the govern
mont's new bill increasing pensions
from $40. 50 to $12 50 I'm the case OF sea-
men ana from Si56 to 5000 in the case of
captains IS regarded by the members
OF the union as being inadequate.
The tie-pp is almost complete ar the
Mediterranean, Atlantic and channel
ports. The crews generally left their
ships and The government commis-
stoned the torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destroycrs to carry on the man
service with the colonies and with
Mediterranean ports respectively.
The French Transatlantic Steamship
company announced today that neither
La Province nor La Gascogne would be
able TO sail for New York tomorrow,
every man Of both crews having aban-
doned their ships. similar conditions
prevail at Bordeaux.
officials Of the French line have re-
quested the government to lend them
crews from the naval depots but no re-
ply has yet been received. Legally
| the companies are in a position to CO.
cree the men. as, being members of
| the naval reserve. the crews are sub
| ject to heavy penalties for insubordin-
| alton. hut It IL regarded as likely that
they will try to effect a compromise.
At Marseiles the sailors and long
shoremen struck almost to man, and
| all the uSnermel drew up NUfli new
| The strike is as complete at HaVre, but
up to this evening the men had not
struck at Brest.
Several thousand owigTants are mere
| awaiting transportation on La Gas
cocne for America,
No violence has been reported. The
| strike committee is advising the men
10 remain calm,
The stewards and cooks of the trans
atlantic steamers have Joined the
strikers
Toulon. May 3I-The strike Of the
! sailors oud lougshoremen here Is COM
! plctc. Torpedo boats and torpedo boat
| destroyers are held In readiness FOR
| mail service I'm the Mediterranean.
! Bordeaux. France, MAY $i,-The sea
! men here met today and voted TO join
| the strike.
Nantes. France, May 3l,--The sailors
of this port have decided 10 join in the
| strike.
shoremen here have abandoned their
work.