The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-13
WINE GROWERS IN FERMENT
"NO TAN" DEMONSTRATIONS IN
SOUTH or FRANCE.
VIicuIturlsts OF the Midi. Ruined by Use OF
sugar Among Northern Producers.
Flock 70 BeZiers whole VII lagos
EmptIed-The Government Dehed.
Special Gable Despatch 10 The Sun.

Special Gable Despatch 10 THE SUS.
PARIS, May l2.-At least a hundred thou
sand inhabitants of the Midi met at Beziere
to-day to protest against the lamentable
state into which the wine industry has
fallen, Beginning on Saturday evening
the roads were black with people EN- route
to the meeting place, n special trains
were run carrying attendants at half rates.
As examples OF the interest shown, Cape
stang, with 5000 inhabitants, sent a dele
CATION of 1900, and Argeliers. with a
population of 100, sent 1000. The resi-
dents of many villages e en- masse.
No special police service was needed, as
the manifestation was entirely peaceable.
II was due to the sufferings in the Aude
Herault and Gard departments, which SUBJ
sist entirely upon viticulture and which are
unabl TO sell their wines. For this state of
affairs they blame the Government for al
lowing sugar to be used both for making
artificial wines and for getting a second and
sometimes a third brew from grapes after
the true wine is withdrawn.
In its efforts to get the Government to
restrict the use Of sugar the Midi antagon-
ICES the beet growers of the north. whose
parliamentary influence has hitherto proved
the stronger. II their efforts prove I'M
availing, the wine growers intend to per-
suade those affected to refuse TO pay the
Government taxes by IN agitation which is
likely to meet with much encouragement.
as refusal to pay is already practised at
Argeliers. Baixas and a few other places.
To-day's demonstration followed a fail
ure Of a congress Of delegates on Saturday
TO effect an entente with the north. Be-
eide, tho rannlor troina puhinh in Erannn
are always more numerous on Sundays
than on week days, sixty special trains we're
run to Beziers. The people brought their
food with them. Demonstrators we're lined
up near posts erected to indicate the posi-
ton of the various sections.
Some Of the delegations were led by
Mayors, some by cures and som by con-
stables. Even the doctor and druggist Of
one village Joined a delegation, which
practically emptied the village.
Besides the trains the people came in all
kinds of vehicles. on bicycles and motor
cycles and on foot. raising clouds of
dust. which settled thickly over every
thing. The procession displayed banners
reading:
Republic, be a good mother. Give thy
children bread
NO taxes until we are appeased.
We can die but once"
An empty stomach hath no ears"
I'VE do not come to string pearls"
The Midi is aroused"
ON to Paris"
Cardboard guillotines and prisons for
the makers Of fraudulent wine we're dis
played. One millionaire proprietor marched
amid his workmen and domestics. After
the procession the orators declared that
Parliament must heed such a demonstra-
ton.
At Narboone the municipal elections did
not take place. all the political parties hav-
ing asked the electors TO refrain from ex-
ercising the franchise in protest against
the conditions. The election officials did
not appear, and no list OF candidates was
prepared, On the contrary Narboone sent
a strong delegation to Beziera.