Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-21
TOday's Telegraphic News.
The Disorder in France.


strike riots at Adje mutinied today, &C.
cording to an official announcement
given out by the government this after
noon. The men protested against being
compelled to do police duty against
their countrymen, and their protest
being unheeded they left their barracks
10 a body, carrying their arms and
several rounds of ammunition. They
made their way to Beziers, where they
are encamped in the public square. The
mutineers are being treated as heroes,
and the populace is banqueting them
plying them with wine.
The situation today is regarded as the
most critical since the outbreak of the
trouble, and in response to the demands
of the press Premier Clemenceau today
held secret conference with the cabi-
net, Some radical action is expected be-
fore nightfall. 10 the meantime fresh
troops from the north are being hurried
to the disturbed district, as there is the
best of reason for believing that the
mu;uny at Adjsis is only the beginning
of general movement on the part Of
the French troops, who have all along
been averse TO acting against their
countrymen.
The cCmmsndant at Narbonne wires
that he has adopted extreme measures and
has given orders that the entire populace
must keep 10 doors or be subject 20 ar
rest. No person is permitted in the
street unless he can give satisfactory
reason. The rigid measures have en-.
forced q calm at NarbOnne, but the sit
uation is strained to the breaking point
and the possession Of many arms by the
people is expected to result in an open
clash at any moment.
Dispatches this afternoon from Mar
bonnie indicate as steady increase in the
seriousness Of the situation there and the
probability of still further bloodshed as
the result of the second attack on the
mobs by the soldiers last night, when
another half dozen of the rioters we're
killed and scores injured.
Women are causing the government
troops the most trouble. Numbers OF
these smazons are stirring the mobs to
violence. making stump speeches, carry
ing banners and urging death to all
soldiers. Last night young girl Of
twenty, who had been leading band Of
workmen in a rush against the soldiers,
was shot through the heart when the
troops 10 self-defense fired yolley. To-
day the woman is being mourned as a
martyr.
Her body was carried in state to her
home and hundreds of the natives have
hOcked TO the little cottage TO do homage
to her body. Incendiary speeches have
been made aud police are expecting the
gravest trouble tomorrow when the girls
remains will be buried.
Demonstration in the streets of Mar
bonnie continued today the strikers march
ing through the streets wearing tri-colOred
cockades and waving red flags, shouting
/" down with Clemenceau" and "give us
our mayer or give us death.
The local prison at Narbonne is already
crowded to sufocation with prisoners
and today the government buildings were
converted into temporary quarters for
the scores Of leaders now Gnder arrest.
Every time an arrest is made the troops
are forced TO fight their way through
mobs which accompany the prisoner,
lauding those under arrest as martyrs.
One of the mrs! serious features of
the situation is the lack of loyalty on the
part of the police, none Of whom can be
trusted to do guard duty. Already
number ofimpOrtant prisoners have been
allowed 10 escape while under police
guard, and today the government COM
nanders are weakened by having to use
large part of their forces for guard duty.
The rioters are heavily armed. Con-
ditiOns bordering on famine prevail,
and bread riots are threatened as the re-
suit Of the closing of the shops by the
troops and the difficulty Of obtaining
provision.
At Perpiahsn today the mob attempt
ed to storm the jail and release some
prisoners. The soldiers beat the rioters
back, however, and then succeeded in
putting out fire which had been kind
led in police headquarters.
Paris is in fever of excitement to-
day, the opposition papers declaring that
the present government is responsible for
the bloodshed and disorder.
A secret report to the government
from Midi stating that a regiment has
mutintd at Agde and refused to fire on
the striking wine growers was responsible
for a special urgent meeting of the cabi-
net called at noon today. A secret SEES
sion was held and no announcement
made as to the result of the deliberations.
Paris, June 2l.-Mutiny is sweeping
over the entire army of southern France,
according to reports being received by
the Minister OF War today. Following
the deser.iOn Of the Seventeenth regi-
ment this morning, one half of the
Eighty.frst regiment, sent TO relieve the
mutiueers, joined them.
An unconfrmed report received late
this afternoon says that thirteen cuiras-
siers, troops, which had been counted ss
loyal beyond question, have mutineed
and are marching toward NarbonDe, to
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