The Washington herald., 1907-06-02

Paris. June The maritime strike has
reached Cherbourg, whence it was ex-
pected 70 forward the American mails by
foreign steamers. This may now be i'm
possible, as the fremen Of the steamer
Kaiser Wilhelm II, passing Cherbourg.
were landed. The ship secured enough
dremen. promising them an extra allow
ance of tobacco. The captains and crews
Of the tenders will quit Monday.
The minister Of marine has telegraphed
TO Marseilles authorizing the use Of the
navy men 10 man steamers. Seventy
four have left Toulon for Marseilles.
twenty-eight Of whom will help TO take
out the steamer Isly for Bizerta. All the
companies were asking similar assist
ance, and they viii be supplied. The
General Transatlantic Company has no.
titled its officers that all Of them joining
the strikers will be considered as forth
with dismissed.
Three packet boats succeeded i'm leaving
Marseilles to-day. Three destroyers ar
rived there 20 carry the maritime mails.
two transports for passenger service, and
wv srNa-l- Aat-~ AiA At-l A4t- -NDA r. S-ll-7-4
vessel left Havre. Commandant AInt
was left alone on board Of La Provence.
her officers and crew having lett. Her Ia
saloon and 255 second cabin passengers
received their passage money back from
the company and have gone to Cher
bOurg and Southampton.
Two thousand five hundred emisrants
,F
awaiting the companys arrangement with
the other companies TO transport them.
Seven hundred aFe sleeping in the town
hotels, 800 jim the arrival shed, and others
in hastily impr0yised tents.
War ship to Garry Mail.
Tt is reported and denied that the gov
ernment has ordered the cruiser Cha
teau Renault to carry mail TO America.
The American Line steamer, St. Louis,
took La Provences passengers and
mails.
Preparations made by the government
to-day TO care for mail TO the United
States indicate that the authorities CON
template a long struggle with the strik-
ing seamen. This is taken as a practical
declaration by the government that it
will not yield to the demands Of the sea-
men for an increase of pensions.
The strike Of seamen may be com
pliCated by a strike Of dock hands and
stevedores. This danger is said to
threaten not only the French ports, but
English and German ports as well
Though the dock hands of every English.
German. and American line engaged in
shipping between New York and Euro
pean points are said 10 contemplate such
action, officers of the big transatlantic
companies declare they are not worried
over this prospect, as they say they can
easily fill the places of the dock hands.
Cause of Strike.
Every man I'm France wishing to earn
a living by the sea. either sailor or fisher
man. is entered upon the governments
books and becomes a maritime The state
then has a call upon his services when
the necessity arises. As a compensation.
when they are fifty years old they receive
@ pension. paid by the marine pensioners
fund. This fund Is kept up by the gov
ernment grant and receives s per cent Of
the maTiCmes' wages
The governments have borrowed from
the fund. according TO the belief of the
maritimes. 2nHdm1 francs. and the
strikers now demand repayment of these
loans which, they declare. with interest.
now amount 90 5GnWaGGl francs This
claim, with the demand for increased PEN
si0ns. causes the present strike.
Speeches made at meetings to-day give
grounds for the belief that the strike viii
not be protracted