The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-06-01
10000 FRENCH
TARS STRIKE
National Union May Tie Up
Transatlantic Service.
PARALYZED FRANCE PORT
Naval Reserve Men So Thoroughly
Organized That Walkout
Takes Place.

PARIS. June 1.-Frerch commerce is
threatened with complete paralysis as
n result OF the general strike of sailors
belonging TO tho naval reserve which
went into operation at daylight ut ali
the ports OF France. The naval re-
serves comprise almost the entire mari.
time population devoted To seafaring
life. They number about ll1.OOO men,
OF whom $4,000 belong to the war flect.
Practically the entire personnel Of the
merchant marine M well as the long
shorcmen are Inscribed In the naval 70.
serve The executive committee Of the
National Seamen's union ordered tbs
strike because the members Of the un
ion regard the governments new hill
increasing pensions from SiO.S0 to
S12JO In the case OF scamcn and from
Si5G to 500 In the ease of captains rs
being inadequate.
This admirably organized universal
strike by all branches Of the ship
workers Of France has stagnated ship
ping In all the ports OF the republic.
Unlike an ordinary strike. this move
met Il not attended with bitterness
against the employers or revolutionary
feelings The manifestations are made
with the object OF drawing the aiten-
ton Of the country Co the strikers
cause. Tho naval rcscrvists claim In
n manifesto In which they asked the
support OF all classes that II Is impos-
sible for the widows OF seamen o. sup.
port themselves and raise children on
the pensions granted by the govern
ment.
The men nrc well behaved. and rs an
instance o. the sentiments back OF the
strike there IN the fact THAI harhor
watchers have been provided by the
strikers for all ships In port.
Tie government IL fully alive 10 the
importance Of the movement
The reports thus far received lndl-
cate that the lieu N complete.
AZ Marseilles the sailors aud Others
responded 10 the strike call almost % y
man. The crews 81 eight vessels of the
Messageric- Maritlmes company shout
dered their sea kits and dsembarkcd
amid the cheers 81 the longshorcmen.
and the crews Of the steamers ~ the
transatlantic company followed their
example after landing the fresh fruit
forming part 81 the cnrgocs.
The crews Of the tugs at this port
ara ON strike also ~ ns 10 complete
the movement. Even the fishermen
have drawn up their nets.
At IIavre the strike II complete. the
crews leaving both the ocean aud
coasting vessels.
Ia Provence and In Gascoene ~ u .
French line did not sail for New York
todas. as their crews left the ships
Several thousand cmigfanls arr here
awaiting transportation ~ IN Gas.
cogne for America.
Tho strike committee Is advising men
O. remain calm.
The stewards and cuoks of the trans.
atlantic steamers have Joined the strlk-
ers.
AZ Toulon tho strike 81 the sailors
uNu thuANWNifiNfH ~ Niis hFfl~-hf
boats aud torpedo boat destroyer- are
held IN readiness for mail service In
the Mediterranean
AZ Bordeaux the seamen here met
aud voted io Join the strike.
At DunklTk the seamen have called q
meeting and undoubtedly VIII follow
the example of the men nj other ports.
At Nantes the sailors have decided 10
Join In the strike.
At Rouen the loagshorcmen have all
abandoned their work.
AZ Cctte the scamen Of the port ar
on strike.
AZ Algiers. Algeria. the scamcn are
on strike. and the lockers aud conlcrs
are out IN sympathy.
The transports Ninh.Iong and Nivc
ARE nc Marseillcs. following instruc.
lions sent ont by Minister ~ Marine
Thomson. In order 60 assure the trans
portation " passengers aud merchan.
disc 60 Corsica and African ports
Twelve torpedo boat dcsiroycrs have
been designated a. carry the mails
Up 90 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 10 the
government 10 take rapid sisps 10 re-
move the cause 81 n state ~ affairs by
which they alone suffer although they
are In no way responsible for thu
strike.
saw Napoleon .. NJ ~. uciena.
HaAasafANI IttU. HufaFl