New-York tribune., 1908-08-03
ALL PARIS ANXIOUS
4 GREAT STRIKE TO-DAY.
authorities Well Prepared TO Meet
Disorder-W arn1ngs.

Paris. Aug. 2-The twenty-four hour general
strike with which the city is threatened to-
morrow is the sole topic of conversation IN Paris
tonight. While there are signs of panic,
such as preceded the May Day demonstration
Of 1906 anxiety and indignation prevat' in the
public mind The press almost without excep-
ton attacks the intolerable behavior Of the
revolutionary section of the General Labor FED
Grafton and urges on the government its sup
preston the only means of removing What
it says is a growing menace to society
The authorities are confident they have the
situation well in hand. In addition to the large
police force of Paris the regular garrison num-
bers 25 600 men, and this force, it is believed
is ample to assure order All the troops nave
been confined to barracks. SO as to be available
at moments notice.
The labor camp is convinced that 1t Is ABOUT
TO treat the nation TO demonstration OF It's
power such "a seldom before has been seem IL
is said that the General Labor Federation mas
received the adhesion of unions affiliated Win
it, affecting. it is estimated. one hundred thou-
sand workers including the car men, CONNER
ciaI travellers siiversmiths electricians. print
ers. day iaborers, butchers. bakers and hotel en-
ployes Few of the unions refused to issue
strike order for Tomorrow in compliance with
the federstion's instructions.
The headquarters of the Federal ticn Of Labor
to- day were surrounded by imposing forces of
police Inside the building long meetings were
held. but the decisions were kept secret the
only announcement made was that The sf'Ke
vas certain Of success and that substitutes had
been elected to replace all the officers OF the
federation in of their arrest
Early to-day bill stickers began to placard
walls with most violent proclamation. "hich
explained that to-morrow's strike was in pro-
of he
preparing ambush and turning loose the
soldierv. who. by charging and sabering, had
stung the unions into replying, thus giving the
troops an excuse TO massacre. The authorities
do not dare 10 announce the real number of
workers sssa sassinated at Tigneux. This crime
cannot pass unnoticed and the only reply pos
sibe Is twenty-four hour strike
The police arrested the bill stickers. and the
manifesto was afterward distributed in the form
of handbis.
The organizers of the strike announced late
tonight that no demonstrations had been ar
ranged for tomorrow, either in Paris or at
vigneux. and that the strikers would pass the
day in their homes The police, while taking
extraordinary precautions, do not anticipate
disorders
The newspaper quarter, which usually at
midnight is sstir with life, is deserted. Fifteen
newspapers will not appear tomorrow but the
most important organs will be printed although
some of them viii be obliged to come out sew
eral hours earlier than usual.
In view of the fact that police were stationed
around the offices of these newspapers. the
strikers abandoned their hostile intentions and
the night passed without incident. No union
men except the printers struck tonight The
electric light plant is working.
The electric power company has sent circu-
lar to the hotels restaurants and other places
giving warning that its employees are likely to
cease work tonight or tomorrow, and advising
that precautions be taken to protect themselves.
One newspaper, profting by the lesson of the
electric strike in 1907. has placed large auto
mobile outside its door to supply power to its
machinery in case Of emergency.
In the Vigneux district calm continued to-day,
as the funerals of the victims of last week dis
orders were postponed Nevertheless the troops
there remain under arms and patrol the coun-
tryside.
AS vet there are few signs of the labor
troubles spreading to the provinces, Saint
Etienne being the only place where twenty
four hour strike has been called. This ia set
for next Thursday.