The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-13
MONSTER MEETING
OF THE SOCIALISTS
Seventy Thousand Men
and Women Take Part
in Demonstration.
Won BUELOW
WAS JEERED.
Police Stop Crowd from Reach
ing Emperor's Palace and III
jure Many with Their Swords.
Socialist Movement Is Ac-
tive All Through
Prussia.

BERLIN, January 12.--Tiie determi-
nation Of the Socialists to secure di-
rect universal suffrage. combined with
Won Buelow's curt declaration refus-
ing their demand, gave rise to-day to
an unusual scene and q monster popu-
lar demonstration, accompanied by
disorders. In tho streets of the Prus-
sian capital, in which 10000 organized
Socialists participated. while 10000
sympathizcrs from time to tine actively
Joined in the manifestations.
One of the most remarkable fea-
lures OF to-day's uprising was the num-
Der OF WOMEN who engaged In the dem.
onstrations. and they appeared even
more earnest In their activities than
the men. The authorities took the
sternsst measures to prevent disorder
and the strictest precautions to pro-
tect the Assembly and other public
buildings and Prince Won Buelow's res
idence against the outburst Of fury.
Groups in the streets were dispersed
In the most vigorous manner. and col
lisions between professions of manifest
ants and the police resulted In the In
Jury OF considerable number of the
demonstrators. but so far as is known
no fatality occurred In this city. The
police refrained from making arrests
except In cases Of extreme violence.
Movement Extensive.
Tho movement extends throughout
Prussia, where the Socialists are ex-
ceptionally numerous. Reports receiv-
ed from other cities, however, do not
indicate that the demonstrations there
were accompanied by violence. Not
withstanding the police commissioners
warning that repressive measures
would be applied, many thousand
Socialists gathered In the morning at
the 500 local headquarters OF the
various districts OF the capital. and
thence proceeded in groups. singing
songs. towards the eight
halls In the city where the mass meet.
ings had been announced. The Social
lists showed great determination In
their attempts to hold professions
although the police made energetic
endeavors to prevent this. Long before
the hour of noon, the time fixed to
begin. the meetings. all the halls were
completely packed and the police drew
up in force around the doors to hold
the crowds In check. Those who could
not get within the buildings were
driven into the adjoining streets BY
squads Of police. Inside the halls the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed, the ex-
citement increasing as the speakers
denounced the action OF Chancellor
Won Buelow whose name was received
with loud Kissing.
The SPEAKERS did not advise violence,
hut declared that If violence occurred
the responsibility would fall upon the
police and the privileged classes, VINO
refused the people their rights.
For Universal Suffrage.
Resolutions favoring universal suf-
frage and a secret ballot were adopted
by acclamation. after which the audi
ences streanled into the streets. The
police Immediately attempted to dis
perse the throngs, which showed an
evident intention to march IN process
sion towards the Palace Square. IN
most cases the professions were soon
broken UP, the police displaying the
utmost energy. Two formidable coll
umns, however. marched as far as Al
exander Platz, within short distance
Of the Emperor's Palace. where the
police charged them. using the flats
Of their sabres freely and inaictins
many INJURIES. Eventually they sue
,ceeded with the greatest difficulty IN
scattering the demonstrators, who re-
tired. hooting and cheering Ironically
towards Unter den Linden.
Thousands Of spectators ALREADY mao
gathered there from curiosity, and the
police followed the broken ranks OF