Evening star., 1909-05-12
GARRISON is HELD READY
Measures Taken to Prevent Disorder
by Strikers.
GUARDING TELEGRAPH WIRES
Similar Steps Taken by the Govern
ment in the Provinces-Dep-
uties Are Criticised.

PARIS, May 12.-Paris today resembled
a city in a state Of siege. During the
night troops took possession of the CEN
trail post telegraph stations. and at day
light squads of infantrymen were picket
ed around every branch Office to protect
postal employees who are willing to work.
The streets are being patrolled by the
mounted republican guards. all exposed
telegraph lines are being carefully
watched, and soldiers have been intro
duced even into the sewers of the city to
prevent the cutting OF wires.
Furthermore 500 military telegraphers
and several hundred automobiles have
been hastily mobilized and massed In the
Gallerie des Machines, ready for instant
service. Gen. Dalstein, the military gov
ernor Of Paris, has $1,000 troops in re-
serve.
Toward noon today eight strikers were
arrested while trying to enter the central
bureau.
Gen. Dalstein has given orders that the
garrison of Paris be held in barracks.
Manifesto by Strikers.
The walls Of Paris were covered this
morning with posters announcing thai
the strike would continue until the em.
ployes' grievances were redressed.
"The right to form trades unions will
be obtained, cost what it may" it was
asserted But beyond the railway mai
clerks, the number who have abandoned
work is comparatively small. The frs,
two deliveries Of mail were effected with
out TIE aid of troops. but the distribu.
ton of the newspaper mail was not at
tempted. At the strikers headquarters
there are evidences of great activity, but
at the same time much secrecy prevails
The leaders content themselves with say
ing that the strike has only begun. but
that they are confident it will spread
rapidly and eventually tie up the entire
machinery of the government.
1t was officially announced early TINS
afternoon that the strikers numbered 7O(
men. chiefly railroad clerks, but at ths
strike headquarters a very much larger
number was claimed. The leaders say
the movement is extending rapidly, thai
there will be complete suspension in three
days and that they have the promise
of several sympathetic trade strikes.
Dispatches from the provinces indicate
that the response to the strike order was
effective at Bordeaux, where over one
half the postmen, telegraphers and tele-
phonists went out. Troons are guard1ne
the stations and mail wagons at Bor.
deaux.
Nancy is the first city where the
telegraphers and telephonists went out.
In the provinces the tactics adopted
by the government mere are DciHS re-
peated The various post offices were
encircled by cordons of troops at day
light today.
Last night the postmen of Lyon and
Bordeaux voted to join their Partisan col
leagues.
Criticism Of the Deputies.
The press generally reproaches the
chamber of deputies for its cowardice
yesterday in postponing vote on thu
postal situation, thus throwing the entire
responsibility on the government. 1t is
understood, however. that Premier Glenn
enceau preferred non on-parliamentary actor
for tactical reasons-frst, to force the
postmen to open battle, and, second, t<
permit the government to put its meas
ures into operation. This places parlia
ment in the position where 1t will be com
PEELED to approve or abandon the govern
ment in the midst of the crisis.
Instead of trying to replace the railway
mail clerks who have gone out, letters are
being sorted before they are placed on
the trains, in accordance with system
previously worked out. The authorities
claim that methods for maintaining COM
munications with the provinces with the
aid of local commercial bodies have every
where been perfected, and are ready for
instant appfcat ton In some sections
regular automobile services covering dis
taIpces of from 100 to 200 miles have been
arranged. The places of the strikers Will
be filled automatically.