The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-20
Foundation of the Republic Is
Threatened by Strike
Of the Postmen, Telegraph and
Telephone Operators.
FOOD GROWS SCARCE
Owing to the Difficulty in Re-
mitting to Shippers.
Disturbance Has Extended to
Many of the Large Cities.

Paris, March 20.-It is too early vet
TO gauge the effect of the endorsement
OF the attitude of the government in the
present strike voiced in the chamber OF
oeputles yesterday, but upon the sur
race the outlook is bIacker than ever.
The leading agitators today talked as
II the endorsement of the government's
position might fan the flames of the
present movement into veritable revo-
lutionary explosion
The organization for the protection OF
the rights of trades unionisrn has call
ed meetings of every branch of indus
tly ailu commerce, when it will be pro-
poseo 10 join them unless the govern
ment finds quick solution. The or
ganlzat1on voted 81, 900 to aid the cause.
Anotner serious indication is a small
contrlnutlon from the Paris police.
Wnat IS going on behind the scenes
can pc gauged from the open intima-
tlons IN government organs that M.
S1myan, under secretary of posts and
telegraphs, will be effaced, either by
LransIer 51 or by the organization of the
department, by which his position will
be converted to that of controller under
the postmaster general as in the Eng
liSh system.
The lack of food in the capital. an
outcome or the impossibility of forward
ing payments, is making itself felt to-
oay, and provision dealers declare that
II there is no Improvement the city in
teW days, probably will be confronted
with famine conditions. The losses to
business in Paris alone are variously
estimated at from $500, 900 to 81 200. 600
Only Few wires today connect Paris
with Europe and the outside world
Given As Hours
A semf-official note issued today
says that considerable number of
women have returned to work. but in
spite of this situation has not sen
s1bly improved. The government has
formally notified the strikers that AS
hours OF grace will be allowed them to
return to work after which their dis
missal will be irrevocabIe
No attempt yet has been made to
restore the money order and the reg
fstered mail service in Paris. The
paralysis of business is becoming more
celVable expedient is being used to
maintain communication Special
couriers are being sent in automobiles
to the frontier and bicyclists are being
employed for the delivery of mes
sages throughout the city The govern
ment has organized a special service
to insure communication between
London and King Edward, who is at
One thousand colonial infantry men
have been put to work sorting and
delivering the accumulated mails.
No newspapers have been delivered
since last Tuesday.
Human1t, the organ of M. Jaures, the
socialist leader, says today:
THE proletariat can now estimate the |
tremendous power the possession of pos |
al telegraph and telephone communica- |
ion VIII give them when later, in the |
decisive hour, they enter upon the great |
battle for emancipation"
End of the Republic.
The anti-Republican organs profess to |
believe that the beginning of the end |
If the republic is in sight
The government may win the semb-
ance of victory they say. but war with
he proletariat has begun and it is /
pound to end in the bankruptcy of the
present regime.
The strike is now general at Lyons,
Marseilles, Stettin, Bourges, Grenoble
Lille, Nancy, Rouen, Ravre, Limoges
md the other principal cities of
france.
The police and municipal guards on
luty for the protection of the general
'ostoff1ce have been replaced by soldiers.
President Fallieres and Minister of
Public Works Barthou, had a long con-
erence this morning.