Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-13
GRAVE CONDITIONS IN FRANCE
strike Likely to Lead 10 a Revolutions
airy Struggle for the Overthrow Of
the Goverument-Bloods and Riot
inc IMMINENT

GLOBES F2rlS correspondent Wits lie
paper that the French government is
facing the most momentous situation
in modern industrial history, as a re.
suit OF the railway strike. The move
ment, he declared, has developed into
revolutionary struggle, aiming to-
ward the overthrow OF the established
order OF government. Bloodshed and
rioting, he adds, is imminent.
Paris, Oct. ia pitched battle be-
tween the police and sixteen sociallstic
deputies and six chiefs OF the striking
railroad men who have barricaded
themselves in the Office OF La Huma-
mite, the socialistic organ, is expected
shortly.
Three hundred policemen, heavily
armed, are gathered around the build
ing. They have called upon the
sociaIistic deputies and the union chiefs
to surrender. The men, headed by
Monsieur Jaures, leader OF the socialists
in the chamber OF deputies, have de-
fed the police and declare they will not
submit 10 arrest.
Premier BRAND, who has assumed
active command Of the situation, i'm
mediately dispatched word to the police
not to hesitate. His orders are that
the defying socialists and union men
shall be arrested, force to be used, il ne
cessary. 1t is not known whether the
barricaded men are armed.
The tieup OF railway traffic through
out France is becoming complete, and
it is predicted that not train will be
running tonight. The military engi-
neers are proving incapable OF manning
the trains. Even those who know how
to run engines are baked, because the
strikers have cut all the telegraph wires
and so completely disarranged signals
that it is dangerous TO life and limb to
attempt to run train.
A practical state OF siege exists
throughout Paris and the rest Of France
and the military is to be seen every
where. Although no intimation has
been given out, it would not be surpris-
ing if the ministry, under the DONNA
ton OF Premier BRAND, should order
martial law proclaimed and suspend
the constitution.
Strike leaders are being arrested by
the wholesale, most OF the arrests being
made by the soldiers, who have orders
from BRAND himself to use all the force
that is necessary TO serve the hundreds
of warrants that have been issued. The
soldiers have been notified that the
ministry will uphold their actions.
Among the strike leaders already
placed under arrest in President Le-
Nome, OF the national strike COM
mittee OF the trainmen's syndicate, or
union. Other officials Of the syndicate
are being arrested wherever found.
A serious phase Of the strike was
precipitated when an order was issued
by the government today allowing
all non-striking railway employees to
arm themselves for the protection OF
their lives and their trains. As re-
suit, there was an immediate move
ment on the part OF the strikers to
secure weapons, and today there are
thousands OF armed mon on the streets.
The slightest untoward act is expected
to precipitate serious rioting.
1t is admitted on all hands that the
situation is critical and that unless the
army proves wholly loyal, the govern
ment will meet with great difficulty in
carrying out the respective measures
it has adopted for putting down the
strike.
Very few OF the strikers have obeyed
the order to join the colors as reservists
and thus man their own trains under
orders from the government.
The railroad strike now includes
the five great trunk lines, the Western,
Northern, Eastern, Orleans and Paris,
Lyons and Mediterranean, and though
not more than 80 per cent. OF the en-
ployes Islong to the syndicate, nearly
every man and woman employed has
gone out. All the depots in Paris and
the depots along the lines Of these
railroads are in the hands OF troops,
while small bodies OF soldiers are pa
trolling all the railroads, but they have
proven powerless to prevent the strik-
-ers from wrecking engines, demolish'
ing rolling stock and wrecking the
signal systems.
The food situation in Paris is becom-
ing acute. The government is press
ing into service every river boat posi-
BILE and intends TO bring food up to
Paris on the Seine. The supply OF flour
in Paris will last but seven days. Fresh
meats and vegetables are selling at
prohibitiye prices.
American tourists are being held up
all along the lines of the railroads, and
many Of them are paying exorbitant
prices for automobiles to carry them
to seaport towns from which they may
embark for America. A number of
these automobiles have been attacked
by the strikers.
The masons and allied traders have
ordered a general strike, and the labor
leaders declare other trades will follow
suit TO help the railroad men win OUT
The employees OF the Paris subways
have been ordered to strike, but the
time for the strike has not been set
Paris, Oct. 13.ZPremier BRAND is
sued a statement this afternoon in
which be declared that the backbone OF
the railway strike has been broken by
the military organization Of the en-
ployees. He declared he believed the
strikers would obey the call to the
colors as reservists and would man
their own trains. The trains thai are