The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-18
RIOTERS BATTLE IN V|ENNA'S STREETS Many Killed in the Food
 Agitation ABOUT 5O,OOO PRESENT
 - Euge SociaIistic Demonstration Is Dispersed By Troops After Or der to Fire on the Mob Was
 Obeyed

Vienna, September 17.-A critical situa- ton has arisen in. Vienna owing primarily to the high price of the necessaries of life.
 Riots broke out today and many per sons were killed or wounded. Troops fired on the noos, which had erected barri- caGes in the streets. There was fierce, exchange of bullets and the soldiers wer ( pelted with all sorts of missiles. ~ Following huge socialist demonstT .S e this afternoon outside the Rat r 2 held to protest against the high yo ss' # food, it became necessary to- put troops to disperse the rioters. the carly clashes fifty of the rioters were wounded and one hundred arrested.
 Fifty thousand persons were present at the demonstration and frey speeches were made demanding that the govern ment permit the importation of foreign meat and take other measures to remedy the conditions which have resulted from the prohibtory increase in the price of food products. After the meeting large procession marched to the parliament buildings cheering for revolution and Portugal Revolvers were fired in the air, and then the mob began stone throwing. The windows of many public and private buildings, restaurants and tram cars and street lamps were smash ed. Finally squadron of dragons and a detachment of infantry appeared on the scene. They charged the rioters and dispersed them. The mobs reassem- bied, however, In the suburbs. which are occupied by. the working class. where they wrecked more property The troops were retained throughout the day guard
 ng the imperial palace and government brildings and holding all approaches to the inner city.
 Towards evening the rioting in the Ot- takring quarter became more ferocious. The mob demolished all the street lamps in the main thoroughfare. plunging the streets into darkness. They erected bar ricades and hurled missiles of various kinds on the soldiers from the upper win dows of houses The order was at
 length given to the troopers to fire. At the first volley many rioters fell. either killed or wounded. Several of the sol diers and policemen also were injured and one hundred more of those engaged ia the conflict were placed under arrest The agitation is the continuation of months of bitter discomfort over the steady increase in the cost not only of food, but of lodging, clothing and all the necessaries of life, and unless parlia- ment takes action 1t is feared that the developments of the disturbances will be very serious.
 The rioting was of a most deter mined and savage character. Although an official account states that only one person was killed by bayonet thrust several wounded by volley and about 50 seriously wounded, give reason to believe the casualties were much higher around the river. Unofficial reports say six persons were killed and more than 200 severely injured. The appear ance of the troops intensified the wrath of the rioters, who shouted they wanted no military men but wanted bread.
 Stone throwing became incessant and clashes between the mob and police, with caavalry. charges, continued throughout the long hours. Besides smashing windows In all directions the mob wrecked completely a cafe and demolished an automobile standing Tn the street. The rioters tore down the palisading in the Rathhaus Park from WHiCH they IeHONcu the SSdIS 10 DullO barricades. At the height of the dis order. the socialist leader. David, at tempted to calm the crowd but an in- furiated mob set upon him and beat him into unconsciousness. He was re- moved to hospital.
 All available cavalry was brought our to line the streets and protect the public buildings. Rioting in the Ottak- ring quarter was still more serious. Tram cars w&fe overturn ed and shops wrecked.
 The mob. forced its way, into a school house and dragged forth all the furniture into the street and burned It.. Troopers were obliged twice to fire into the crowd and many rioters fell bleeding to the ground.
 It was near midnight before a sem blance of order was restored There were fears of renewal of the trouble tomorrow. The government will pro claim minor state of seige