Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-01-03
BATTLE WITH ANARCHISTS.
Outlaws Burned to Death-Poiicc Ser
Seant Fatally ShOt-Policcmen led by
Home secrctary Churchill.

Seant Fatally snOt-folicemei lea by
Home secrctarv Churchill.
London, Jan. 3.-The greatest fight
in the history OF London between the
police and 4 gang OF anarchists took
place today in Sidney street, Stenney,
in the Middle East slum section OF the
metropolis. On one side were the
anarchists, variously estimated at from
two to six, who were wanted by
the police for their participation in the
Houndsditch fight with the police on
December 16. when three policemen
were shot to death.
Attacking the anarchists in their
Sidney street retreat we're first 800
policemen, than 700, than 1000 and
finally 800, led by Homo Secretary
Winston Churchill, and reinforced by
three companies OF Scots Guards from
the Tower garrison, machine guns, one
battery Of field artillery, including
three 1875 FOUNDERS, and company OF
mounted infantry.
The apparently unequal struggle be-
gan early in the day and was only end
cd when six hours later the anarchists
were burned to death III their retreat.
| The house having caught fire from the
operation OF the machine guns.
1t is reported that there were six
bodies found III the ruins Of the fort
resS' but rs the utmost excitement
still prevails, TO the complete disorgan-
ization OF the police, who are i'll control
OF the entire district where the lighting
occurred, the report has not yet been
verified.
In addition TO the dead anarchists,
Sergeant Lesson was fatally shot, Scrgt.
Chick Of the Scots Guards dangerously
wounded; Police Sergeant Gresham
and Policeman Dyer slightly injured
and two private citizens shot. One Of
| these was brewery workman near the
scene OF the fighting and the other was
named David Williams. who was struck
by a stray bullet while i'll his home
several blocks from the centre OF the
trouble.
There were undoubtedly other per-
sons injured, las thousands Of shots were
fired.
One report said that the anarchists
who had engaged in the fearful fight
against such overwhelming odds
escaped ut the last Minute from III
upper window Of their ilamc-swept
trap to IN adjoining house where they
cntrcnchcd themselves.
.,ou,I +,
the collapse Of the stronghold. this re.
port was diSprovcd by the discovery
OF six ciIarrcd bodies in the bcsicgcd
house.
Just as the police entered the house
and reported the finding OF the bodies,
The mounted infantry and the field guns
arrived on the scene. This led to the
report that the anarchists had escaped
and that the new retreat was To be bonn
bardci by cannon fire. 1t developed,
however, that the infantry and field
artillery came in response to an earlier
call for rcinforcgmcuts.
How the anarchists, who numbered
| but two at the outset, known rs Fritz
and Peter the Fainter" but were
joined by pals from IN adjoining build
Ing, called the Anarchists Club, "
were enabled to hold back such m
army OF attackers rs long as they did, is
almost inc0nccWab!c. They were armed
with automatic pistols with which they
constantly sent the approaches 10 their
retreat. But making all allowances,
/! It seemed to the thousands who watched
the struggle that tic dcspcradocs had
charmed lives.
The condition OF the bottles OF the
dead anarchists indicates that they com
mittcd suicide rather than permit the
flames to end their lives. One OF their
number attempted to make q dash for
liberty just as the police swarmcd into
the building, lat he fell pierced by a
score OF bullets.
There were only 500 policemen in
VOWED when the fighting began and
these were unarmcd, rs is usual in
London. They surrounded an entire
block in the middle east London SIum
district and hogan house to house
| search loI ttti biiS 'iiiiiIl, 'tiih
Fritz" who were believed to he hid
| ing in the block. Suddenly the two
men for whom The police were looking,
opened fire with automatic piSto S
from the attic window Of i house over
looking Sidney street. A rain Of bull
lets fell among the police, who temper
arily retired.
The police sought refuge in door
ways. behind wagons and i'll any other
way possible as they approached The
fortress, but their utmost care could
not save them from the rattlng
fire Of the pair OF dcspcradoes.
There was such \ fearful fire 0! rcvol.
ycrs and nllshctry that it is impos-
siblc 10 state at this time how many
were shot. The end OF the battle drew
near shortly after the arrival Of the
third company OF the Scots Guards and
their machine guns. BY this time, too,
there were nearly 1000 policemen
engaged in the attack \ frontal and
rear rush upon the bcSicgcd house was
begun and the machine guns opened
such n terrific fire that the house was
soon in flames.
The defenders, however, did not
let up in their fight They were seen
for the fraction of second at one OF
the windows, as though gasping for
air. Even this leeting glimpse showed
them streaming with blood. But still
they pumped their automatic pistols.
Finally the flames became so hot that
A.. o,-.x.l;.t, ,,ora Iri,-np IA fbn roof