Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-03
Anarchistic Gang at Lon
don Resists to the
End.
Is ROUTED BY FIRE
Defying Rain of Bullets Every
Member Dies When Roof
CoIIapSeS.

London. Jan. 3.-One Of the most re-
markable criminal outbreaks that ever
occurred in London took place in broad
daylight today not far from the heart
of the city. A band Of suspected an
archists directed a deadly fusillade
from a building temporarily converted
into fortress. while hundreds Of arm
ed policemen, reinforced by troops and
guardsmen, besieged the criminals.
finally setting fire 20 their fortress and
demolishing 1t. six Of the desperadOes
being burned TO death in the ruins of
their improvised citadel.
WAS VERITABLE BATTLE.
The affair took on the dimensions of
veritable battle, 1t began early to-
day and continued until after noon,
when the civil authorities at last be
came masters of the situation. Vast
crowds gathered in the narrow streets
leading to the scene of activities, while
word of the desperate character of the
fighting ran throughout London, caus-
ing widespread excitement and alarm.
CALLED OUT MACHINE Guns
At one time the hcsieging force call
ed for machine guns. but these were
not brought into actual use. Home
Secretary Winston Churchill visited
the scene when the fighting was at its
height and assisted in the work of sub
DUNG the outbreak
CASUALTIES UNKNOWN
Owing TO the intense excitement the
police report of the extent of the cas-
Ualtles is still lacking in exactness.
they show six crimihaIs ETTred IN The
final collapse OF their fortress, but the
extent Of the fatalities and injuries.
great and small. during the hours of
continuous fusillades is being gathered
slowly. as the injured were carried
away to widely separated hospitals
TWO BODIES IDENTIFIED
Only two bodies were recovered from
the house ruins They have been iden-
titled as the remains of Peter the
Painter and Dutch Fritz" They were
wanted for the assassination of three
policemen two weeks ago. 1t is believ-
cd four companions perished with
them, but the remains have not vet
been found
GANG OPENS FIRE.
London, Jan. 3.-After desper-
ate battle today with several hun
dred police and soldiers, and refus-
ing the abandon their refuge, which
had been fired. number OF robbers
and their friends went down with
the roof into a fiery furnace when
the roof collapsed. II was reported
after the fire that six bodies were
found in the ruins. Recently three
policemen were killed by anarChistic
burglars.
LOCATE THE REFUGE.
Almost the entire police force of
London has since been watching for
the assassins, and last night they
were located in a house on Sidney
street. While reconnoitering a shot
from the house struck Sergeant Lee
son in the lungs. Reinforcements
were called for and 200 men were
at once rushed TO the scene and a
tight Gordon drawn about the place.
The battle then continued, the be-
sieged using rapid firing rifles and
revolvers and pouring bullets into
the ranks of the officers from the
windows
MORE REINFORCENENTS.
The pQlice's response seemed 10
have no effect on the robbers. and
scores more OF officers were hurried
in. and with them a detachment OF
the Scot guard from the tower. After
the soldiers commenced firing there
was a brief lull on the robbers side,
but they resumed the fight and when
ever the officers attempted 10 ap-
proach they were met by a shower Of
bullets from the house
CARE FOR WOUNDED.
Meantime nurses were brought in
TO care for the wounded officers and
another company OF soldiers took a
position on the firing line Machine
guns were also placed in position 10
lombard the house II found neCes-
sary. Thousands Of people f1oCked
10 the neighborhood and the situa-
tion became so serious onlookers
were driven back for = radius Of half
= mile about the scene
RESORT TO FIRE.
Piles OF straw were lighted near
the building and the flames commun-
icated 10 the house \ fire brigade
was then summoned and divided
their energies between saving sur
rounding property and an attempt to
food the outlaws. In the face Of
terrific odds the trapped men contin-
ned desperate resistance and every
fen minutes appeared al the Slu-.