The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-28
Mk'. e =: TROUBLE
|NCANhSs.' WER
CONScR|PT ACT.
Many Outbreaks PresageSer-
ious Opposition
MILITIA TOLD TO ACT
Antl-conscription Demonstration Con-
tlnue to Grow But Are More
Peaceabe in Action.

Montreal, May 27.-Ball cartridges,
it is said in authoritative quarters,
have been served out to the militia
regiments stationed in Montreal, and
on the first outbreak of serious
trouble over the conscription issue
stern measures will be used.
Colonel Blondin and several officers
of this district, who left hurriedly for
the capital on Friday night, spent the
week end in conference. A procla.
nation of martial law has been urged
by the highest authorities, and today
it is reported that the Government
plans whatever steps may be neces-
sary to preserve order and protect
wounded soldiers from attacks such
as have occurred since the conscrip-
tion proposal was made.
Anti-conscription demonstrations
continue to grow, but, with the excep-
tion of isolated cases of rowdyism the
appeals of Sir WilfIid Laurier and
Mayor Martin have had effect, and
weekend protest meetings have been
peaoeable in action, if not in words.
The Liberal leaders telegram to
Louis Letourneal, Member of Parlia-
ment for Quebec East where a large
protest meeting was held last night,
appealing to the participants to re-
member that "the liberty of opinion
which you claim must be allowed to
all of those who think differently"
had calming effect, and order was
preserved.
Montreal is the home of the more
rabid obiectors. Despite the requests
of Mayor Hall and Lieut. Col. kepro-
hon that the soldiers should restrain
themselves--which prevented 800 re-
turned men from sallying forth to
avenge their two comrades who were
mauled on the previous night-there
is growing resentment among the sol
diers, and a clash seems certain soon
er or later Following a meeting at
st. Henri, a mob of young men late
on Friday night charged on two sol
diers who were standing in a restau-
rant doorway, hooing at them and
kissing them. The soldiers were on
the point of tackling the crowd unaid
ed when force of police arrived, hur-
ried the soldiers inside the cafe, and
scattered the crowd. Stones then be
gan to fly and windows were shatter-
ed From there the mob were to the
Office of La Patrie, where more win
dows were smashed. The police, 100
strong, again scattered the demon
strators, two OF whom were badly
hurt Throughout yesterday Down
with conscription!' was the cry at
many street-corner meetings. The
orators were chiefly youths.
At night the usual yelling mob
marched through the streets singing,
cheering and shouting "A bas la con-
scription," Numerous automobiles
filled with soldiers armed with clubs
were also abroad. Strong forces of
police were held in readiness at head
and the night was free from disturb
ance.
So far as the situation at the capital
is concerned, Laurier is against con
scription unless some concession is
made. He will demand a referendum
or a coalition Government as the
price, after opposing the measure on
constitutional grounds. Mayor Martin
who has spoken at several anti-con-
scription meetings, has said fatty that
Sir Wilfrid had assured him that he
was against conscription, and the
Mayor has not been contradicted, as
was the Nationalist agitator, Marsil |
who said his chief had sent him a let |
ter with that assurance.
Meanwhile there is ample evidence
that the Government is determined to |
go through with the measure. There |
is equally strong evidence that French |
Quebec is determined to kick over the |
traces. That the Government has the
power to enforce its law is not doubt
ed, but those who know Quebec fear
unfortunate incidents before that |
power prevails.