The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-14
Many Slovaks and Others Who Have Emigrated From Hungary and Aus tria Will Be Forced to Move If Austria Declares War.
Superintendent of Charities Making Arrangements to House Poor in Vacant Factories, Barns and Oth- CT Buildings.

Thousands of Slovaks and
 other immigrants from Austria
 and Hungary are in imminent
 danger of eviction from their
 homes in East Bridgeport. In the event of a declaration of
 war between Austria-Hungary
 and the United States, the Slo- walks who own much property in East Bridgeport, being sub- jects of Austria Hungary, will
 have to leave East Bridgeport.
 ~The extension of the restricted zone to the half mile limit would take in the gerat Slovak population of the dis trict. Not more than half of these are naturalized Americans.
 Taking the 'bull by the horrs,'' Supt. Angus Thorn, of the charities department, admitted this morning hthat he was making arrangements with owners of large buildings, vacant factories and other structures to pro- vide for any emergency of this na- ture. tM
 | Supt. Thorn also feels that in the event of an explosion or public disas- ter it his duty to see that every de- tail for the accommodation of injured or. homeless E persons should be ar- ranged now. By Monday, he states. i he will be able to- make public the plans which he has arranged with other charities officials.
 | The extension of the present area
 in East Brideeport to. the half milel l limit Is at present contemplated.
 Major Beebe <the military commander | in charge of the district informed a
 Farmer reporter this morning that the | immediate extension of the limit is not
 probable. M
 His command has been strength
 ened by the addition of another conn pany which arrived in this city this
 morning. He stated to the Farmer today that in view of "extenuating circumstances namely the inability
 of some of the barred families being
 able to obtain houses in other parts of city, he has granted an extension
 of the time set for their eviction. The restricted zone is fast assum- ing the character C. a stockade. Gates
 are being erected at all streets leading into the zone. virtually walling in the
 factories and houses. All territory included in the district which is bounded by Boston avenue, Seavfew | avenue, Barnum avenue and Hallett is under martial law and the super vision of Major Beebe. Gates already block entrance to the
 district at Barnum avenue and Hal-
 lett street, Artic and Hallett street and Helen and Arctic streets. All other avenues and thoroughfares leading to the zone arc now being closed by the erection of gates.
 The Slovaks residing in the district
 are praised for their loyalty to the
 United States. They desire to see
 their race emancipated and are pray ing that Austria Hungary will be des feated. Nevertheless they are under the protection of the Austrian gov-
 ernment unless naturalized and a strict observance of the government rule that no allen enemy can live or approach within a half mile of mu- milton plant would bar them from this district, in event of war between Austria and the United States.
 Extending .the boundary of tho present zone a half mile would place under martial law and guard many big factories in the district 1t would take in the American British Co.,, tho Holmes & Edwards Silver shop, Chain plant. Singer plant, Bridgeport Brass Co.,, and the East Side plant of the American Graphophone Go. Part of main line of the New Haven road, on which trains between Boston and New York run would also be safe- guarded,
 supt; Redgate stated today that the passes which he has ordered gnanu- faetured for the use of the residents in the restricted zone will be turned over by him to Major Beebe. .sThey will be issued carefully" stated Red- gate, saby Major Beebe, to whom I will give them. He will have entiro charge of giving them out"
 Ne vehicles of any description arc allowed to pass through that part of Barnuna and Seaview avenues which is in the preseribed zone, Trolley cara passing through the gates in Barnun avenue are not allowed to stop to ai- lew passengers to alight or get aboard,
 The moment the gates are reached a soldier and policeman board the elee- trio and ride through the zane dis- trict Vehicles on reaching the gatea at either end of Barnum avenue must turn off the street and take reund~ about route.
 GERMANS BECOME RESTLESS