Evening star., 1918-04-02
QUEBEC DRAFT RIOTS
HALTED BY TROOPS
Anti-c conscription Snipers Fire
on Soldiers All Night-Four
Civilians Killed. d
RED CROSS OPENS STATION

QUEBEC, Quebec. April 2.-FfghtinO
between the anti-conscriptionists in Que>
bee and the military forces resulted lass
night in the killing Of at least four civ1
ilians and the wounding Of a number on
civilians and soldiers. The fighting con~
tinued into the early hours today. After
midnight the firing died down. but, men
on housetops sniped the soldiers for
hours.
The guard placed on public buildings
and in the area where ighting took
place was maintained all night. This
forenoon the city was comparatively
quiet, and it was hoped by the military
authorities that, now that 1t has been
shown that no more breaches Of the
law will be tolerated, the disorderiy
factions will abandon their demonstra<
tions. But the authorities declare
there will be no relaxation OF the
stern methods they have inaugurateo
to crush the rioting.
Sixty-two men were under arrest to-
day in connection with the rioting.
charged with freQuenting an illegal
assembly This morning Gen. Lessard
| consulted the civil authorities as TO
their prosecution.
Innocent Bystanders Victims.
appear to be innocent victims who were
not connected with the disturbances In
any way. although the soldiers useo
every care to protect such persons. Tne
snipers never presented good mark
They Aired frequently from street crowds
which collected. despite the warning is
sued through the newspapers that stern
measures were to be adopted, ana tnae
gatherings in the streets were Illegal
Much of the heavy fighting took place
| on st. Waller street. near the Junction OF
| St Joseph street. The ground floor OF tho
| home in this district Of DR.. Joseph COS
eraly riddled with machine gun bullets.
Members of the family fed to the secono
story for safety.
| Riots at Meeting.
| Armand Lavergne, the nationalist
leader, was expected to address,
meeting In Jacques Cartier Square last
| night. but respected the military edics
| banning such assemblies.
large crowd was on hand, how~
| ever and the rioting began soon after
| the soldiers were posted. Bricks were
thrown from housetops and revolver
| shots were fired from alleyways. The
! soldiers, Immediately after hostiiities
| began, arrested seven men. Sesefa!
! men shot at the military and escaped
| into the mob. The cavalry repeatedly
charged the mob with drawn swords.
| but the moment the troopers backs
were turned the crowd returned.
About a hundred yards away. near the
Canadian Pacific station, the soldiers
| were greeted by q mob with a fusflladN
| of revolver shots. bricks ana ice. Sew
! eral soldiers fell in this attack slightly
| injured.
After patiently bearing the bombardS
ment of the crowd the soldiers received
orders to fire. A number OF shots were
| sent over the heads of the mob neAH
| jacques Cartier Square.
AS the casualties began to occur, =
Red Cross dressing station was opened
in the Merger building opposite jacques
Cartier Square, with Maj. Tasse and
Mai Stamand, both of Quebec. in
charge Here the mon had their
wounds treated and were conveyed by
ambulance to the military hospital on
St. Louis street