Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-08
PARIS, ALSO, HAS
MAY DAY RIOTS
Mobs Attack and Police with
Soldiers Resist-Much
Blood Is Shed

Paris, May l. (By the Associated Press).
Serious disorders occurred to-day in
Paris on the occasion of the celebration
of May day" French blood flowed in
the streets of Paris and weapons that so
lately had been used against the foe were
turned against friends, brothers and sis
tiers.
1t is providential indeed that numerous
deaths did not follow the attacks and
counter attacks by the mobs on the one
hand and the police and cavalry on the
other.
Particular efforts were made by the
mobs TO invade the Place De La Con-
corde and reach the Chamber of Deputies
and the war ministry where denonstra-
tons had been planned. 1t was In these
attempts that the casualties occurred.
Long live the Poilu.' the crowd
shouted at the Madeleine and in the Place
De La Concorde as they surged toward
the soldiers and with pale. drawn faces
the infantry Withdrew and allowed the
mob to reach the Place De La Concorde
| against a wall of pitless policemen and
determined cavalry.
Then shots rang out. One policemen fell
moaning. slightly wounded but trembling
with fear. The cavalry charged and
along the Rue Royale the mob wavered
back toward the Madeleine church. Here
and there a man or woman staggered,
fell and remained motionless horses
trampling eight or ten outstretched forms
littering the street from the Rue ST.
HoDore to the Madeleine church.
One policeman said to the Associated
Press correspondent as shots were heard
O hundred yards distant: "They are FIR
ing at us, and / have a gun producing
a loaded weapon from his coat pocket.
But l cannot fire upon my brothers"
Others were less scrupulous. however,
and the behavior of some of the police
men seemed like an invitation to rioting.
One big policeman knocked down a mutt
lated war veteran in sight Of the CORE
spondent. who reproved him mildly.
The policeman enraged. Missed, You
shut up. You will never again see
Americas shore unless you mind your
own business"
Finding that the attempts to reach the
Chamber of Deputies and the war min
istry were futile speakers begged the
crowd to turn to the Places De La Re-
publique and De La Bastile. The crowd
obeyed. singing the "Marseillaise."
At the Place De La Republique, the
most populous quarter in Paris. al
| dCSSoScs ~ lHc SqudTeS were
guarded. cavalry charging repeatedly
and the f1remen using their hose II
spraying the crowds, already wet from
the rain, until ingenious youngsterl
turned off the water of the neares
hydrant and leaving the useless hos
, In the hands Of bewildered firemen.
Here a blind soldier wearing the wa
Cross with two palms entered a stalle'
automobile. The crowd was silence'
D and the soldier delivered n speech.
1--WE are the weakest" he said. lie
! US not shed French blood ! cannot sc
You, but I feel that you are homes
. working men and women. Let us dis
z perse.
i "Don't mind the police. The soldier
O wont hurt you. I'm one of them an
= for Is months l have been fghtin
d for you. ! have lost my sight. but
e am not sorry, for 1t has served m
. country and yourselves. But l woul
4 regret eternally II French blood fowe
q to- day"
The crowd followed the blind soldie
a who was borne on the shoulders of tn
a enthusiastic crowd.