New-York tribune., 1919-05-02
Huge Mob Tries to Reach
Chamber of Deputies:
One Killed, Many Hurs
i'll Sharp Street Battle
City Completely Tied Up
Crowd Finally Disperses
When Blind Veteran Ap-
peals Against Violence

PARIS, May 1 (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, and weapons that
so lately had been used against the
foe were turned against friends
brothers and sisters
Some thirty persons were injured
early this evening between the Place
de la Republique and the Place de la
Bastille, when the police with drawn
sabres charged crowd which had torn
down the newspaper kiosks. The troops
in this districtf the 1'th Chasseurs, re-
manned passive during the melee The
injured were members of both the op-
posing parties.
Particular efforts were made by the
mobs earlier in the afternoon to in
wade the Place de la Concorde and
reach the Chamber of Deputies and
the War Ministry, where demonstra-
tions had been planned. 1t was in
these attempts that the casualties oc-
Cured
Way Blocked by Cavalry
Long live the Poilu," the crowd
shouted at the Madeline 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 wall of pitt
less policemen and determined cavalry
Ihen shots rang out; one policeman
fell moaning, slightly wounded but
trembling with fear. The cavalry
charged, and along the Rue Royale the
mob wavered back toward the Made
laine Church. Here and there man
or woman Staggered, fell and remained
motlonless. horses trampling eight or
ten outstretched forms littering the
street from the Rue ST. HonolA to the
Madeleine Church.
One policeman said to The Associated
Press correspondent, as shots were
heard hundred yards distant: "They
are firing at us and have a gun (pro-
duclng loaded weapon from his coat
pocket), but | cannot fire upon my
brothers,"
Police Conduct Criticised
Others were less scrupulous. how
policemen seemed like an invitation to
rioting. One big policeman knocked
down mutilated war veteran in the
sight of the correspondent who re-
proved him mildly. The policeman, en-
ragged, hissed: you shut up. You
will never again see Americas shore
unless you mind YOUR own business"
Finding the attempts to reach the
Chamber of Deputies and the War Min
istry futile, speakers begged the crowd
to turn to the Places de la Republique
and de la Bastille. The crowd obeyed,
singing the "Marseillaise"
At the Place de la Republque, the
most populous quarter in Paris, all
accesses to the squares were strongly
guarded, cavalry charging repeatedly
and the firemen using their hose in
spraying the crowds, already wet from
the rain. until ingenious youngsters
turned off the water of the nearest
hydrant and left the useless hose
in the hands Of the hewldered fire
men.
Blind Soldier Appeals
Here a blind soldier, wearing the war
cross with two palms, entered stalled
automobile. The crowd was silenced
and the soldier delivered speech.
"We are the weakest" he said. LET
us not shed French blood. | cannot
see you, but | feel that you are hon
est working men and women. Let US
dispersc.
Don't mind the police. The soldiers
won't hurt you. I'm one of them and
for fifteen months | have been fighting
for you. l have lost my sight, but
am not sorry. for it has served my
country and yourselves. But l regret
eternally if French blood flowed to-
day.
The crowd followed the blind sol
dier, who was borne on the shoulders
of the enthusiastic crowd The police
estimated that eighty policemen were
wounded and fifty persons arrested
during the day. One young man was
killed.
Nation Largely Stagnant
Throughout the day Paris and the
by strikes in accordance with the plans
of the laboring classes, who had organ
ized the demonstrations as a demand
for better working conditions and
changes in governmental policies.
Oil lamps and candles were used to
provide light in the headquarters of
the American delegation at the Hotel
de Crillon during the early hours of
the day. With that exception few in
conveniences were suffered by the
American delegation as result of the
strike. Detachments of infantry and
additional police were stationed in the
neighborhood. An extra police guard
was placed around President Wilson'S
residence. but hardly any one loitered
in the vicinity. As the crowds swept
past the American headquarters there
were shouts of "Vive lie Wilson." and
.Eive lAmerinuei''
Not wheel was turning on any OF the
transportation systems, the subways
and tramways ceasing to operate. and
taxicabs and omnibuses keeping off the
streets. Restaurants and cafes were
closed, and guests in the hotels had to
go hungry If they had not supplied
themselves with food beforehand as no
meals were being served in any of the
capitals hundreds of eating places.
Even the drug stores closed THAR doora