The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-01
Railway Union Chiefs Arr
Placed Under Arrest.
Five Thousand Citizens VOlun-
teer as Strikebreakers.
GENERAL WALKOUT FAILURE
Workers Returning to Jobs De-
spite SyndicaIists Appeals.
French Public Hit by Tieup,
Turns Against Strikers.


railway strikers subject to military
duty was begun this morning. Five
railroad strike leaders were arrested
today. They were NJ. Sirolle. NJ. Le-
vogue and NJ. Sigrand of the Paris
union; Secretary General Chaverot of
the Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean
union. and NJ. Bourdeaux. All are
charged with interference with the lib
erty to work and provoking disobedi
ence.
Five thousand persons have volun-
teered for service on the railroads of
France during the strike and 200
chauffeurs have placed themselves at
the disposal of the ministry of public
works in carrying out the feVictualing
system. according 20 the Matin. Hun
dreds of students from the Central
High school have been placed at posts
on different railways, where they are
being given practical instruction. In
dependent syndicalists in Alsace Lor
raine have appealed. to railroad men
to remain at work.
Freight Is Piling Up.
Railroad men modified by the
Paris, Lyons & Medit erranean system
were reporting in increasing numbers
last night and what little change there
is in the strike situation this morning
seems to be for the better. So far
the general strike called on Saturday
morning may be said to be a failure. s
numbers of railroad men, even union
adherents. are refusing to quit, partlc-
ularly in the provinces
inconvenience is being suffered by
the public and freight service is be-
ing dislocated however, by the exist
ing strike conditions. Everywhere eX-
cept in devastated regions OF northern
France freight service has been Nr-
thaiiy abandoned. The outlook now
seems 20 be distinctly more hopeful
and competent circles hold the opin-
ion that If a suitab compromise can
be found the national federation OF
railway men will willingly call off the
The general federation of la
Dor. which has assumed the di-
rection of the French railway strike
TODAY announced that it has re-
fused to allow the strike called in
sympathy with the railway men to
be extended The federation will eX-
tend it's moral support only.
situation Is Stationary.
The strike situation remained sta
tionary today. The city's food sup
plv. government officials said, was
assured Projects in all the larger
cities in the strike area have been
ordered to commander automobiles
and other means of transportation
where necessary to insure proper dis
trlbutlOn OF IOOdS
To prevent a fuel shortage, the gov
ernment announced that all wartime
coal restrictions will be re-imposed
beginning today. The restrictions in
clude carly closing of restaurants
theaters and amusement places
The government today inaugurated
airpIane service for distribution OF
mails and other essentials between
Paris. Lyons, Marseilles, Bordeaux
Strasbourg, Brussels, London, Tour'
and Dijon to be continued thruout the
strike.
Abandon Part of Demands.
Marcel Hutin in an article in the
Echo de Paris. asserted that Premier
Millerand plans organization of per
manent civic board composed of tech
uicians and citizens generally to figh
revolutionary strikes
The strikers today apparently hat
abandoned their more specific de
mands. particularly for promise fo
immediate naturalization Of the raj
lines and were seeking to make thu
issues Of a more general nature :
majority of trains. taking the entir'
country into consideration, were re
ported running regularly.
Early indications of dangerous 1000
shortage had not been borne out ant
altho the public was rushing madly t
lay in stores of food, there was littl
fear on the part of authorities or
severe shortage.