Evening star., 1920-02-28
GENERAL STRIKE
ON FRENCH RAIL
LINES ORDERED
Breakdown in Labor or Com
pIete Paralysis of National
System Expected Today.

PARIS, February 2S (by the Asso-
ciated Press).-Orders for a general
railroad strike have been issued by
the National Federation of Railroad
men. Reports were current last night
that this action had been taken, but
confirmation could not be obtained
until late this afternoon.
Strike conditions throughout France
were considered near a crisis this
morning and belief was expfessel
that a breakdown Of the strike move
ment or paralysis of the nations
railroad system would ensue during
the day. -.
perAtioa Improves.
Operating conditions on the Paris,
Lyon and Mediterranean line and
other roads affected by the walkout
Of employees seemed to be slightly inn
proved last night
franc was shown to have increased
during the twenty-four hours clos
ing at midnight and it was believed
that mobilization orders sent to men
OF the Paris, Lyon and Mediterranean
and state roads woud bring a sufficient
force to carry on normal traffic
Strong military forces are guarding
tracks inside the city limits of Paris,
and a law authorizing the requisi-
tioning of automobiles. motor trucks
and airplanes in case Of interruption
Of railroad traffic was passed last
night by the chamber of deputies.
Strike Spreads Hourly.
owing to the attack by the Paris.
Lyon and Mediterranean Railroad
Company on the exercise of union
rights" the strike order begins, the
railroaders Of that system and of the
Paris region, Influenced by solidarity
or protest which is spreading hourly"
The executive committee of the
federation" the order continues. aft
er exhaustinY all means of concilia-
tion and meeting with an obstinate
and uncompromising spirit on the part
Lyon and Mediterranean railroad,
the minister of public works and the
premier, as regards obtaining a sus-
pension Of puniShments while await
ing arbitration of incidents, has de-
cided to call for the cessation of work
on all systems"
The order advises that greatest
calm be preserved: that all provoca-
tion be avoided: that all measures be
taken to assure safety, and that no
damage be done.
A cabinet meeting has been called
for tonight
The order for a general strike seems
to have been the outcome Of nocturnal
deliberations of the committee in which
the executive committee of the general
labor federation had a hand as well as
delegations from the different Paris
unions
Firm in Resisting Men.
1t is understood that the National Fed
Grafton of Railway Men. which had con-
fined itself to negotiations with Premier
Millerand. decided his arbitration sue-
gestion was impracticable and last night
again approached the Paris Lyon and
Mediterranean Company in the person of
General Manager Margo. who repeated
his refusal to reinstate Campanaud,
whose discharge by the railroad COM
pany for absence of duty to attend a
union meeting caused the walkout of
the railway men.
Competent quarters consider it un-
likely that general strike would have
much effect in the provinces
The government is determined that
the community shall not suffer through
the strike. Additional measures have
been taken and strong reinforcements
of troops have been ordered to Paris to
guard the tracks The situation is fast
coming to a head, and it is the general
belief that today ought to see either the
collapse Of the movement or it's deyelon-
ment into a national catastrophe.