The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
HUNGRY
AUSTRIANS
RUN WILD
Rioters Raid Hotels,
Restaurants, Shops
and Homes Of the
Rich

Vienna. GCc. (Dy tt4e ]h@ooN1'''
e3 Press)-In the widespread
riotins which took place in Wen
ma today many Americans staying
at the hotels were attacked, ana
some of them were subjected 10
rough treatment. Mrs. Hand, the
wife of a colonel of the United
States army, and her daughter
were robbed of furs and clothing,
but on the same floor, Col. and
Mrs. Miller, U. S. A. displayed the
American flag and spoke English,
and the rioters withdrew from
their room.
Of the hotels. the New Bristol
and the old Bristol suffered most.
They were partially wrecked and
were looted to the second floor
Inquiries at the hotels DISCLOSED
that many guests were robbed OF
clothing and Jewels, in some in
stances the jewels being torn from
the ears.
Seemingly, as the most rowdy
elements swept through the inner
city. they were joined by the worst
criminal classes, committing all
kinds of excesses.
At Z o'clock tonight the streets
were quiet and further disturb
ances of a serious nature are not
looked FOR.
The Associated Press correspond
ent asked one Of squad Of police
mon, who idly watched the wreck
ing Of the Hotel Imperial, if there
were not sufficient police to handle
the situation. He replied: I'VE are
tired Of shooting and being shot.
These people are hungry and des-
perate; SO are many Of u.s..
The disturbances today were the
most serious since the downfall Of
the monarchy. They spre a d
throughout the inner city and
practically every window ws;s
smashed. All the famous restau-
rants and hotels freauented by for
eign visitors were entered, looted
and partly wrecked, and the luxury
shops robbed, while the police
watched without interfering.
The disturbances are described
as purely economic, due to the
scarcity of food and employment.
Many werkmen marched to par
lament and were joined by thou
sands. a committee waited on the
chancellor and demanded the abo-
lition of the stock exchange, con-
flscation Of foreign securities and a
more effective control.
The deputatton received an eva
sive answer in its opinion and as
the demonstrators before parlia-
ment began to disband. gangs
composed of many hundreds broke
away and began the work Of de-
struction. The rioters divided into
several columns, one attacking the
cafes. hotels and stores. and
storming the empty stock eX-
change while others proceeded to
the shopping district, where they
attacked every well dressed person
and stormed and plundered.
Vienna is now woeful sight. All
the cafes are closed and the streets
are in darkness. The occupants
OF hotels hearing that the work
men threatened to renew the at
tack fed early in the afternoon and
remained huddled in doorways in
the residential quarters, begging for
shelter. A large crowd collected
discussing means to protect them
selves and their possessions.
If the rioting is resumed, a high
police official informed the CORE
spondent, he feared that in the alb
sence Of military forces, the police
would be inadequate to prevent pill
age and murder and the storming Of
the dwellings OF prominent bank
ers and business men and the
Jewish elem ent According to this
authority Many persons were injur-
ed, altho::s', Ne ,,sac: number has
not Dee :. s't7-.rd.