SOCIALISM IN FRANCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 935, 5 May 1883, Page 2

SOCIALISM IN FRANCE.

The Daily News correspondent gives the following account of a Socialistic gathering on the Esplanade des Invalides, on March 9: —Flying in the face of the excellent advice to stay at home, a good many working men, whose numbers, as is always the case, were swollen by the curious and scamps who always think something may be got in a row, flocked to the Esplanade des Invalides to hold the meeting,

which, being in the Open air, was illegal, and which the Government had prohibited. The placards, which the police had torn down, were stuck up in great numbers during the night. They were in bad French and b.id spelling, a fact which the partisans of disorder allege as a proof that they really emanated from working men, and called on the Government to provide work or bread for those who had neither, and exhorted all workmen to attend the open-air meeting to urge their rights to the means of existence. Some journals spoke of the expediency of the manifestants bringing revolvers in their pockets. Others advised that they should go unarmed, and others that the question of carrying arms should be left to each individual. The manifestants got to the rendezvous slowlj, and the streets through which they passed scarcely presented any extraordinary appearance. However, towards two o’clock, as many as 5,000 were assembled, and the police were not able to prevent them from occupying the garden of the Invalides. After a time they were dislodged, but the numbers, swollen to perhaps 10,000, took possession again while the police were being re-inforced. The irrepressible Louise Michel made the following speech from the box seat of a cab ; “ My friends, it the police prevent you from freely meeting, don’t let them. Don’t go like sheep to the slaughter. Never mind. Resist.” A clever turning movement of the police drove the bulk of the rioters towards the Avenue Latour Meubourg. Blows were exchanged, and a great many persons were arrested. The lelegraphe says there were not more at any time than 500 real workmen, and a reporter of the Figaro, the paper which had given importance to the meeting, as it he feared that nothing might come of it, made speeches to different groups. The Esplanade was quite cleared by three o’clock. Count de Keratry, once Prefect of Police, was arrested, and vehemently protested. He was soon released by M. Blavier, one of the principal police-officers in command. The expelled crowd raised a cry of “ To the Elys£e !” and marched to the Palace singing the “Marseillaise.” They were stopped at the bridge, but the leading ranks got as far as the Faubourg St Honors by the Rue du Cirque. There a barricade of omnibuses, arranged by the police, stopped their further progress. The Avenue Marigny was hastily evacuated, and a Gaulois reporter, alleged to have shouted “ Friends, close our ranks,” was arrested. A squadron of the Republican Guard, held in reserve, came to support the police, and made a charge, which scattered the people towards the Champs Elysdes. At four all seemed over. M. Camescasse, the Prefect of Police, and several inspectors were in consultation all day, ready to meet emergencies. So far as is now known the conduct of the authorities was prudent and correct. At five a few rioters on the Pont de la Concorde and Boulevard St Germain were charged by the Municipal Cavalry and easily dispersed. An attempt to form a barricade with paving-stones was nipped in the bud. It is reported that fifty people have pillaged a baker’s shop in the Faubourg St Germain. M. Felix Pyat was among the rioters, and Madame Paule Mincke brandished a revolver.

Similar meetings took place in Paris a few days afterwards, all of whiph had to be dispersed by the police. The disturbances and political disquietude of the past few days have had serious consequences in the provinces, where business has been greatly affected. The confidence which is so important an element in commercial prosperity is, moreover, by no means likely to be restored by the Revisionist campaign. On the contrary, the Republican divisions on this point are regarded as a source of weakness and instability. The demonstrations of the last few days have proved how fatal it would be if giving way to the claims of the Radicals, the surveillance of the police were to be entrusted to the municipal authorities of Paris. , M. Yves Quyot, though a Radical himself, has received an unpleasant illustration of what the peaceful citizens of Paris would be exposed to if the old Prefecture of Police had not a legion of men to oppose to the Anarchists who, a few days ago, stole bread to throw into the sewers of Paris. The Government have resolved to take vigorous repressive measures against all persons fomenting disturbances or inciting to offences against, the rights of property. The Paris states that an explosive machine was found a few days ago in the square of the Hotel de Ville, and that similar machines have since been found in different localities.

The anniversary of the Commune was celebrated on Sunday, March 18, in Paris by dinners and meetings, but there was no attempt whatever at outdoor demonstrations. The prospect of an unusually fine Sunday made all the throughfares crowded, but the Anarchists were nowhere visible. On the Champs de Mars, which a few days ago was announced as the scene of the chief demonstration, there were at no timemoie than 500 people, and they moved on when requested by the police. About 20,000 or 30,000 troops were drawn up in barracks, ready for action at a moment’s notice in case of need, but they were not seen. An announcement had been made that the ambulances had been placed on a war footing, and that military surgeons had been told off for all the Paris hospitals, and the Daily News correspondent thinks that probably this had the effect of making many of the curious stay at home. Another correspondent says that the largest gatherings of people he saw were the little crowds which were looking into the barrack yards where the soldiers were held ready to march. In the eastern quarters the aspect of streets and public places was not to be distinguished from that presented on any fine Sunday.