FURIOUS RIOTING IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 5

FURIOUS RIOTING IN FRANCE

BUSINESS PREMISES SACKED BY THE iOB FIRE AND PILLAGE. STREETS FLOWING WITH CHAMPAGME.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Eec. April 13, 10.20 p.m.) Pans, April 12. ■ The possibility of the principle of delimitation oil the real champagne area being abandoned lias provoked a grave situation in Ma mo, where the wine-growers, fearing the loss of a. privileged monopoly, have risen as one man. Their fury is directed against the Ep&rnay firms, who are accused of importing grapes from beyond the delimited area for champagne making, or wine from the Aubo district, for the purpose of blending with the products of Jiarno. Both private and business houses Jiavo been burned, and the destruction was greater than it otherwise would have been owing to the straw used to start the- fires being saturated with spirits of wine. The leaders of the outbreak repressed occasional attempts at pillage, and their precencerted plans were followed with the swiftness of a cyclone. The leaders of the various bands of rioters showed an intimate acquaintance with the different districts, and ruthlessly destroyed, in addition to the wine and plant, tho account books and furniture of the firms. The straw wrappings protecting the vines from the frost were also set on fire. Tho Tocsin Sounded. The fury was directed against Ay and Epernay firms, and the tocsin was sounded from all the steeples. The explosion of hand grenades roused the villagers quickly, and they swarmed down the vine-clad slopes, evading tho military cordons. Four thousand rioters entered Ay, where the cavalry were pinned between stono walls and subjected to a volley of stones and vineyard stakes from barricades. Tho military officers were ordered to act with extreme rigour and simultaneously, but with the utmost prudence. The squadrons and reinforcements advancing upon Ay hurriedly retreated to Epernay on a report reaching them that 20,000 wine-growers were marching thither,, but they were unable to intercept tho rioters. Meanwhile several establishments were sacked. Sabres Used. Encounters between tho mob and the military were frequent, tho rioters clinging to the bridles and stirrups compelled the dragoons to resort to their sabres, and numbers were injured in these affrays. The rioters dispersed at night, only after looting tho premises of Daenras and Rondeau, in Epernay, wherein 311 casks of wine were broken, the mob wading in the champagne. The premises of the Kupdermann and Ayala at Ay were set on fire, also the warehouses of Deutz and Geidermann and Gallois. A bomb burst in the streets of Ay, wounding three soldiers, one grievously. The Mayor's residence- was set on fire. Companies of infantry, are stationed in both towns, and have been constantly on tho alert. During the night incendiary, fires illuminated the sky. HUGE FIRES. ACTION BY CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. ' APPEAL TO REASON AND GOOD SENSE. (Rec. April 14, 0.30 a.m.) Paris, April 13. Huge fires have occurred at Pierry and elsewhere in the wine-growing districts, and the chateau Montebelle is blazing. Fires are also raging in the vicinity of Mareuilsuray, and the fire brigades at Avendry and Ay, while making desperate efforts to extinguish the fires, were compelled to retreat, as tho mob threatened to destroy tho engines.

Two squadrons of dragoons were unable to enter the town owing to the barricades. The rioters rushed a military cordon at Ay, and pillaged and burned two cellars. Dragoons charged the rioters at Epernay with drawn sabres. Several casualties have occurred. Women at Damery threw themselves in front of the dragoons' horses and prevented tho soldiers reaching the barricades. Order has been restored, and additional troops have been dispatched to tho scene. TWENTY-FOUR ARRESTS. FIVE MILLION BOTTLES OF .WINE SMASHED. (Rec. April lo t 0.25 a.m.) Paris, April 14. 'A total of five million bottles of wine were smashed at Ay, and five hundred casks at Vinay. Twenty-four rioters have been arrested, including one of tho ringleaders. Stolen bronzes, pictures, and clocks were seized in somo of the prisoners' domiciles. Tho rioters at Venteuil burned their own barricades when tho Cuirassiers appeared. The vinedressers at Venteuil met and approved of the acts of violence committed, and claimed collective responsibility. The whole of Rheims and Epernay are now regarded as military districts.

The troops saved the premises of Convasuro from incendiarism, but they were hampered in their efforts by heaps of broken bottles, poles, and paving stories.

During the progress of the riots, the senators ami deputies representing the Department of Marine, telegraphed to the Winegrowers' Federation of Epernay, urging them to exercise a restraining influence, and to avoid irreparable calamities.

Tho Premier in the Chamber of Deputies demanded and obtained an overwhelming majority in favour of a resolution of confidence pledging the Government to restore order and pursue imperturbably their efforts for a settlement of tho differences arising out of tho delimitation of the champagne area, and finally appealing to the reason and good sense of the population concerned.

REVOLVERS USED. CONSEQUENCES OF INDECISION. (Rec. April 14, 10 a.m.) Paris, April 13. A large area of vines has been burned, and further sabotage has occurred in Vinay and Ventcui!. Tho telegraph wires have been cut, and revolvers were discharged at the dragoon patrols, but without serious results. Twelve thousand troops have reached Epernay. Tho newspapers comment on the ludicrous consequences of the French Government's indecision, and express fears that the Aube agitation will result in a more dangerous situation in Marne and Ardennes, where previously thero was general rejoicings over Aube's discomfiture. The price of champagne is rising. PREMISES WRECKED AND CELLARS PILLAGED. MILITARY CORDON RUSHED. Paris, April 12. The rioting in Damery continued throughout the night. The premises of five chunipajsne liniw worn wrecked *n<l the atreets are flowing with champagne.