MAY DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3069, 3 May 1917, Page 5

MAY DAY

STRICT SUPPRESSION OF DEMONSTRATIONS GERMAN PUBLIC COWED BY MACHINE GUNS AUSTRIA CELEBRATES WITH HIGH HOLIDAY ; iiec. May 2, 9.50 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 2. The appeal to the German Socialists' Executive and the trades unions that May Day should not bo observed was generally obeyed. "Work nowhere c.eased, and there were no meetings and processions. Berne, May 2. 'A. wireless message states that troops were confined to barracks throughout Germany in readiness to suppress seditious May Day manifestations. Mach-ine-guns wero posted, and the military authorities placarded warnings that munition' strikers would bo treated like criminals. Troops and machineguns guarded the palace and Government buildings in Berlin. Despite these precautions, the women munition workers in Berlin and Leipzie struck. Telegrams from Vienna states there was a complete cessation ef work, even by tlio munition workers. Sixty mass meetings adopted identical resolutions demanding _ poaco without annexations or indemnities. Tho speakers emphasised tho food crisis and the necessity for peace. A further resolution appealed'to the Russian Socialists to coricludo peace with their Austro-German . brothers. One hundred thousand people marched in procession, and indulged in May Bay festivities. Apparently tbere was perfect accord between the Socialists and tho polico. The latter were instructed not to interfere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • QUIETLY OBSERVED IN ALLIED COUNTRIES (Ree. May 2, 9.50 p.m.) ,Paris,.May 2. May Day was quiet. meeting and procession along the floitlovtirds dispersed quietly. • Petrograd, May 2. The Provisional Government proclaimed May Day a national holiday, There were extraordinary scenes ol gaiety and enthusiasm. Numberless processions of workmen, soldiers, sailors, officials, and students. ■ fraternhia? marched to tho centro of the city, i million people participating in the meetings. Rome, May 2. ' May Day was most tranquilly observed.—Router.. [May Day lias been from pagav times tho occasion for popular fostivals. 75 is by tho calendar of tho seasous tiio first day of summer, wliob( advent is hailed with public rejoicings fe'tos,. and processions. In receni times the day has come to be ohservec fiy Socialists and trades unionists a! an occasion for public demonstrations and in somo oases in past years vcr; serious riots liave developed. Lon simmering industrial troubles ayi usually expected to find expression ii some form or otlier on tho First, o May. For this reason the day thii year has had a special significance ti .'students of events in all the belliger ent countries. Of snecial significant was the manner of-, its, observance v Germany, and the fact that, ande pressure from the authorities, it wa not observed at all, indicates the stat of mind of the German Government-.]