Riots in Paris.

Manawatu Herald, 24 August 1899, Page 2

Riots in Paris.

The leniency shown by the authorities towards M. Gaerio, of League of Patriot *, who habarricaded himself, with aim • 'yinpathUerg, in hh residence, h*« beo the cau -e of a serioua Aoarchisi >utbreak in Paris.

Daring Sunday aftprnion a aumber of Anarchists a^d Sjcialistp gathered in the Place de la Re. publiqne. The polica were on the ilorr, and watched the development >f the gathering, which gradually assumed a serious character.

M. Sebastien Faure harangu-i he crowd under <he statue of th R public in the Square. Be declared ohat the Anarchists ought to b^ inaater^, and added thit th Nation vlist party imnopolised th itreetj.

The po'ice ihen ordere.l the ;rowd to disperse, bat the order was aot voluntarily obeyed. The Guard.:leared the Squire, driviag befor, hen) 8 >me three thousand personwho rushed and scuffled in various directions. Many of the people went towards the Place de Nation. A. fierce fight ensued, and revolver <hots were exchanged between the Guards, and the police and tin mob. The Commissary of Police had two gendarmes were injured in this.way. M. arrest wa*, however, fleeted by the authorities, though •he fatter was unable to prevent the rioters from committing great excesses.

Armed with hatchets and knives, 'he rabble smashed the windows of St. Joseph's Church. The picture* in the walls, the altars, the font, one statues, and the great crucifix were destroyed. Whilst engaged in their work the invaders sang and lanced the Cirmagnole, which with its choru?, "Dmsons la Carmagnole: vive le son dv canon 1 " was so popular during the Beign of Terror. Chairs from buildings were piled in ihe streets, and farmed food for ban fires. Into the flimes were thrown he broken statues of the Saviour md the Virgin.

The Republican Guard was summoned and on arrival was fiercely attacked by the mob, who, arm-d with knives, stood in line of defence. In the end she Anarchists were cornpalled to take refuge in a neigh bouring house and in the belfry of he church, whence they hurled missiles at tha police and military. The parapet of the church: was set fire to by some of the miscreants, tnd pictures of great value were lost.

The excitement spread eastward luring the evening, Two kioskwere burned by the Anarchists. Dt-iven on by the police, the riotouerowd3 gave conflicting cheers, now for the Army, and again for the Republic.

Forty-3ix parsons were arrested Of these twenty-aix were taken in charge in ihe east, were the disuibince was quelled.

In all seventy-five persons were indicted in the riot, which was

largely due to the .presence of members of the League of Patriot?, Royalist, youths and anti-Semities. The rising was suppressed at midnight on Sunday. In the course of the fighting 850 persons were badly wounded. About 150 arrests have been inada. Several revolvers were seized by the authorities. Disturbances also occurred opposite an anti-Semitic club and the house in which M. Goerin& party is barricaded.