MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 379, 3 May 1910, Page 5

MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS

| SOCIALISTS IN HYDE PARK. QUIET ON THE CONTINENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, May 1. Owing to an overwhelming military display at Paris the Confederation of Trades Unions decided not to hold May Day celebrations. Forty thousand London Socialists demonstrated at Hyde Park. Rome, Berlin and Madrid remained tranquil. HUGE SOCIALIST DEMONSTRATION. Received May 2, 11.10 p.m. London, May 2. Two thousand children from fifty Socialist Sunday schools were included in the Hy<Te Park demonstration. The international platform speakers : included French, German, Hungarian,' and Russian Socialists. j Mr. Herbert Burrows, presiding, declared that the demonstrators were not merely asking an eight or a four hours day, but the formation of a great international commonwealth. Large Socialist meetings were held in many provincial towns. IN PARIS. A TRADES UNION MANIFESTO. TROOPS EMPLOYED. Received May 2, 11.10 p.m. ] Paris, May 2. After the French Premier had refused to authorise the May Day procession, twenty-two thousand troops were drafted into Paris. The Confederation of Trades Unions issued a manifesto claiming to be entitled to hold the procession, "but," it stated, "let us avoid massacres. The soldiers' orders include instructions: 'lf you don't wash to be shot, fire upon the I revolutionists first.'" j Many intending demonstrators resented the changed plans and denounced the organisers for their cowardice. Demonstrations were held in the French provinces, but were featureless. A bomb of a most dangerous character harmlessly exploded in front of the offices of tae Commissary of Alles. The perpetrators could not be traced.

IN ROME. EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS.. Received May 2. 11.5 p.m. Rome, May 2. Extraordinary May Day precautions were taken in Rome, owing to the strike of sixty thousand masons and bricklayers.