RIOT IN A PARIS THEATRE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11120, 12 January 1899, Page 3

RIOT IN A PARIS THEATRE.

WITNESSED BY PRESIDENT FAUEE AND RUSSIAN ROYALTY. Paris, December 7. An extraordinary scene occurred tonight at the opening of the new Opera Comique, which has been rebuilt in the place of the theatre of the same name, which was burned some ten or twelve years ago, the conflagration being attended by much loss of life. The house was crowded with all the rank and fashion of Paris, comprising the President of the Eepublic, and a number of members of the Imperial family of Russia, conspicuous among whom -were the Czar's uncle and aunt, the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess Vladimir. The President had scarcely taken his place in his state box with his imperial guest than a full-fledged riot ensued, part of tho audience shouting " Vive l'Armee," while the others were equally vociferous in their shouts in favor of Colonel Picquait. It would have been well enough bad they contented themselves with mere cries, but the people present worked themselves into such a state of excitement with their howls that they proceeded to blows, and a free fight ensued, upon which the Grand Duchess Vladimir looked down with amazement, the Grand Duke Vladimir with a sneer that he did not attempt to conceal, and President Faure with profound mortification. It was a scene such as one could see at the present moment nowhere save in France, and showed the Eussian Grand Duke how incompetent the Government here is to maintain order. It was not calculated to add to the value of the Franco-Russian alliance in tbe eyes of the illustrious Muscovite guests.