RIOTS AT MARSEILLES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4158, 18 August 1881, Page 4

RIOTS AT MARSEILLES.

Tho arrival at Marseilles of tho first batch of French troops on their return from Tunis, gave rise to a riot on June 17, which did nofc end without bloodshed and loss of life. The brigade was fchafc of General Vincendon. Thousands of people turned oufc to welcome the soldiers home, and all the leading inhabitants displayed flags and banners. The troops marched through fche town to barracks, the bands playing the "Marseillaise," and the crowd cheering and singing. Everything passed off peaceably till the Quai du Port was reached. Hero some hissing was heard. Looking up, the spectators perceived —at least they allege ao— that the hisses proceeded from tho balcony of the National Italian Club, whioh had neglected to put out its flag. Indignant protests were raised, and there were cries of " Vive I' Armee," and " Vive la Franco." The troops continued their march.but the orowd gathered round the Club, which is on the firat floor of the house, and demanded instant reparation. They cried out " Down with the escutcheon," alluding to the signboard of the Club. Others still more enraged shouted, "Down with the flagstaff." Meanwhile, M. Poubelle, the Prefect, arrived, and tried to calm the rioters by promising fchem thafc full justice should be done. Bufc he appealed in vain. Several Municipal Councillors also mado an attempt to restore order, but wifch no better succeßß. The crowd insisted on tho escutcheon being taken down, and while the authorities were discussing what they should do, two youths climbed up on to the balcony, and were jusfc aboufc fco destroy fche objectionable aignboard when tho police stopped them. M. Gallian, fcho Commissary of Polico, went to fche President of fche Club, and advised him to remove it, bufc he refused. The mob had now lost all patience, and was on the point of storming the house, when the Municipal Councillors appeared on the balcony, and, after a good deal of trouble, succeeded in wrenching off the escutcheon, amid the enthusiastic applause and groans of the people. " Citizens," exclaimed M. Golu, one of the Councillors, "satisfaction has now boen given to you • diaperse yourselvoa and go home ; Vive la Eepublique." The orowd continued to loiter aboufc the Club, shouting and gesticulating. The troops were then called out to clear the place. One gendarme, finding himself 'surrounded by hostile band 8, drew hia bayonet. A general melSe followed, and a fight between the mob and soldiery was only averted by the energotic interference of the municipal authorities. Ihe rioters, having exhausted their indignation, gradually withdrew. M. Louis Oddo, President of the National Italian Olub, has since written to the papers to deny that the hisses proceeded from their balcony. He eays he was nob aware that the troops would march through tho town, or he would have ordered the Italian flag to be hoisted. He asserts thafc the hisses wore raisod by tho crowd, probably on account of tho absence of tho flag. He proteate against tho destruction of their signboard, and states, in conclusion, thafc no member of tho Olub took part in tho disturbance. The riot which took placo on tho entrance of the troops ought; fco have pufc them on their guard ; but in apito of all these warnings they appear to havo allowod the city to have remained practically iu tho hands of a mob which hunted down all isolated Italians tbey met in the streets. Tho Italians, on thoir aide, banded together, and seem to havo pursued iaoloted Frenchmen and used thoir knives freely. All this time a atrong forco of infantry and cavalry was under arms ; but tho authorities do not appear to have seen their way to using them for tho enforcement of order. Tho riot did not end before eight peoplo had been killed and 20 wounded.