RIOTING IN MADRID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 425, 17 November 1930, Page 7

RIOTING IN MADRID

DEATHS AT A FUNERAL POLICE FIRE ON CORTEGE STRIKERS CREATE HAVOC UGLY POSSIBILITY SHOWN {By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.] Received Nov. 16, 8-30 p.m. MADRID, Nov. 15. There was an amazing sequel tu the death of four labourers through the collapse of a house, allegedly due to faulty construction and material. All building trade workers struck work to attend the funeral, and formed with others, a procession of 50,000 people. Police barred the way through the central streets and during the confusion due to an attempt on the part of the crowd to force progress, the police fired a volley of bullets which whistled past the wreathed coffins. The crowd fled, leaving the cortege until order was restored, when the funeral edFour were killed and 30 wounded. Situation Develops A tense situation developed following the declaration of a lightning general strike, as a protest against the police firing on the crowd attending tha funeral- Among the injured were three newspapermen. Forty thousand downed tools, the strikers taking drastic action against workers refusing to obey the strike order. They to.e up flagstones and heaped mon the tram hues. laxi cabs disappeared and most of the shops closed. Those remaining open, including big departmental stores, had their win dows smashed. The strikers over turned the stalls in the market place and molested and frightened children going to school. They nearly strippet a rather eccentrically dressed woman. Students enjoyed parading the streets, adding to the confusion. Matters became uglier m the after noon, wh.-n police protecting peaceful citizens frequently came into conflict with the strikers, who were attacking private motor cars. Doctors were only able to travel bv affixing red crosses to the radiators of their cars. Troops guarded the mail vans. The electricity, water, and gas employees came out on strike, fur - hours. To-morrow the theatres, cafes and cinemas will be closed and news paners are not expected to publish. • It is generally felt that the situation is full of unpleasant possibilities, as the calling of the strike was without notice and was tantamount to a rc volutionary move-