The Fairfield Herald

The Creusot Labor Riots

Rioting seems to have become chronic among the miners and other workmen at Creusot, in France. It has again and again been necessary to call in the military. On Saturday the disturbance seems to have been quite serious. It was reported in Paris at noon that the disorders had been suppressed and that peace reigned. Later in the evening it was announced that the disturbance had increased and that additional troops had been sent thither. It was added that the troubles were kept alive by contributions of money from other countries. Creusot is one of the great centers of the iron trade in France. The district abounds with coal and iron, and the great factory owned by the Schneiders employs not fewer than ten thousand men. It would be wonderful if it proved true that foreign workmen, especially those of Great Britain, were helping to keep up the strike at Creusot by contributions of money. Living is cheaper in France than England. Men can be got to work for lower wages. French iron and steel can therefore be sold cheaper than those of Great Britain. If it be true that the strike at Creusot is the result of a European combination, it will only confirm what we have often repeated in these columns, that the railroad and telegraph have placed the workmen under entirely new conditions--conditions which render probably at no distant day the complete revolution of European society. Year by year it becomes more difficult for the monarchies and the oligarchies to keep down the fierce democracy. A European trade combination shows the possibility of a European political combination.