The Indianapolis Journal

RIOT AND BLOODSHED IN CHILI

Valparaiso Pillaged by Mobs of Strikers and Many Persons Killed in the Streets.

Armed with Pick-Handles and Crazed by Drink, They March Through the City, Demolishing Buildings and Assaulting People.

Days and Nights of Anarchy in Which the Authorities Were Powerless.

Finally Quelled by the Military After Many Rioters Had Been Shot Down--Opening of the British Trades-Union Congress.

VALPARAISO'S GREAT RIOT.

Details of the Recent Outbreak in Chili's Chief Port--Bloodshed and Pillage.

Panama, Aug. 25.--The following account is given of the recent rioting that characterized the strikes at Valparaiso, Chili: "With attentive ears we have been listening to the noise made by the revolutionary masses gathered under our balconies, and which threaten our paper with destruction. At the same time our eyes are fixed on the desolate spectacle presented by Valparaiso since midday yesterday, at which hour all doors were closed, and aggressive mobs have been shouting, assaulting, wounding, ill-treating and sacking, and briefly we will recount what has passed. It was early known that the launchmen and stevedores had struck, and that they had threatened to attack the custom-house, the workmen in which were compelled to join the mob. The strikers demanded payment in coin--not in notes--and this demand caused the doors of the custom-house to close--a step which was promptly followed throughout the city. Pickhandles and handles of other tools were obtained, and armed with these the mob proceeded to the iron-works of Lever, Murphy & Co., where they did immense damage. On the wharf the fires in the steam winches were extinguished. At 1 P. M. a number of citizens requested the authorities to act. But meanwhile the mob had swept through the city, plundering stores, shops, drinking places and warehouses, and carrying off everything portable. At some places rifle-shots were fired, but as the cartridges were soon exhausted the defenders had to leave the property at the mercy of the mob. Meanwhile the police were assembled in strong force at the very spot where no mob was to be seen. Two hours after these disorders had occurred, and after eighty had been wounded and some twelve killed, the authorities determined to send out artillery and infantry pickets and defend the Intendent's and other public offices. "As the day closed the streets were filled with people, and everything indicated that rough scenes were about to occur. The Union printing office was soon attacked, and the mob had to be driven off. The Intendent made a speech to the mob from the roof of a car, and promised to meet the employers and endeavor to persuade them to accede to the terms of the strikers, and the latter moved off to other places, their numbers swelling. At the Bellavista station one of the mob hoisted a red flag on a pole, and from that moment this flag was the banner of the movement. At 1 P. M. the mass moved to Victoria square, and here it divided into three separate bodies, which took different directions. One body, about six hundred strong, marched through Victoria street, throwing stones at the houses. Branches were torn from the trees, and wherever it was believed work was in progress, the mob halted and were joined by the workmen. This step was first adopted at the macaroni factory of Plumb & Co., then at the German bakery, and then in some ten or twelve other establishments, until the Mercadal Church was reached. Afterwards the mob, by this time numbering some twelve hundred persons, moved towards the Estero de las Delicias. On passing a bakery in Tivoli street, stones were thrown at the windows and doors, and the workmen were called upon to leave. Some fifteen shots were fired from the bakery, and it is said twelve were wounded. Only when the shots ceased was the house broken into, and then a scene of pillage followed which can scarcely be described. A cigar shop and a wholesale store were sacked. After an hour had elapsed a picket appeared, only to ask the plunderers to withdraw, and as they did not do so the soldiers withdrew and the plundering continued. "Meanwhile similar and even worse scenes were being enacted in the Baron quarter. The railroad shops were destroyed and their contents thrown into the sea. The female car-drivers' house was demolished. The agency of the Baron was sacked and Ewin's biscuit factory was destroyed. During this attack a young girl employed in the establishment, frightened by the mob, threw herself from a window, breaking a leg and injuring her head. The sack of the National biscuit factory had not terminated when a picket arrived, and, the mob not retiring, opened fire, killing one of the rioters and wounding four others. But this did not frighten the mob, which had rapidly increased in numbers. Cries, whistles, threats, yells in favor of the populace and of 'Death to the rich and the pretenders,' proved no thought of dispersing as yet had entered the minds of the rioters, while they were again joined by other mobs which came down from the hills. "By 4 o'clock the mob mustered at least 10,000 and although repeatedly charged by the police, who employed sabres, the charges proved ineffectual, although they again left some twenty on the ground. Viewed from the beach the scene on the hill was truly horrible and exciting, as the police were to be seen, sabres in hand, charging here and there. The mob offered some resistance and wounded a policeman, but order was temporarily restored with the assistance of a reinforcement of two fresh pickets and by stationing another company of artillery near the Baron railway station. By 5 P. M. the mob had almost disappeared to the drinking shops and groggeries. "At the time the foregoing scenes were being enacted, many others of similar class were in progress in other parts. In Maipu street Carabajal's bakery, the factory of Zolezzi & Co. and the fire engine-house were plundered. The fifth firemen's company was attacked, and one of the members wounded, yet the intendente would render no assistance, although requested to do so, and the firemen, consequently, defended themselves. At 7 P. M. a body of policemen charged on the mob and made five prisoners. At the same time a band of rioters passed through Victoria street, smashing doors, windows, lamps, etc., and crying 'pillage, pillage.' They plundered many houses situated on Delicias, and there was not a single soldier there. In San Juan De Dios, Esmeralda and Cochrane streets not a lamp remains. During the night the streets were patrolled by troops. The Agencia Sultana, in Independencia street, was sacked, although the owner had asked for assistance. At 8 P. M. the Intendant's doors were closed, and after that hour he attended to no call for assistance. At 7 P. M. cavalry pickets made several charges in the Almendral, where stores were being sacked. In Condell street the mob attacked some jewelry stores, among them being that of Cohen Leon, and destroying the show-cases and windows. A picket arrived after all was over in this district. "At 9:30 P. M. a train arrived with a battalion commanded by General Valdivieso, and subsequently a corps five hundred strong. General Valdivieso, directly he arrived, rode through the city with his escort and a picket of cavalry. The intend ent and the commander of police had almost fraternized with the strikers. "On the hills around Valparaiso many outrages and robberies have been committed. At Santiago somewhat similar rioting occurred at the session of deputies."