Paris Crowds Riot Over Army Bill

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 15, 1913:
Socialist Meeting of Protest Attacked by "Camelots of the King."
MANY INJURED IN FIGHT
1,000 Anti-Militarists Parade, Shouting "Down with War!" and Singing "l'Internationale."
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    PARIS, March 14.— The campaign organized by the Socialists against the army increase and reversion to the system of three years' service was marked to-night by serious riots in Paris. A meeting of protest against the projected army bill took place at the Manage du Panthéon, under the Presidency of Gabriel Seailles, the well-known professor of the Faculty of Letters. Among the speakers were several professors of the university and the well-known Socialist, Francois de Pressensé, President of the League of the Rights of Men.
    The "Camelots of the King," a Royalist organization, announced that they would organize a counter-manifestation. Toward 10 o'clock the Latin Quarter was filled with police and municipal guards. In the audience were some sixty "Camelots of the King." When the President rose to speak he was received by the latter with hissing and hooting and shouts of "We want Alsace! Down with Jaurés!" This was the signal for an indescribable tumult. The Socialists responding with "Down with war!" "Down with militarism!" made a rush for the Camelots. Sticks and fists were freely used in the struggle, which lasted for about ten minutes. Some thirty rioters on both sides were more or less seriously injured by blows with sticks. Five Camelots were taken home in carriages.
    Finally, the Camelots having been repulsed, the meeting was continued quietly. In the meantime a band of 500 Camelots marched from the Boulevards toward the Menage du Panthéon, shouting: "We want Alsace! Down with Jaurés!"
    Four hundred police prevented them from getting near the Menage, whereupon they sent a message to the Socialists inside, challenging them to meet them after the assemblage broke up.
    The Socialists took up the challenge, and, in spite of the efforts of the police, were able to form a column about 1,000 strong near the Panthéon. Singing their anthem, "l'Internationale," and shouting "Down with three years' service! Down with war!" they marched to meet the Royalists. They went down the Boulevard St. Michel to the river, but saw no signs of the enemy. Most of the latter had been dispersed by the police; those who remained were not prepared to fight.