Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1920 — ANTI-BRITISH RIOTS IN N. Y. [ARTICLE]

ANTI-BRITISH RIOTS IN N. Y.

Mob, Aroused by Display of Union Jack, Battles Members of Police Force. DNiUN CLUB IS AnACKED Windows Ar» Smashed and FurnishInga Ruined Following Memorial Masa in St. Patrick's Cathedral for MacSwinoy. fiew York, Nov. 20.—Reserves from every precinct iu Manhattan were called upon to restrain a mob that wus intent on sacking the Union club on Fifth uveuue and Fifty-first street because the club flew a British flag. For a time It appeared the police would pot be able to cope with the rioters without resorting to drastic measures, so the fire department was called upon to bring up hose to cool the ardor of the mob. The fire fighters had hardly arrived, however, when the police gained the upper hand und drove the manifestants blocks away. The hose was not used. Club Furnishings Ruin'.d. Following the smoke of battle, It wus discovered that nearly every window in the Union club building hud been biuken and that paintings, hangings ami ether furnishings tn the interior hud ?evu ruined. Seine time before the start of the rlof the club had been requested to remove the British flag. It had been placed upon the building along with the trl-color of France, with the Stars und Stripes between the two. The club did take in the British emblem, but It was put back again later, and thia action drew the ire of the .‘rioters. The riot broke out immediately hfter memorial muss In St. Patrick’s cathedral for Terence MacSwlney, late lord mayor of Cork and hunger striker. A large number of those who had

h«W»rd the mew toot part m me stormy scene and there was a dramatic touch when Monsignor Lavalie, still dad In the vestments of his office, up poured on the steps of the citnrch and pleaded In vain with the throng to desist In the attack on the dub, which Is directly across ths street from the cathedral. Other priests joined the monsignor in his efforts to restore order, but the fighting spirit had been worked up to great proportions. Watches as Missiles. Everything that could be handled was thrown at the club. Most of the missiles had been procured from the Hotel Ambassador, which is in process of construction at Fifty-first street ’and Park avenue. Stones and bolts were hurled and some of the riotera, running short of ammunition, actually hurled their watches at the club windows. Several of the watches later were picked up from the litterstrewn pavement. In nil. 2<M) police reserves were summoned ‘immediately after the demonstration started. In addition, the police authorities made hurried calls on patrol wagons and ambulances. As the heat of battle grew and the banked police could do little, emergency details of mounted police and motorcycle officers were brought up. The riot was in progress for about nn hour, but fortunately no one was seriously Injured, though a number of the policemen proved targets for the missiles. Four arrests were made.