The Paris correspondent of the Times described in Monday's paper
the notable change which has come over the methods of French trade unionism. At the Congresses which have just been held there has been hardly any talk of anti- militarism, of paralysing industry, or of the right to steal. A sane discussion of the professional interests of working men has taken the place of " insurrectionisme." One of the chief demands at present is for the " semaine anglaise," in other words, for a working week of five and a half days. This proposal has provoked the usual economic dispute whether fewer hours of labour are more productive hours. We may notice that anti-militarism in Paris is not by any means dead, as last Saturday there was a serious riot when the weekly tattoo was held in the north-eastern quarter of Paris. A military band marching through the streets is evidently not accepted by anarchists as the gratuitous entertainment it is meant to be. That may not very much matter except from the point of view of those who would rather have the dull streets of Belleville with a band than without a band. The important point is that the General Confederation of Labour is no longer ridden by anarchist leaders.
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