GRAVE SITUATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 35, 20 November 1937, Page 7

GRAVE SITUATION

THE PLOTTING IN FRANCE. DANGER OF SUDDEN REVOLT. STARTLING REVELATIONS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) PARIS, November 19. Startling revelations continue in regard to the Cagoulards plot. Mr Marx Dormoy (Minister of the Interior) said the situation is becoming hourly graver. A raid on the Rue Beausire revealed 1505 hand grenades, hundreds of machine-guns, rifles, converted shot-guns, and 100 sub-machine-guns were seized in two days. The police, breaking in a secret storeroom in the offices of a river transport contractor’s premises in' the Bastille area, found 54 cases of hand-grenades, 14 anti-tank guns, numbers of rifles, light and machine guns. The directors were arrested. It is revealed that the Surete is investigating 200 illicit radio stations over a wide range near barracks, frontiers, seaports and important airports. Emergency guards have been ordered to shoot all strangers entering Government buildings and not halting after two demands.

It is presumed that the arms were mostly smuggled across the Swiss frontier.

The Paris correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: “Police investigating the Cagoulards discovered a fourth arms depot. Two more have been arrested, making 11. A search was made of 450 houses throughout France. It is stated that the police are unearthing an organisation named the “Secret Revolutionary Militia,” formed of extremists from various militant leagues, which were dissolved last year. The police believes the hospital they discovered was intended for the treat-; ment of wounded in the event of a rising. They are investigating the activities of the doctors in the vicinity. Scenes of disorder caused the suspension of the session of the Chamber of Deputies. M. Chaippe, former Prefect of the Paris Police, accused the Communist Deputies of terrorist outrages in France, and with provoking bloodshed in North Africa.

A Communist leapt to his.feet shouting fiercely, and was preparing to charge his opponents opposite when M. Herriott suspended the sitting. The Minister for Finance (M. Georges Bonnet) reviewing the financial dangers, said that France must balance her budget or inflate. The Government preferred a balanced Budget and stability. MORE ARMS DISCOVERED. MINIATURE FORTRESSES. PARIS, .November 18. The machinations of the Cagoulards are unfolding hourly. The police overnight made further discoveries of miniature fortresses, arms dumps and radio stations. One of the most amazing finds was a perfectly-equipped hospital with an operating theatre. A well-stocked arsenal was unearthed in the house of an antiquarian, where also were found military equipment and brown leather uniforms all banded with royal blue. “Le Matin” says the police are attempting to discover who provided , the several millions of francs needed for the purchase and transport of the tons of arms already revealed, including 400 machine-guns of German make. RIFLES AND PISTOLS FOUND. j IN A CARGO OF PORT. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) PARIS, November 19. In connection with the Cagoulard investigation, excise officials at Lille, on examining a lorry-load of port, found several cases packed with ■ rifles and pistols.

AN UNDERGROUND FORTRESS.

LOCATED BY THE POLICE. (Received This Day, 12 Noon). PARIS, November 19. The police have discovered an tinderground fortress, and armed guards have been placed over the Bank of France, the President’s Palace, and the residences of Ministers.