FRENCH NAVAL MUTINY

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 148, 23 June 1919, Page 6

FRENCH NAVAL MUTINY

BEGUN IN BLACK SEA. REFUSE TO FIGHT BOLSHEVIKS. OFFICERS NOT HARMED. (T\g Cable.—(Press Association.—Copyright.) PARIS, June 13 (delayed). The Chamber of Deputies to-day discussed recent happenings in the Black Sea Fleet. M. Meunier, who wont to Odessa at the request of the Navy Committee, said it was owing to Bolshevik protection that the French troops were able to leave Odessa safely. He declared thati military intervention in Russia was useless, Bolshevism being the settled, outcome of the country's internal conditions. Another deputy, M. Goude, stated that the officers on the French warships were not harmed. The red flag was hoisted at the mainmast of the warships, but the tricolour was left in ite usual place, and work proceeded on the vessels as usual. The men's delegate informed the admiral that they did not desire to be concerned in an unconstitutional war, preferring not to fight the Russian revolution, especially in view of the friendliness of civilians. After various incidents the admiral agreed that the fleet should leave the Black Sea within a fortnight, and that the men would not be punished, but granted two months' furlough. M. Goude added that feeling in the navy was etill far from good. Four hundred representatives of tho sailors met Admiral Lacaze at Toulon, and insisted that no punishment should be inflicted on those who refused to fight in tho Black Sea.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)