DAMAGE IN THE RIOTS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21085, 9 February 1934, Page 9

DAMAGE IN THE RIOTS

DOUBT ABOUT NUMBER KILLED | BITTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST GOVERNMENT (united mess association—by elictkic TELEGRAPH— COPYIUGHT.) (Received February 8, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 7. The number of deaths in the riots last night is still a matter of conjecture. "L'Action Francaise" says there were 50, "Le Journal" between 20 and 29, and the British United Press 16 or 17. The official casualty list shows six civilians killed, three Republican Guards missing, and 170 civilians, 180 police, 130 Republican Guards, and 100 Mobile Guards- wounded. It is believed that the three missing guards were thrown in the Seine and drowned during the night. The city is full of heartbreaking sights this morning. The Place do la Concorde is littered with iron bolts, (bricks, and lengths of iron piping. 'Street lamps are smashed, and escaping gas fills the air. The police state that 700 were arrested, of whom 40 have been detained. Some hospitals were so crowded that the injured lay in the corridors awaiting treatment. All accounts emphasise the ghastliness of the fighting. The hamstringing of police horses made the street slippery wtih blood, and the horses, maddened with fear and pain, chased around the Place de la Concorde, turning the streets into pandemonium. M. Eugene Frot (Minister for Labour) declared that the mob's spirit was unparalleled since the 1870 revolution, which produced the Third Republic. The Cabinet has decided to charge the ringleaders with treasonable activities, provocation to murder, and incendiarism.

Politicians Involved. Twenty magistrates working throughout the night took prisoners' depositions, which are believed to name several politicians and former premiers as the ringleaders. | Further accounts of the rioting disclose that the mob attacked famous places like Claridge's Cafe, and i Weber's, and looted all the shops in the fashionable thoroughfares in the neighbourhood of the Rue de ißivoli, the Rue Royale, and the Champs Elysees. All shops and Government buildings are now strongly guarded. M. Frot received a deputation ot returned soldiers and war victims, who presented a manifesto declaring anguish and indignation at last night's scenes. The manifesto adds: "The demonstrators were simply singing tae 'Marseillaise' and marching in the streets as a protest against the scandals daily revealed, when the Mobile Guard surrounded and repelled them, wounding and killing several without provocation." "It declares that the demonstrators were unarmed, but aftei provocation they will come to-night ready to defend themselves Reports describe the desperation with which the war veterans belonging to the Fiery Cross, in spite of heavy casualties, incessantly assailed the police amid roars of execration a s their comrades fell under police bullets. "The police have dared to fire on returned soldiers and have killed our comrades. We must get our rifles." shouted the mob.

Outcry Against Government Columns of war veteransmatched along the boulevards shouting. T murderers must resign, Down with Daladier." The Government threatens the immediate suppression of attempts to hold mass meetings. .Many ot the troops have been withdrawn, but all Government buildings are heavily guarded. A thick tog now adds a si nstcr aspect to the scenes of destruction. Many newspapers voice the P U £! )C indignation at the "massacres." The "Echo de Paris" denounces M. Daladier for provoking civil war, using the pretext of a plot against the State. , "Le Matin" declares The Chamber's session was a repulsive spectacle, the deputies acting on the twin impulses of fear and wrath, while the rioters threatened to storm the building. The Government, in appealing for peace, should set an example of peace." "Le Petit Parisien" asserts that the police fired 1000 shots in defence of the Chamber alone. M. Frot issued a statement that the forces responsible for law and order were not prepared last night for the tremendous struggle tney I had to face, but the necessary measures have now been taken. GIRL WHO SAVED SITUATION POLICEMEN KISSED CROWD'S ANGER TURNS TO { LAUGHTER (Received February 8, 10.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 7. There was some firing in the boulevards of Paris before midnight yesterday. A pretty young Partsienne saved the situation in the Place de la Concorde when she ran out from the angry mob rushed to the police, and implanted kisses on IhV faces of a dozen astonished gendarmes, shouting. "I love strong men." The effect was electrical.) Angrv cries were replaced b> i laughter and cheers. j CAUSES OF CRISIS ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS A BIG FACTOR A BRITISH ANALYSIS (Received February 9, 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, February 8. The Times," discussing the situation in France, says the manifestation of popular discontent was political, but underlying the disgust at corruption and fraud was a