WORK STOPS IN FRANCE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 9

WORK STOPS IN FRANCE

ONE DAY STRIKE WORKERS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST FASCISM TROOPS GUARD VITAL POINTS I (rXl'l'KU VIIESS ASaoCUTIOS—BY ELECrp.IC TEUBORAI-H—COI'IaiGHT.) (Received February 12, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 12. The one-day strike in France arranged as a demonstration against Fascism started at midnight. Trade unionists had been picketing industrial plants throughout the night, and troops had taken up their posts at power stations and reservoirs to j prevent the possibility of sabotage. The early hours were not marked by serious incidents. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Mail" v as able to telephone to London at 3 o'clock, when lie reported that he had spoken to other French cities. Telegraph services, including the London-Paris lines, are, however,' seriously affected. The night oper-' ators ceased work and adjourned to neighbouring cafes, where they discussed the day's possibilities. Wireless services are not operating. "L'Humanite" published after midnight a special edition urging the workers to form strike pickets and assemble at 3 o'clock at Vineennes. Milk and bread supplies are being delivered in the normal way. LITTLE TRAFFIC IX STREETS MANY FACTORIES CARRY ON AI'THORITIKS AVOID DISPLAY OF FORCE (Received February 13, 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, February 12. Paris to-day lacks its most characteristic feature—the bustle of traffic and the hooting of taxis, which are replaced by the clatter of thousands of clerks, typists, and shop-girls walking to work. Many factories carrying on in spite of the persuasion of pickets, whom lorry loads of police are keeping in order, although obviously the authorities are avoiding a display of force. Troops are kept in barracks or are hidden in the courtyards of public offices, the Bank of France, and other buildings. Thick fog adds to the embarrassments of the restricted bus service, while the underground railway service runs only every halfhour. Clerks are acting as conductors, under police protection. Letters and telegrams are not delivered, theatres and cinemas are closed. "L'Action Francaise," the only newspaper printed, appears at intervals to indicate approval of the strike. The socialists and communists arc watching events, and it is believed that if they feel the workers are with them they may later start disturbances. It is expected that 20,000 will attend the demonstration at Vincennes. At Marseilles everything is at a complete standstill. ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO OPERATE PLANS FOR STRIKE COMMUNISTS AND POLICE CLASH IN BOULOGNE (Pieceived February 12, 9.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 12. Troops will operate the telephones to-day for official calls only. The Confederation of Labour claims that the strike will be the most impressive demonstration ever seen in Fiance. While factories, newspapers, postal services, tram, underground railway services and schools will be effected, railways, air services, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, water, f.as, electricity, and hospitals will all operate normally. Orderly anti-Fascist processions were held yesterday in Lyons, Marseilles, Lille. Metz. Nancy Bordeaux, Hoticn. Toulon, Rheims, and many smaller towns. The Government has stationed strong forces of police and troops to prevent disturbances. The only disorderly provincial demonstration yesterday was in Boulogne, where the police charged a communist procession, injuring many.