STRIKES TAKE UGLY TURNS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21813, 19 June 1936, Page 11

STRIKES TAKE UGLY TURNS

POLITICAL CLASHES IN

FRANCE FIGHTS IN STREETS OF MARSEILLES POLICE FAIL TO DISPERSE RIOTERS (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 18, 7.5 p.m.) PARIS, June 17. The strike situation in Marseilles has taken an ugly turn and has assumed a political complexion with the intervention of the Young Patriots and other Right organisations.

Many dashes occurred with members of the Front Popul ire, Yo tns of the Right and Left, wearing tricolour cockades or red brassards, marched through the streets shouting war cries. Reinforcements joined both sides and fighting began. . , , Passengers left the trams and public vehicles and joined in, holding up all traffic. Mobile guards separated the combatants, but bands reformed in other places and resumed hostilities.

The Right rioters took refuge in a disreputable gambling house. Six of the habitues barred the gate and prepared to defend the building with revolvers. Members of the Front Populaire attacked the premises, and mobile guards intervened, but the crowd, after an exchange of missiles, refused to disperse.

The Senate has passed bills permitting indemnities to civil servants, exempting returned soldiers’ pensions from taxation, and granting paid holidays to workers. Strikers still idle in Paris number 50,000 to 60,000. The situation is no better in Marseilles and worse "at Lyons, St. Chamond, Angers, Larochelle, Le Havre, and Mulhouse. FIERY CROSS AGAIN LEADER’S MANIFESTO PARIS, June 17. The Fiery Cross organisation, of which little has been heard during or since the elections, has re-entered the political field. The leader, Colonel de la Roque, has issued a manifesto stating: “Now that French unity is endangered, we declare ourselves a political body above parties or factions.” The manifesto describes Germany as “effervescent,” Russia as “revolutionary,” and Europe as “unbalanced,” and it says: “In the face of immediate perils, the public weal must be protected.” The manifesto does not indicate the nature of the action which is being taken. BELGIAN STRIKES WORKERS’ DEMANDS CONCEDED END EXPECTED ON JUNE 22 BRUSSELS, June 18. The strike at Liege took a grave turn when the strikers attempted to raid an arms factory. The police drove them off and arrested 15. Gangs then attempted to stop the traffic in the city, and interfered with pedestrians, necessitating repeated police charges. The strikes are spreading elsewhere, and all transport services, with the exception of the railways, are threatened.

The strikes are nearing the capital. Five hundred metallurgical employees in the suburb of Ruysbroeckham ceased work. The authorities announce that foreigners participating in the agitations will be expelled. Liege resembles a beleagured city. The tram and taxi services have been stopped, and the use of bicycles has been prohibited in order to frustrate the speedy assemblage of strikers.

Twelve thousand textile workers °f Ghent have left the looms, factories in the Verviers area are stopping, and heavy industries in Charleroi have been brought to a standstill.

A conference under the presidency of the Prime Minister (M. Paul van Zeeland) between the employers an .d trade unionists, agreed upon a minimum wage and six days’ paid holidays anually. The 40-hour week was later conceded, and the resumption of work is expected on June 22,

AN EIGHT HOUR DAY IN MOROCCO

MINIMUM WAGE FOR NATIVE WORKERS (Received June 18, 11.45 p.m.) CASABLANCA, June 17. Workers in the sugar refineries have resumed work. The metal and paint factories are still idle. The establishment of an eighthour day and a minimum wage for native workers have been approved.