Algerian Rising May Flare Into Open War

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27666, 24 May 1955, Page 13

Algerian Rising May Flare Into Open War

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 820 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. The Algerian rising, now eight months old, is beginning to- pass from the stage of revolt into open war, the Paris correspondent of the “Daily Express” said today. “The French Government is realising that unless it is fought as a war France will be faced with another Indo-China on her doorstep. “More than one-quarter of France’s mobilised forces—--400,000 to 500,000 men—are now going into action to stamp out terrorist killings, kidnappings, and extortions. “A 17-year-old college girl, Josette Brousse, was seized in Sunday by armed men and forced to watch while they bound her father to a tree and shot him,” the “Daily Express” reported.

“The Governor-General, Mr Jacques Soustelle, at the week-end, warned the Arab Naionalists, who hope to drive the French out of Algeria, that they would be punished mercilessly if captured with arms.

“A gang attacked a village near French military headquarters at Batna in the foothills of the Aures mountains on Sunday. “The villagers killed 14 Arabs and the French landed reinforcements in helicopters to deal with the rest of the gang.” Reuter’s correspondent in Algiers reported that two European shopkeepers were seriously wounded in a night attack by an Algerian on Saturday night. The police shot down and seriously wounded the attacker as he fled. Sixty Outlaws Killed

Sixty outlaws were killed in the Aures region when a rebel band attacked the strongpoint of Kheirane, 60 miles east of Biskra. This strongpoint, situated between Nementcha and the Aures mountains, was occupied by Algerian riflemen who repulsed the rebels killing three without loss to themselves. They then signalled to the French Air Force. Groundstrafing aircraft were sent out and every remaining member of the outlaw band was killed, the Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reported. A wave of violence was reported over the week-end from all three territories comprising French North Africa. Outrages and renewed terrorist activity occurred in Algeria, Morocco and Tunis.

When fresh French forces arrive in Algeria they will bring to more than 100,000 the total of troops who have been trying to restore order since last November. The outlaws operate mainly in the Aures mountains and in the rocky triangle between Constantine, Phillipeville and El Milia. They have been joined by Algerian Nationalists who evidently have had tactical training. The French believe this may be acquired in camps in Arab countries. In Morocco, where the Nationalists had called on the people for “a night of destiny,” a European was shot dead in Casablanca while out walking with his wife.

Military and police patrolled through the night at Batna in Algeria, where a curfew was declared after a shop and a bus were set on fire. The police alleged arson. In Casablanca the police also blamed arson for a fire which broke but in a chemical factory. The nightwatchman was found bound near the factory gates. Terrorists struck again in Morocco early today as the approaching end of the month-long Moslem fast of Ramadan brought a threat of a new wave of violence in scattered attacks in Casablanca, Rabat, and Port Lyautey. A Moroccan was killed and 31 persons, including a French police inspector, were wounded. Euses were stoned in the Arab quarters of Casablanca, revolver shots were fired from a passing car at a group of Moroccans, and buildings were set on fire.

Most of the casualties were caused by a grenade exploding among a group of Moroccans on the fringe of the Arab quarter.