CELEBRATIONS IN ALGIERS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 11

CELEBRATIONS IN ALGIERS

Warning To Extremists ALGIERS, May 13. Thousands . of Moslems and small groups of Europeans assembled today in the huge forum in Algiers to re-enact the “fraternity” scene of last year’s May uprising which swept General de Gaulle to power. Music from military bands in the streets roused the people for the official May 13 celebrations—but the hard core of European “activities” are boycotting them. They are observing a “day of mourning” in protest against General de Gaulle’s Algeria policy. Massive security precautions were in force in the town. About 20,000 persons were massed on the forum for the day’s main ceremony, and a speech by the Government Delegate-Gen-eral (Mr Paul Delouvrier). Mr Delouvrier’s speech was regarded as amounting to an official “declaration of war” against the activists, and a sign that General de Gaulle considers he has enough support among both Europeans and Moslems on his Algerian policy to resist any extremist pressure. Mr Delouvrier told the crowd “Let us not become nervous because of the length of the struggle. Let the impatient ones, the incredulous, the dividers shut up or go. They play the game of the adversary.” About 15,000 persons turned out earlier today to watch a parade of 3000 troops, including units of former insurgents, who have rallied to the French side. They were reviewed from a command car by Mr Delouvrier. General Maurice Challe, Com-mander-in-Chief of French forces in Algeria, and General Jacques Massu, who holds civilian as well as military responsibilities in the Algiers region. In the forum, around a 60-foot high wooden tower topped by the Gaullist symbol of a cross of Lorraine and a waving tricolour, contingents of Moslems waved banners announcing the quarters of Algiers and the villages from which they came. Thbre was a large group from the Algiers Casbah (old Moslem town). Moslem women bearing portraits of General de Gaulle and “Algeria is French” banners faced the rostrum erected over the iron grille which the crowd stormed last May 13 to gain entry to Government House.