France Faces Possible Civil War

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29718, 11 January 1962, Page 13

France Faces Possible Civil War

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, January 10. France faces the possibility’ of civil war. The prospect ot more unrest over Algeria, the activities of terrorists and the Secret Army Organisation (OA.S.), unrest in the Regular Armj and the problems faced by the police are all seen as factors in a highly explosive situation. 1 he Paris correspondent of the “Daily Mail,” asking how much longer France will have to wait for civil war, remarks it is nearly reasonable to say that it has already begun.

"Wild reactionaries of the secret army operate their terrorism to the blind eye of authority goading their opponents into useless retaliation. The Regular Army waits in a permanent conci.t ion of potential revolt. •'The police approach hysteria.” The "Yorkshire Post” Pa is correspondent says: Tension Mounting "Tension has mounted in France since the Communist demonstrations m Parrs on Saturday against the rightwing Secret Army Organisation. “A putsch psychosis has been created after a series of plastic bomb attacks, thefts of arms and munitions, and acts of sabotage which have been interpreted as pointers to an imminent right-wing coup. ".Anxiety has been sharpened by reports that ex-Gen-eral Salan, leader of the 0.A.5.. is either in Belgium o: Luxembourg and that the Government is closely watching the northern frontier. "Hie possibility of civil war is much greater now than at any time in the past. "The Communists, who have been curiously silent for several years, made their first mass demonstration on political, as distinct from

social, matters on Saturday. Although they showed remarkable restraint, it is obvious that they now feel the time is ripe, and that they are strong enough once again to take the lead in opposition to the ultras. ‘The Socialists and other Left-wing parties are desperately trying to keep the initiative in resistance to a Right-wing coup, but the tactics of O.A.S. seemed deliberately designed to split France into two camps, with O.A.S. appearing in the role of champions against communism. “The non-Communist Leftwing is composed of so many rival political parties that it cannot hope either to provide an efficient force against a Right-wing coup or even a rally point for moderate opinion. "Discussions are now going on among non-Communist Left-wing parties for the formation of a ‘Self Defence Group' for the protection of Left-wing party headquarters and personalities.” Plastic Explosion A plastic charge exploded on Monday night inside the strongly-guarded new headquarters of the Government Delegate-General in Algeria at Rocher Noir, 30 miles from Algiers, usually well-

informed sources said today. No casualties were reported. The Delegate-General (Mr Jean Morin) and other French Government representatives moved from Algiers to the brand new buildings at Rocher Noir last autumn to get away from the turbulent atmosphere of Algiers. Monday night’s explosion was believed to be the work of die O-A.S. Pro-O.AB. cafes damaged by plastic explosions have put out collection boxes to pay for the damage. One cafe was reported to have collected about £715 from sympathetic Europeans in a day.