Amsterdam Riots TROOPS MAY BE NEEDED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 9

Amsterdam Riots TROOPS MAY BE NEEDED

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) THE HAGUE, June 16. Troops may have to be moved into Amsterdam to maintain order after three days of intermittent fighting between police and demonstrators.

The Dutch Government was reported to be considering declaring a state of siege in order to allow for the use of troops. The disturbances originated with demonstrations on Monday by building workers protesting against a deduction from their holiday bonus. But last night’s riots were largely the work of “provos” (provocateurs) long-haired anarchist youths—who roamed through the city centre hurling bricks through shop windows, uprooting parking meters, and trying to tear up tram lines. About 1500 police, armed with rifles and tear-gas grenades, made repeated charges to scatter the “provos,” who defended themselves behind hastily erected barricades of torn-up paving stones. The night’s rioting erupted in the Dam square outside the Amsterdam Royal palace about 10 p.m. when the white-

trousered youths stoned a police car. Amsterdam’s Burgomaster, Mr Gijsbert van Hall, broadcast appeals for all the Dutch to help police maintain order. Reinforcements were called to help the police whose strength already had been bolstered to 1500 men. On Tuesday, 16 police and 50 civilians were injured and 25 persons were arrested. Cars were wrecked, windows were smashed and looting broke out.

Wool Firm.—Under keen, widespread competition, values remained very firm on yesterday’s levels in the third and final day of the Adelaide wool sales today.—(Adelaide, June 16.)

Heat Wave. Sixty-three more heat wave deaths were reported for the 24-hour period up to last night in the West Bengal and Bihar States of Eastern India. This raised the total to 416 in the last two weeks. —Calcutta, June 16.