PARIS RIOTING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 147, 18 March 1937, Page 11

PARIS RIOTING

Shot Narrowly Misses Prime Minister

SECRETARY INJURED Fascists and Popular Front Followers Clash GUARDS CHARGE CROWD By Telegraph— Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received March 17, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 17. Four people were killed and 200 injured, many seriously, in fierce rioting lasting two hours and a half between Fascists and supporters of the Popular Front in the industrial quarter of Clichy, a suburb of Paris. Stones, bottles, pieces of iron ami other missiles were freely used. There was also considerable firing, mostly from the windows of houses.

The injured include 50 police, and also the mayor of Clichy and M. Blumel, Secretary to the Prime Minister. M. Leon Blum. M. Blumel received revolver bullets in the armpit and right leg. Mobile Guards were called out and charged the rioters. The clash occurred when the French Social Party, formerly the Croix de Feu. endeavoured to hold a meeting in the Clichy Town Hall. Supporters of the Popular Front held a counter-de-monstration. The opposing factions quickly came to blows, despite efforts to prevent them made by the mayor. M. Blum, accompanied by M. Blumel. hurried to the scene, M. Blum himself urging the Popular Front followers to disband.

The rioting l>ecame more violent, however. One of the bullets hit M. Blumel. narrowly missing M. Blum. The Mobile Guards eventually restored order, but the area is still being patrolled. Many arrests were made.

On February 13. 193(>. when M. Blum was passing the crowds watching the funeral procession of M. Jacques Bainville, the academician, and one of the loaders of the Action Francaise. he was dragged from his motor-car and brutally maltreated by adherents of that party.

M. Saurraut. the Prime Minister, in the Chamber of Deputiee. denounced th" attack on M. Blum as monstrous, and all speakers, from the Left io the Right, expressed their indignation and demanded immediate measures against those responsible. The French Cabinet, at an emergency meeting, dissolved by decree the Action Francaise and bodies associated with it.