DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 249, 18 July 1942, Page 7

DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRANCE

Hostility To Vichy Regime

(British Official Wireless.) (Received July 17, .7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, July 16.

Shouting “Vive la Republique” and “Laval to the Gallows,” 100,000 demonstrators marched through streets black with people in celebration of Bastille Day in Marseilles, state reports which have reached General de Gaulle’s headquarters. The crowds were particular-, ly hostile outside the labour recruiting office for workers to Germany, and also in front of the headquarters of the Tricolor Legion and the military prison. As they passed the United States Consulate there were prolonged cries of “Vive I’Amerique.”

Some supporters of Doriot’s Fascist party opened fire on the crowd with tommy guns, killing two men and two women, and wounding six, including a child. The funeral of the victims, which had been arranged for July 17, has been cancelled by the police, evidently in fear of further demonstrations.

Thousands gathered at Chimbery shouting “Savoy is French.” and singing the Lorraine march and the “Marseillaise.” The police vainly tried to break up the crowd, and when the demonstrators clashed with members of Petain's Legion who tried to organize a counter demonstration, thejatter had to be taken into protective custody to protect them from the crowd, which waited for them oiltside the police station. They escaped by the back way.