SENSATIONAL REPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 23128, 30 November 1938, Page 11

SENSATIONAL REPORTS

FRENCH INDUSTRIAL CRISIS FLEET ORDERED TO PORT TO MAINTAIN ORDER ALL PUBLIC SERVICES MOBILISED ON WAR BASIS (Independent Cable Service.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Coyprigh’ PARI&, November 29. (Received November 30, at 8 a.m.) Sensational reports are current that the French fleet has been ordered to port to help maintain order and essential services. The crews will be despatched to Paris and other big centres in case of trouble.

The ‘ Journal Official ’ has published a decree applying the law of November 7, 1935, mobilising all public services on a war basis, obliging workers to attend their posts just as though war bad been declared. i

President Lebrun yesterday received General Gamelin (Chief of the French General Staff). MEDIATION EFFORTS

TO BE MADE BEFORE ZERO HOUR LONDON, November 29. The Paris correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says there is reason to believe that the confederation leaders would welcome an opportunity of calling off the strike if it were possible without loss of face. Efforts at mediation are certain to be made before Wednesday. INSTRUCTIONS TO POLICE (Independent Cable Service.) PARIS, November 29. M. Daladier despatched telegrams to the police chiefs throughout France ordering them to take strict action against any Civil servant failing to work, and ordering a list of all absentees to be notified by telegram to him. The police must also report all propaganda campaigns advocating a stoppage. GERMANY WATCHING SITUATION (Independent Cable Service.) BERLIN, November 29. The. Nazis are anxiously watching the French strike situation, as it is realised that a setback to M, Daladier would destroy all possibility of a fourPower pact for a long time. Meanwhile no date has yet been named for Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit to Paris.

GRAVEST DOMESTIC CRISIS SINCE THE WAR STRICT ANTI-STRIKE MEASURES PLANNED PARIS, November 29. (Received November 30, at 11 a.m.) Facing the gravest domestic crisis since the Great War, the Government has announced a series pf the strictest measures to meet the strike to-morrow.

M. Daladier has claimed far-reaching powers, including the requisitioning of every citizen, private organisations, railways, shipping, and airways, in the official ruling for the application of a war-time emergency, to which the majority of members of the Cabinet agreed. The Government has commandeered all mines and cognate industries in Alsace and has requisitioned law courts’ staffs. Tanks and armoured cars are standing by in various areas throughout France to deal with trouble.

The first rioting occurred at Valenciennes, where strikers attempted to prevent workers from entering factories. Mobile guards intervened and wounded and arrested several pickets. Troops have occupied several of the Valenciennes factories.

Four hundred strikers, under the leadership of the Communist deputymayor, seized the Public Hall at Marly. Strikers sabotaged buses to prevent their use in transporting workers tomorrow.

M. Daladier, reporting to President Lebrun, declared: “Harmful propaganda attacking the laws and endeavouring to agitate the country, thereby risking a serious compromise in public order, is Laving a dangerous effect on the foreign situation. The Government is determined to maintain the necessary order.” The Government ordered legal proceedings against M. Jarrigan and M. Senard, joint secretaries of the Railways Union, who circularised branches, urging a strike. . THE NATION'S FINANCES BUDGET SHOWS ESTIMATED SURPLUS. PA&IS, November 29. (Received November 30, at 2 p.m.) M. Reynaud tabled the Finance Bill for 1939, showing, after rigorous pruning, a surplus of £1,500,000. The Bill reveals that France will spend £160.000,000 more on armaments than in 1938. The yield from the increase in direct taxes is expected'.to amount

to £28,000,000, and from the increase in indirect taxes to £23,500,000.

M. Reynaud anticipates that the new policy will encourage revival of trade, resulting in an increase in revenue of £35,000,000. CLASH AT RAISMES MANY FOREIGNERS ARRESTED PARTS, November 29. (Received November 30, at 1 pan.) The whole of Franco to-night, until the agitation ceases, is under military control, virtually on a wartime footing. The Government has freely requisitioned property and labour throughout the nation, which means that the strikers are liable to heavy x )ena lfi es - Everybody knows these cannot be inbictsd on huge masses. Nevertheless fear is a potent weapon.

The Government has actually set the law in motion against officials oi the Railwaymen’s Union for issuing sttike orders after the promulgation of the decree'requisitioning the railways, hut there has been no effect thus far on the union’s determination to carry on the strike.

The Government is ready for any emergency. Troops, reinforced by tanks and armoured cars, are drawn up on the parade ground of the military school in the centre of Paris.

Troops are heavily guarding 200 factories at Valenciennes and elsewhere. A clash with the police occurred at Raismes, where 1,000 people attempted to free six who were arrested for trying to prevent men going to work. The police arrested many foreigners for spreading propaganda in the mines and factories.

M. Jouhaux has received a telegram from the British Independent Labour Party expressing solidarity. The management of the Renault works stated that the strikers had caused £II,OOO damage and were losing £33,000 iu wages daily.