MEMBERS OF ALLEGED SECRET SOCIETY ON TRIAL IN PARIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1948, Page 6

MEMBERS OF ALLEGED SECRET SOCIETY ON TRIAL IN PARIS

PARIS, October 13. “ Fifty-five alleged members of the French secret society known as the Cagoulards went on trial yesterday in what may be one of France’s most sensational cases.” says the British United Press “They are charged with murder and with plotting to overthrow the French Government. “The police discovered the existence of the society on October 23, 1937, in a raid on the homes of wealthy Frenchmen, and seized a secret store of ammunition, as well as plans to seize power and assassinate the Prime Minister (Mr Leon Blum). The police quickly captured many members of the society, but so many influential persons were involved that the case did not reach the courts uhtil Ju1y,1939, and the war caused a postponement. “The accused are charged with murdering two Italian anti-Fascists on June 10, 1937. “Lawyers have been preparing the case for retrial since 1945. It is alleged that the Cagoulards wanted to set up dictatorship. It is expected that 400 witnesses will be called during the six weeks that the trial is ex- 1 pected to last. More than 100 lawyers crowded the courtroom of the Seine Assizes when the case opened.”