FRENCH STRIKE FAILURE

Grey River Argus, 2 December 1938, Page 7

FRENCH STRIKE FAILURE

MAJORITY OF UNIONISTS Remain at Work [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] PARIS, November 30. Early reports indicated that the Confederation of Labour’s orders for a general strike to-day largely failed in the capital, although more successful in the provinces. The situation in Paris was almost normal at 10 a.m., with buses, taxis and underground trains running, and people going to work as usual. Only a small percentage of postal- and telephone workers obeyed the strike order. The strike,. swung into action at Paris at 4 p.m. yesterday, eight hours' ahead of schedule, with a walk-out of photographers and operators of the “Paris Soir;” This 'was followed at 5 p.m. by what was claimed to be a 100 per cent, stoppage at Maison Hachette —the great newspaper distributing agents of Paris. Gendarmes and Mobile Guards took up. their positions on the sidewalks outside, these buildings. Round the corner at the theatre doors crowds'queued up for a performance of “Carmen” at the Opera Comique. The offices of the Communist newspaper “Humanite” were closely guarded by workers, who carefully scrutinised each visitor.

Ten thousand Mobile Guards ,were stationed at strategic points near the working-class quarters. The city was : encircled by 40,000 troops, including Cenegalese and Spahis, with tanks and armoured cars in readiness. Troops moved into key positions throughout the country and occupied power stations, gas-w’orks and telephone exchanges. . ■ This morning the trains started running to schedule. The underground railways opened at 5 a.m. with soldiers on the platforms. The telephone exchanges are operating normally. LATER. The Paris cafes and shops are open.. The . Underground Workers’ Association cancelled the strike order at 8 a.m. The Ministry of Public Works reports that the national railways are nearly normal. LONDON, November 30., A later Paris message states that the strike was a complete failure. The Confederation of Labour admitted it was broken in the Paris area, owing to the requisition order.

M. Sarruat stated the situation was quiet, and all services were operating.

Outside Paris PUBLIC SERVICE 90 PER CENT. NORMAL. LONDON, November 30. The first reports from the French provinces reveal that the public services are 90 per cent, normal. Banks, insurance companies,.- railways, law courts, Parliament , and the city appeared normal. Trains and buses were functioning as usual, ignoring the Confederation’s orders. The general impression is that the workers bowed under the threat of militate action and this reduced the strike to a fiasco. All services are operating. Only one-fourth are striking in the steel industry, wherein the most complete stoppage, was expected. The only complete strike was at the Alsace potash mine. Twenty railwaymen were arrested. Five thousand of the 30,000 Renault workers resumed. The miners’ strike in the .Valenciennes area is reported to be nearly 100 per cent, effective. At Valenciennes plants, shops and markets are closed. Mobile Guards clashed with demonstrators trying to release six arrested. The dockers at Marseilles are working, but the city is without trams and taxicabs.

There was a tense situation at Marseilles where black troops are guarding the railway stations, public buildings and bridges. Only a few trains are running. Street transport was brought to a standstill, when workers arrived at the depots but refused duty. The Folkestone-Boulogne crossChannel cargo services are dislocated. Lille and Lyons report calm. Al Lille, hundreds of strikers stopped three tramcars. Using spades, looted from an ironmonger's shop, they smashed the windows and injured ten passengers. The Gardfe Mobile placed a cordon round the area. Mounted troops charged and fifty arrests were made. Mdny were injured on both sides. At Tdulouse, two thousand attempt- ( ed to raid a department store. The* police intervened, resulting in a serious clash.

CONFEDERATION’S ADMISSION. LONDON, November 30. The Associated Press Paris special correspondent reports that two million are striking which is less than half the membership of the Confederation of Labour. They are confined mainly to mines and heavy industries and dockers. M. Johaux, Secretary-General of the Confederation of Trades Unions Executive, said: “There Was a complete stoppage for two hours. Owing to the military measures, We have not contested the resumption of Work.” PARIS ARRESTS. PARIS, November 30.. Official: 495 arrests were made in Paris; 80 will the charged with attempts to impede work. . The police arrested a number of pickets near Montparnasse station. Twenty railway men were arrested. The majority of the 1 495 arrested in Paris during the day Were released at night, after verification of identity. Daladier Satisfied STOCK EXCHANGE RECOVERY PARIS, November 30. “I am satisfied,” declared M. Daladier. “I never doubted that the civil servants would remain at their posts.” , , The Bourse-was strong, renters equities were marked up and there was a heavy influx of expatriated funds. ‘ M. Daladier, in a broadcast to-night, ( claimed tliat by the failure of the.

strike, the country had shown confidence in the Government. “I said I would make the authority of the State respected. It.has been respected. The people knew their liberties were not endangered by the Government’s social laws. They . knew their liberties ■ were only endangered by disorder and lack of discipline. Trade union liberty itself demanded restraint. The people had proved that democracy could prevent disorder. The world now knew France had triumphed over internal uncertainty, and Was stronger than before.’* He concluded that the Government’s role would be conciliation and cooperation between the employers and the workers.

GOVERNMENT’S POSITION STRONGER. LONDON, November 30. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says: To-day’s fiasco resulted in strengthening M. Daladier’s authority throughout the country. The Government is now in a better position to apply M. Reynaud’s three-year financial plan, and conduct international negotiations. ■' - LONDON, November 30. The “Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says that M. Daladier has de.monstrated the requisition weapon can be used against employers, as well afc’ the workers. On hearing that the Michelin Company had closed, their works, he ordered the requisitioning of the works, guaranteeing employment to thousands. ;