“AUX ARMIES.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 306, 29 November 1927, Page 8

“AUX ARMIES.”

WILD FRENCH SCENE.

PRISONER’S DEMANDS

LONDON, Nov. 12

A congress of war prisoners, comprising 634 delegates from various associations, ended in a tragic fiasco. It had assembled in order to form a single federation so as to be able to more effectively push their common grievances. M. Scapini, a blinded veteran, was elected president, while all the vicepresidents bore visible marks of their war wounds.

M, Scapini, in his presidential address, said that he believed that by uniting they would secure full compensation for their sacrifices. M. Marin, Minister for Pensions, said that they would be treated as fairly as financial limitations would allow.

The French President, M. Doumergue. congratulated *the delegates on their solidarity, blessed their work, and withdrew.

immediately hopefulness turned to despair and mockery. Certain delegates refused to hear M. Maginot, a former Conservative Minister, and began booing him. Stewards attempted to remove the rowdies, and someone started singing the Marseillaise. The tune was taken up like wildfire, when the singers reached the words, “Aux Armes Citoyens,” many belaboured tlieir opponents with sticks and umbrellas.